Todd Rundgren on Meeting David Gilmour, Playing His First Concert, and Getting High | The First Time 

One of the most underrated musicians ever!!!

I met Todd in Toronto at the Olympic Island festival concert which he headlined, around 1974 (with Status Quo, Dr. Hook, Rory Gallagher). I got a pass for the press area but not the musicians' area. That bummed me out, but then I heard Todd's voice behind me. He was already surrounded by fans. He had Bebe Buell on his arm. She was a Playboy centre-fold. I went up to Todd and said, "As fans, we read everything we can about you but you will never know us as individuals." He thought that was so cool that he gave me an interview for the Ryerson eyeopener. Then he asked me what I wanted to do. I said, take pictures of him and the band on stage. He then gave me his pass. He said everyone recognized him, he won't need it. So I got to take some amazing pics of Todd and the band. He was an amazingly sweet, wonderful person.

Most underrated artist ever.

Todd is one of the greatest song writers and performers of all time. What a tremendous inspiration this guy has been to the music world.

Just watched his clearly human virtual show? He was hands down AMAZING! He’s almost 73 y/o, and ran , danced & sang his ass off like no other!! Such a talent !!!

Thanks Mr Rundgren for being part of the soundtrack of my life. Sounds cheesie, but so true. Thank you for making this video and sharing part of your story.

Rolling Stone doesn't deserve a genius like Todd Rundgren. But is cool to see him. A true artist.

Todd, your a treasure! I hope you know that buddy.

Wonderful to see Mr Rundgren looking so well. Always struck me as a man of integrity. Look forward to more of your shared moments. Aloha

Love Todd. Something/Anything is a masterpiece. I cannot express how many good memories it brings. All vinyl. Thank you, Todd.

Well,one day the world will realize & appreciate that Professor Rundgren is the coolest cat on the planet.

Wow! That Gilmour story is friggin' awesome! That EMS synth model is the famous "On The Run" sound.

I loved the sound of those 70s singles, many that I listened to on transistor radios in mono, including "Hello It's Me".

This is great. It shows what a regular, irregular guy Todd really is.

Thank you, the great Todd Rundgren, for all of the great sounds, through the years. Mahalo, & peace, maestro!

I played one of his songs in one of my 10th-grade classes in 1976, and every girl that had ignored me up to that point was suddenly interested in me. Of course, I dorked it up, and nothing ever came of it, but I'm sure this man has led one heck of an interesting life.

You were my fav. Your music was full of love & romance. And just loved your songs. And still listen to your music.God bless you!

Anyone else hoping to hear more details on the Rundgren, Gilmour meeting. Humph..

When I was about 12 my brother got an album called Nazz Nazz. Can't believe I wound up seeing the guy on that record (with Ringo and the New Cars) and he's still creating music all these years later. 😎👍

Great idea and great guest -- once a friend introduced me to Todd's music (in the '70's) there was a period where I literally couldn't listen to anything else -- he has been a treasure to the music 'business' and certainly to those of us who have been sustained by the music he has made himself -- don't know where or who I'd be without that great, great gift . . .

Was enjoyable listening to Todd's reflections. We share many common experiences probably due to our age group. Funny how time and age replace the veil of modern hype with simple events in every day life. Thank you Mr. Rundgren.

My first guitar was also a beat up small acoustic guitar. My Dad sent me and my brother for lessons but it was horrible. He took too long! We wanted to play NOW! So after 2 lessons we quit! I got a Beatles Guitar book and learned a bunch of chords. In 1969 I had a cheap Japanese electric guitar & amp. I learned to play the solo note for note on The Beatles " _While My Guitar Gently Weeps_ " But I've always loved Todd's music, starting with " *RUNT* " 1970 _We Got to get you a Woman_ " He played all the instruments! That's what I want to do! And I did it.

Todd comes across more relaxed in this interview than in other interviews I've seen. He even laughs at a few moments. Todd has had a somewhat difficult life. There are reasons why (often) he is very wary of people. I saw him live on the first Utopia tour. The first part of the show was Todd (with only a microphone) singing songs from "Something/Anything" & "A Wizard, a True Star" backed by a tape of the studio backing tracks. The second half of the show was fully live with the original "Utopia". Half the audience walked out, but I stayed. If I could ever meet Todd, I'd tell him that the problem at this performance (at the Miami Beach Auditorium) wasn't Utopia's music. It was a very bad, shrill P.A. system. I assumed at the time that this was the reason why Todd didn't attempt fully live versions of his shorter, more pop-oriented songs. Clearly, the members of Utopia were capable of playing the songs, but they would have sounded bad through that poor P.A. system.

72 now. Time has flown.

