Further evidence of the most underrated lead guitarist in history. But I suppose that's how Todd wanted it. He was confident enough to just do it. And if the masses missed that - their loss.
@davieblint: I saw him play this at the World Series of Rock in 1978 in Cleveland, about mid-afternoon stage time. At one point in his set, he played "Freedom Fighters," "Eastern Intrigue" and then "Initiation," and he had the crowd of 80,000 simply mesmerized. There were a TON of Fleetwood Mac fans there (Mac was the headliner) that I KNOW had never heard Todd before; he simply overpowered them. If they didn't know him before that show, they haven't forgotten him since.
Can't get enough Todd...and it's been that way for 40 years...I never tire of him as he recreates himself over and over and explores different styles of musicality...rock on brother!!!
I remember Todd and Utopia at the 1978 World Series of Rock in Clevelenad, playing Eastern Intrigue, Initiation and Couldn't I Just Tell You back-to-back-to-back, and the crowd was just freakin' awestruck, mesmerized. They were there for the pop of Fleetwood Mac, and Todd was just blowing them away. I still remember doing a 360-look at the crowd, as Initiation reverberated through the stadium. A sight, sound and time I'll never forget. Ever.
Swallow your pride you don't need it no more you don't need to hide all I am is only one more standing at the door waiting for the worlds initiation..... Oh baby, it doesn't get any better than that!!! Saw this show 3 times!!!!!
Todd is also credited in pioneering MANY innovations in recording/engineering and video broacasts of music. Something Anything.. every instrument, all engineered by him... still to this day, one of the longest lists of production work in the business. A great innovator as well as a genius in inventive music.
Became a Todd fan on May 1, 1972 when he performed at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena backed by the Hello People, opening for Joe Cocker. Saw him play an encore with the Tubes in July 1980 at Wolman Ice Rink in Central Park. They played Baba O'reilly. Todd produced two Tubes records around that time, probably their best thanks to the great Todd Rundgren. Utopia was something else.
DAMN... and what a show that was.. transgretion of such insane energy of early Utopia to this form of Utopia was awesome to witness.. truly loved this line up and still do.. but for Todd and company to share these songs with us those years with these guys was awesome to witness.... and of course i saw this show at THE AKRON CIVIC THEATRE.... in 77 thanks Todd... and at the richfield Coloseum in 78 (cleveland) i think those wre the years...lol
I had tickets to see this tour in New Orleans, but on the way to the show, we heard on the radio that Willie had injured his thumb the night before in Houston, and the show was cancelled. I had seen the tour that preceded the release of "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" (the six-man group with M. Frog on synths), the tour prior to this one that produced "Another Live" (the six-man group with Powell instead of M. Frog, and Wilcox instead of Kevin Elliman), and--the next year--the four-man "Oops Wrong Planet" tour that followed this one, but to this day, I regret not getting to see the RA show.
Sigh ... watching this video certainly reminded me of my age but far more of the privilege of being part of that bit of history when "popular" music truly was art.
I played this album every day for I can't remember how long. Todd is the REAL MAN. Eastern Intrigue was wrote for truth seekers. He with an ear shall hear.
If there is one thing that stands out from the old Utopia live clips (especially at Rockpalast) , it is the huge POSITIVE vibe that just radiates from the music and musicians...just awesome! It looks like they couldn't care less about the audience being half asleep, they're doing exactly what is in tune with the song. Speaking of being in tune, these are some of the most impressive live backup vocals I have heard. Amazing! High vox like these, especially tricky to pull off while playing drums!
I'm 58 Wore the grooves out of todd rundgrens utopia My friends in college threatened to kick my ass But their music was shitty. Well that's too strong a word but my friends were never taking it to this level. They now wear new balance shoes.
