Todd Rundgren
Born: 1948-06-22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Todd Harry Rundgren (born June 22, 1948) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the band Utopia. He is known for his sophisticated and often unorthodox music, his occasionally lavish stage shows, and his later experiments with interactive entertainment. He also produced music videos and was an early adopter and promoter of various computer technologies, such as using the Internet as a means of music distribution in the late 1990s. A native of Philadelphia, Rundgren began his professional career in the mid 1960s, forming the psychedelic band Nazz in 1967. Two years later, he left Nazz to pursue a solo career and immediately scored his first US top 40 hit with "We Gotta Get You a Woman" (1970). His best-known songs include "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw the Light" from Something/Anything? (1972), which get frequent air time on classic rock radio stations, and the 1983 single "Bang the Drum All Day", which is featured in many sports arenas, commercials, and movie trailers. Although lesser known, "Couldn't I Just Tell You" (1972) was influential to many artists in the power pop genre. His 1973 album A Wizard, a True Star remains an influence on later generations of bedroom musicians. Rundgren is considered a pioneer in the fields of electronic music, progressive rock, music videos, computer software, and Internet music delivery. He organized the first interactive television concert in 1978, designed the first color graphics tablet in 1980, and created the first interactive album, No World Order, in 1994.[1][5] Additionally, he was one of the first acts to be prominent as both an artist and producer. His notable production credits include Badfinger's Straight Up (1971), Grand Funk Railroad's We're an American Band (1973), the New York Dolls' New York Dolls (1973), Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell (1977) and XTC's Skylarking (1986).
Filmography
2021
- The Sparks Brothers as Self
- Fanny: The Right to Rock as Self
- 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self
- Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self
2020
- Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Live From The Peekskill Performing Arts Center, Peekskill, NY 11-18-2011 as Himself (Guitar & Vocals)
- Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Live From The Highline Ballroom, New York, January 29, 2011 as Himself (Guitar & Vocals)
2019
- The 27 Club as Professor
2018
- Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Live At The Chicago Theatre as Producer Sing and Songwriter
2015
- Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell as Self - Producer, Bat Out of Hell
2014
- Japanology Plus as Self - Guest
- Decker as Ambassador Zultan (voice)
2013
- Ringo at the Ryman as himself
2010
- Todd Rundgren: Todd as Himself
2009
- Meat Loaf: Bat Out Of Hell - The Original Tour ... (Producer)
2006
- The Harry Smith Project Live as Self
2005
- Squidbillies ... (Theme Song Performance)
2004
- Utopia: Live in Boston 1982 as Producer Sing and Songwriter
2003
- Utopia Live in Columbus, Ohio 1980 as Producer Sing and Songwriter
1999
- Classic Albums: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell as Self - Record Producer and Musician
1997
- Classic Albums as Self - Record Producer and Musician
- Behind the Music as Self
1996
- Aliens in the Family ... (Theme Song Performance)
1995
- Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey as Self – Musician and Producer
1994
- Dumb and Dumber ... (Original Music Composer)
- Grok Gazer ... (Music)
1993
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Musical Guest
- Ringo Starr Going Home as Self - Guitar
1992
- Theology ... (Director)
- Utopia: Redux '92: Live in Japan
1987
- Under Cover ... (Original Music Composer)
1986
- Crime Story ... (Music)
- Crime Story: Pilot ... (Original Music Composer)
- The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect as Self
1984
- Cold Feet ... (Original Music Composer)
1977
- Todd Rundgren's Utopia - WDR Studio-L Köln 08.01.1977 as Producer Sing Song Writer
1974
1968
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self