A Wizard...A True Star 💫

Two of my personal favorites ! Loved Todd from " Somethin"lg Anything "" until today Utopia or not ( saw Todd in Scranton, PA in a CYC gym!) And I play " the Strat Pack" by David Gilmore ( and so do my neighbor's ) almost every morning ! Todd is a master in his arm or anyone else's studio ! I never knew Todd played by ear ! So does my brother , but my bro only plays keys ! Saw Pink Floyd in the early 80s. Thanks gentleman for so many wonderful years and I hope for many more . ( Fan for life !)

Loved Jackie Gleason, and saw that movie. We always watched his shows, my father loved him, and was a heck of a lot like him. A lot of laughter, and a lot of sadness. You're a precious, Todd.

Road to Utopia... I looped it on my TEAC reel to reel back in the day... timeless, excellent music! Thanks Todd!

As did Peter Paul Chato (see below) I met Todd in a small club in Gretna, LA. Utopia (the quartet version) was playing 2 shows a night for 2 nights...and I had tickets for all 4 shows. I snagged a seat front row center, which I kept for all the shows. Before the first show the second night, Eric Gardner, Todd's then-manager, came up to me and said that Todd wanted to meet me after the first show. I was flabbergasted! Eric came for me after the show and took me to the Winnebago in the parking lot. Todd was, as Peter Paul said, incredibly nice, a truly sweet, regular kinda fella. But I had NO idea what to say to someone I had idolized for so long! The thing I took away from meeting him, though, was that his hands are HUGE...I'm not a small guy, and when we shook hands, his fingers were up beyond my wrist. No wonder he can play guitar like he does! And he was genuinely tickled that I knew the words to everything they performed.

🤩 cool Gilmour story

Best American Accent I have Ever Heard.

Speaking of sentimental triggers, Going to Cry Today is, for me, and instant tearstorm. I'm teary right now, just thinking about it, esp. in relation to my lately-departed sweetheart of 35 years. It sure doesn't look like you're gonna be around, so I'm gonna cry today.

I love Todd's voice more than anything. Love his backing vocals on Bette's "Let me Just Follow Behind". Under-rated as a singer, songwriter, musician, but not by me and his dedicated legions of fans.

Great stuff..Todd Rondgren way down to Earth,!!

He mellowed with age..that's a good thing.

Thanks Todd for sharing this with us fans....would have liked to hear his recollections of producing the New York Dolls and Meatloaf as well

Great Interview I've been a fan for years and even met Todd a couple of times He's one of the Good ones he even shared a joint with me at the club I worked at Good Times Todd THANK YOU for the music and the joint and Congratulations on finally getting in the Rock Hall

Gotta say, I loved "sentimental ol' TR" songs...nothing wrong with "Faithful" and "Love of the Common Man", etc... Let's get TR back on the sentimental journey!

Love to see you alive...! Stay safe, dear master...!!

Gosh, I can listen to Todd talk all day. I'm sure he has a wealth of stories & he's just an interesting dude. Bet he's so engaging in conversations when he doesn't have to answer these dumb questions.

I love Todd...

6:02 Gotta love the way he says "because"! Classic.

Great interview !

Thank you Rolling Stone!!

My first experience with guitar lessons in the 60s was similar to Todd's.My teacher hated the Beatles and insisted I learn these old songs that I had no interest in.Had he only made a deal with me like learn your lesson and I'll show you one Beatles song,I would've learned the whole Mel Bay book by heart.

love todds music and he seems like down to earth guy to

Getting less sentimental as one ages seems like the right direction. Also thank you. Randy.

The first time I heard the word "apropos" was in early summer, 1972, at a free concert outside the U. Mass stadium, in Amherst. It was Todd Rundgren, fronting a band which included The Hello People. I forget if he or Keady, Smithline & Baltimore opened. Both bands were excellent. Got to speak with the lead guitarist from the other band, inside the stadium, at the Fleetwood Mac concert the following weekend. I vaguely remember Mr. Keady helping with Hello People's set-up after he'd finished his band's set.

Dang one of the best little video ditties I’ve seen. Thank you. I wish to have been in the room when David G came to mess with the synth in your apartment. Wow

I saw Todd with Ringo's all star band back in 2016 , he played a few of his tunes. Sounded really good.

Great to hear how American Band was produced

I can relate to the phenomenon of feeling less and less sentimental with age. I’m 46 years old this year and easily half as sentimental as I was at 26 years old.

Looking great Todd Love your music

Great interview.

hi todd! thanks for this

City in my head, Utopia Heaven in my body, Utopia Into the sky, it rises now

Love the Todd!!!!!!

Great to hear from TR! Nice kitchen too ;)

Todd, we need a new song. Fans need to know that you are out there and still capable of rocking the world.