Todd is such a MASTER & GENIUS.Overlooked Ignored, and Misunderstood. Todd Rundgren needs our support RIGHT NOW More Than Ever! Not finacially secure after all he has accomplished in the Music World and Computer World. Please support shows buy merchandise & spread the word. Also please click periodically on his myspace music page. Help HIM RISE 2 this OCCASION !! ROCK LOVE, CHERRY XOXO I am on Twitter too supporting TODD using same Username Just Loving Fan
@micktheMaag I was at the Akron Civic too. Remember when he stopped in the middle of the one song and said, "If the sound men could get their shit together, I'd like to finish the song for you all!" The sound guys were my friends who spent the week bragging they were doing Todd's show. LOL
@davieblint This is THE BEST TODD/UTOPIA BLAST I have EVER had!!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!! I haven't had the opportunity to ever see him live in person, but have always been a HUGE fan! That is one of the COOLEST GUITARS, EVER!!!!
I saw this tour in 1977 at Doak Campbell Stadium at Fla. State University, Tallahasse, Fla. It was awsome. But YES 1971 -1979 blows them away. Yes was one of the most revolutionary and innovative bands ever.
Been listening to this version for over a decade, wish we could get a higher quality at some point. I can't listen to other versions, they're too slow.
He definitely has one of the BEST voices I have EVER heard! He's pretty damn good lookin' too. And luckily for me, I had the chance to meet him so on top of all that, he is a sweet genuine person! :)
I forgot my comment. Guys were in some serious bizz, cause acttng like that? OK! In this mood I really loved that. They are brilliant musicians! Aren't?
What I don't understand is this, and don't get me wrong, I totally love Todd Rundgren, especially since I knew very little about him until, of course, RUclips, but with this music: are you or not supposed to get up and dance to it?!?
@TheYellowbison I feel for your lack of jazz/rock fusion appreciation, but I beg strongly to differ. Four virtuostic players/singers making some of the most creative stuff I've ever heard. Just in my opinion.
angrysamoan666 get a life I bet you never saw Todd live, if you had you would realize that not only is Todd's singing key but his guitar playing is one of the best in the world. Eric Clapton was quoted in saying that Todd is one of the world's premier guitar player's.
Keyboardest is awesome indeed. Who is it? Moogy Klingman? I dunno. I've seen Todd live and it was damn cool. But this shit is out of control. What I wouldn't give to get in on this show!!!
When I consider Todd's prodigious creative output I become exhausted. While this is certainly not one of his flawless performances, I have seen quite a few in the 40 years I've been a fan. The man is a towering talent & not many can keep up with him in terms of sheer number & quality of musical ideas & staging concepts. What a fertile imagination! I don't dig everything he does, especially not the latest "State" computerized tour show. Gawd awful. But I tip my hat to the man!
Yeah, that's always a problem with most of those Rockpalast clips -- the audience is usually pretty lethargic. I saw Todd & Utopia on the Ra tour twice, great shows -- though a little over the top (in retrospect) with the whole "climbing the pyramid" Singring deal.
I think the audience is in a stunned trance .. Possibly thinkin 'How fuckin good is this shit???'... Zes decadent amerikans are zo good at everyzing ... no wonder zay beat us in ze vor..
- (comment continued) - BUT - Yes has so many progressive dimensions - Steve Howe is SO imaginative, playful, beautiful, soaring... Wakeman creates landscapes - Chris Squire has the funkiest driving riffs - Yes is as rhythmically as interesting as Todd - just DIFFERENT - why does one have to be "better" than the other?
![XO (Only If You Say Yes) - ENHYPEN エンハイプン 엔하이픈 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 240712](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wBT1bKKwPTo/mqdefault.jpg)
Todd is more than just "Hello it's me" and "Bang on my Drum". This is one of Todd's best. RA, RA, RA!!!
Further evidence of the most underrated lead guitarist in history. But I suppose that's how Todd wanted it. He was confident enough to just do it. And if the masses missed that - their loss.
Awesome minimoog playing.