I'ma huge Gilmour fan....I played everthing Gilmour on my guitar....but because it was the 80's my playing had a heavy metal slant to it....a guy comes up to the stage and tells me "dude, you sound like Gilmour but more Wicked".....to this day my friends still call me "Wicked Dave"....Todd is a mountain of man, I truly respect his playing and demeanor . To have been anywhere near them while they talked music, would have been awesome.

My first Todd's album was Initiation....and i was shocked from his music😱

Todd did some great work as a solo and with Utopia.

VOTE FOR TODD!! ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2021

Love this

Todd is Godd.

HI Todd, saw you at Knebworth 1979- Led Zeppelin, excellent gig and the ladies certainly gasped when you lifted your guitar :). UK music press voted you wanger of the week. Great day.

Greetings from Upper Darby!

My Hero

One of the greats!

My hero/heartthrob when I was 13, 14 and 15 and I bought every album recorded he after experiencing Something/Anything. Then AWATS, Todd, then Utopia. I played them on my shitty little turntable. You remember the record would skip so you’d glue a penny on the needle then you finally get a somewhat quality stereo only to discover you ruined your albums by weighing the needle! Lol. I bought another Something/Anything and a musician friend of mine i had gone on and on about AWATS to the point he bought it and I asked if I could borrow it and, I don’t think I returned it and then someone stole most of my vinyl

"To this day I can't read music." Wow! Jimi, Tori Amos and Duke Ellington also never learned to read music. Possibly Prince too. Utterly amazing!

The 1 n Only*;🎶🎶🎸🎶🎸Iconic**:Timeless*Priceless*:Ageless*Multi Talented **Todd Forever Strong*:💪💪💪💪💪🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎶🎸🎶🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tell Todd, I played in Kona Jazz Society for Jan's Mom! Alohas from Kaloko Trails

I saw The Nazz in the late 60s in NYC . The were the first band to come on before The Rascals...Both bands were great....really good musicians and performers...Wonderful first experience...and has stayed with me for a very long time.

I adore Todd

Todd is a crack up! 🌝🌺

Another live Utopia Do ya,,something's coming Big fan from the 70s

Todd for ever! Never forget the First utopia Tour at Hammersmith Odeon! Mind blowing! Wot a performer! I was wondering if Todd would stand for Congress? Or governor of Hawaii, He would be more trustworthy! Only trouble is when something goes wrong you get the blame it’s a risky business!

That Jackie Gleason movie was the first one I saw at the saturday matinees my sister and I went to for years when we were growing up. His saturday night show was a family favourite.

Gigo is an awesome film.

Columbus Ohio digs us some Todd

TODD is GODD!!!

Probably his greatest song was “hello it’s me“ which he wrote when he was something like 16 years old although the arrangements and production was done years later. A little bit like Aerosmith writing “dream on“ when he was 14 years old. That might be their best song. he has infinite more experience now than he did when he was in Nazz, But it just goes to show you how modest is the value we should put on experience.

A very good point on drugs and their use.

Todd should add "Lonesome Town" to his repertoire. It's still a good song.

Out of hundreds of producers, Todd was the only one who saw and understood the greatness of what Jim Steinman and Meatloaf had in Bat Out Of Hell. The rest is hi$tory...

Well he is in the RNR HOF now. I hope he shows up in Cleveland. Getting in with Carole King may induce him to appear. They may want him to play a song that he doesn't want to. I'd take Just One Victory over Hello It's Me. Don't You Ever Learn? ⭐

😻😻😻

The first time I got high George Jetson climbed out of the TV and winked at me. I was 14 in the mid eighties.

Cool

That's cool I've been listening to him since 78 I had to something anything album forever... Now on CD... But I was so dyslexic I played by sight. I even went to college on a music scholarship and I can't read music I just memorized every note of just where it was on the lines spaces... The teacher told me that was impossible I could memorize all that..... Got away with ittell college when the music professor asked me to play and B flat and I said point to it on the sheet and he said what I said just point to it there and I'll play it.... Oh well..

I met Todd during the 80's in Dallas, TX. We catered his concert...we being the Hare Krishna's.

Anyone catch the White knights tour? Took me months to process the genius in that.

Ok...Todd's great! Regarding the post title...?

Been 3pt 🎸 evr Since!

Have that Grand Funk American Band lp

Hall Of Fame*🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆*:Should be!!!!Who Agrees?????

Hello, it’s me. It holds up.

Todd Rundgren is nominated for the 2021 R&R Hall Of Fame! You can vote for him daily until Apr.30/21. Vote here: rock hall fan vote

He should have been in the Rock N Roll hall a long time ago. And way before some of the people already there.