@davieblint: I saw him play this at the World Series of Rock in 1978 in Cleveland, about mid-afternoon stage time. At one point in his set, he played "Freedom Fighters," "Eastern Intrigue" and then "Initiation," and he had the crowd of 80,000 simply mesmerized. There were a TON of Fleetwood Mac fans there (Mac was the headliner) that I KNOW had never heard Todd before; he simply overpowered them. If they didn't know him before that show, they haven't forgotten him since.
Wow! They were absolutely JAMMING on that one! Holy CRAP!!! Gives new definition to the phrase, "Power Balled."
Together with Zappa, the greatest musician of our time : TR ! What a band! What a song!
Yeah Zappa and the jazz (free) influence can hear.
lol
Can't get enough Todd...and it's been that way for 40 years...I never tire of him as he recreates himself over and over and explores different styles of musicality...rock on brother!!!
Excellent historical document for this incarnation of Utopia.
Keyboard player is Roger Powell. That guitar is Todd's ankh guitar ( the egyptian symbol of life) from his RA tour. Todd is God!!!!!!!!!!!!
Veleno made the ankh guitar. They also made a bass for Kasim
A lot of people don't realize what a great Prog band these guys were in the day. I like this and RA.
I remember Todd and Utopia at the 1978 World Series of Rock in Clevelenad, playing Eastern Intrigue, Initiation and Couldn't I Just Tell You back-to-back-to-back, and the crowd was just freakin' awestruck, mesmerized. They were there for the pop of Fleetwood Mac, and Todd was just blowing them away. I still remember doing a 360-look at the crowd, as Initiation reverberated through the stadium. A sight, sound and time I'll never forget. Ever.
Swallow your pride
you don't need it no more
you don't need to hide
all I am is only one more
standing at the door
waiting for
the worlds initiation.....
Oh baby, it doesn't get any better than that!!!
Saw this show 3 times!!!!!
This is a freakin jam. rock it.
Todd is also credited in pioneering MANY innovations in recording/engineering and video broacasts of music. Something Anything.. every instrument, all engineered by him... still to this day, one of the longest lists of production work in the business. A great innovator as well as a genius in inventive music.
The most fearless of electrified warriors
Wowza! These guys are incredible!!!
Became a Todd fan on May 1, 1972 when he performed at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena backed by the Hello People, opening for Joe Cocker. Saw him play an encore with the Tubes in July 1980 at Wolman Ice Rink in Central Park. They played Baba O'reilly. Todd produced two Tubes records around that time, probably their best thanks to the great Todd Rundgren. Utopia was something else.
DAMN... and what a show that was.. transgretion of such insane energy of early Utopia to this form of Utopia was awesome to witness.. truly loved this line up and still do.. but for Todd and company to share these songs with us those years with these guys was awesome to witness.... and of course i saw this show at THE AKRON CIVIC THEATRE.... in 77 thanks Todd... and at the richfield Coloseum in 78 (cleveland) i think those wre the years...lol
Man, they are playing this at Warp Speed! :-)
I had 5th row seats at Asbury Park, NJ for this tour. wow!!!
I saw this tour also... I'm STILL BLOWN AWAY watching and listening to this!!!
Easily the most under-rated group in rock history...their album "Ra" was beyond belief. Purely genius...
dont think I've ever heard anyone play octaves on the guitar with that kind of intensity :D this is so awesome wish there was a full concert
An all-out, seven-minute jam.
i love TODD...
I had tickets to see this tour in New Orleans, but on the way to the show, we heard on the radio that Willie had injured his thumb the night before in Houston, and the show was cancelled. I had seen the tour that preceded the release of "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" (the six-man group with M. Frog on synths), the tour prior to this one that produced "Another Live" (the six-man group with Powell instead of M. Frog, and Wilcox instead of Kevin Elliman), and--the next year--the four-man "Oops Wrong Planet" tour that followed this one, but to this day, I regret not getting to see the RA show.
Wow. That's a real fitness workout for musical folk. I get tired (and inspired) just watching it.
I bow to the master. Todd is THE MAN!!!!!!!!
Really very cool...very progressive. Prince must have been and admirer of Todd. Amazing.
pura magia. pure magic. expectacular.
Roger Powell's outfit looks like the The Jolly Green Giant. Top notch playing regardless!
phenomenal
Sigh ... watching this video certainly reminded me of my age but far more of the privilege of being part of that bit of history when "popular" music truly was art.
100% musical insanity !!!!!!!!
I played this album every day for I can't remember how long.
Todd is the REAL MAN.
Eastern Intrigue was wrote for truth seekers. He with an ear shall hear.
What great vocals over a fusionistic bottom. Completely original!
I've been looking for a video of this song forever!!!! Finally!
Saw this "RA" tour twice! Unreal!!!!! Love ya TODD!
The difficult made to look easy. Music with a arrangement. Great stuff
If you understand Todd then you will appreciate all that is Todd, if not, I can see folks being lost when it comes to appreciating his genre.
If there is one thing that stands out from the old Utopia live clips (especially at Rockpalast) , it is the huge POSITIVE vibe that just radiates from the music and musicians...just awesome! It looks like they couldn't care less about the audience being half asleep, they're doing exactly what is in tune with the song.
Speaking of being in tune, these are some of the most impressive live backup vocals I have heard. Amazing! High vox like these, especially tricky to pull off while playing drums!
Love Todd since I was 16 y.o.!!! Now i'm 51 and it's the same... genius!!!
I'm 58
Wore the grooves out of todd rundgrens utopia
My friends in college threatened to kick my ass
But their music was shitty. Well that's too strong a word but my friends were never taking it to this level. They now wear new balance shoes.
That's such hot pickin'! I never knew he could play guitar like that.
Damn I miss the 70's!
I wasn't there for fleetwood mac, I was there for Todd!
I've been initiated... back in 1977, that is...and again here in 2014!!!
incredible
Todd is such a MASTER & GENIUS.Overlooked Ignored, and Misunderstood.
Todd Rundgren needs our support RIGHT NOW More Than Ever! Not finacially secure after all he has accomplished in the Music World and Computer World. Please support shows buy merchandise & spread the word.
Also please click periodically on his myspace music page. Help HIM RISE 2 this OCCASION !!
ROCK LOVE,
CHERRY XOXO
I am on Twitter too supporting TODD using same Username Just Loving Fan
@micktheMaag I was at the Akron Civic too. Remember when he stopped in the middle of the one song and said, "If the sound men could get their shit together, I'd like to finish the song for you all!" The sound guys were my friends who spent the week bragging they were doing Todd's show. LOL
@davieblint This is THE BEST TODD/UTOPIA BLAST I have EVER had!!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!! I haven't had the opportunity to ever see him live in person, but have always been a HUGE fan! That is one of the COOLEST GUITARS, EVER!!!!
I saw this tour in 1977 at Doak Campbell Stadium at Fla. State University, Tallahasse, Fla. It was awsome. But YES 1971 -1979 blows them away. Yes was one of the most revolutionary and innovative bands ever.
awesomeness in it's entirety!
Been listening to this version for over a decade, wish we could get a higher quality at some point. I can't listen to other versions, they're too slow.
He definitely has one of the BEST voices I have EVER heard!
He's pretty damn good lookin' too.
And luckily for me, I had the chance to meet him so on top of all that, he is a sweet genuine person! :)
....but this was 1975/76. I was there.
Willie won out in the costuming. That's the best shirt ever!
Love Todd's guitar from 4:36 out. Spectacular.
This is amazing
Dressed for a Star Trek episode but playing like gods!
his current tour is A W S O M E
Yeah, I just got Arena last week. It's got lots of different decades of guitar rock feel to it. Don't love it yet, but I'm sure I will. ;)
I forgot my comment. Guys were in some serious bizz, cause acttng like that? OK! In this mood I really loved that. They are brilliant musicians! Aren't?
In Loving Memory of Don Leifert
This is so F#c#in cool..
What I don't understand is this, and don't get me wrong, I totally love Todd Rundgren, especially since I knew very little about him until, of course, RUclips, but with this music: are you or not supposed to get up and dance to it?!?
Rundgren is a genius but he was much more of a studio musician. He could never really pull it off live. Still love his early work.
Da Runt be KICKIN' here!
@TheYellowbison I feel for your lack of jazz/rock fusion appreciation, but I beg strongly to differ. Four virtuostic players/singers making some of the most creative stuff I've ever heard. Just in my opinion.
Holy S***! Where the F*** did you find this?!!! ;)
Wow.
This was around the time I first caught him live as a teen.
Peak material.
IT SHALL BE REVEALED.
I visited some of the videos you uploaded.
I can see why you're so critical of others.
angrysamoan666 get a life I bet you never saw Todd live, if you had you would realize that not only is Todd's singing key but his guitar playing is one of the best in the world. Eric Clapton was quoted in saying that Todd is one of the world's premier guitar player's.
great analogy
@splankhoon Couldn't agree more! Great musical taste
Joy
Quite a bit 'up tempo' from the original studio version. Must have been pressed for...time?
went to see tood at the palladium in dallas tx. never saw the show, got caught in the bathroom rolling a joint, got kicked out.
Say what you will about Kasim, he's got a VOICE on him...wish "Eternal Love" was on RUclips.
the glass guitar~~
Keyboardest is awesome indeed. Who is it? Moogy Klingman? I dunno. I've seen Todd live and it was damn cool. But this shit is out of control. What I wouldn't give to get in on this show!!!
Edgar "frankenstein" Winter blows sax on album! *--*
Seems like he'd listened to the Yes album "Close to the Edge" and was inspired.
Yeah I can hear it too. "It shall be revealed" is a lyric of firth of fifth too. Todd and utopia are one of the most understated prog/ soulish acts
@bungalowmo Me too. Blew me away!!! How about Singring? Amazing, wasn't it?
When I consider Todd's prodigious creative output I become exhausted. While this is certainly not one of his flawless performances, I have seen quite a few in the 40 years I've been a fan. The man is a towering talent & not many can keep up with him in terms of sheer number & quality of musical ideas & staging concepts. What a fertile imagination! I don't dig everything he does, especially not the latest "State" computerized tour show. Gawd awful. But I tip my hat to the man!
Yeah, that's always a problem with most of those Rockpalast clips -- the audience is usually pretty lethargic. I saw Todd & Utopia on the Ra tour twice, great shows -- though a little over the top (in retrospect) with the whole "climbing the pyramid" Singring deal.
"Utopia" seems very like hell.
Well, at least you've got a modicum of wit, if not ears.
Utopia rocks cachow
Bring back Double Organ Barrel
I could not agree more! Zappa is god though.
This is BROADWAY!
@Hildy2E "Smash it, smash it, smash it!!!!!!!!!!!" :-)
But the water, wind, fire & earth was just badass!
I think the audience is in a stunned trance .. Possibly thinkin 'How fuckin good is this shit???'... Zes decadent amerikans are zo good at everyzing ... no wonder zay beat us in ze vor..
So fast!!!!!!!!!!!
- (comment continued) - BUT
- Yes has so many progressive dimensions - Steve Howe is SO imaginative, playful, beautiful, soaring... Wakeman creates landscapes - Chris Squire has the funkiest driving riffs - Yes is as rhythmically as interesting as Todd - just DIFFERENT - why does one have to be "better" than the other?
How did you meet him you lucky person? I have seen him 33 times but never got to meet him. What is the secret?
some parts of this are reminiscent to the ikon.
I got it as an mp3 too but the sound quality sucks. I got it along with the first album.
Does anyone know where to buy the Disco Jets album?
Prince must have seen Todd's guitar...
@MuttDeCustard2010 I really just meant this performance. There is a lot of off key stuff here. I saw Todd in '85 and it was great.