Talking with Todd is almost as good as listening to him sing and notice he can't help laughing at himself and the the things he has done, a good soul and one I have always looked up to.
I'm still jamming to "Under the Ice" when I'm driving down the highway! And I still have my copy of "Nazz Nazz" pressed on the transparent red vinyl disc.
Discovered "The Nazz" in a record store in the Winter of '68-69. I was 13+ and fresh with a fistful of dollars just earned from my daily newspaper delivery route. The album cover intrigued me: 4 American Lads a la the Best of the Brits. Could it be? Side One, Cut One: "Open My Eyes" literally did just that. WOW! Impeccable PowerPop played with an infectious effervescence seldom heard before or hence. Track after track after track, I was stunned. The level of composition, the arrangements accentuating the vocals and the instrumental performances all spoke one thing: Highest-Level Professional. And who the heck was this "Todd Rundgren" guy, who was all-over this production? A year later, "Nazz Nazz" re-affirmed all my earlier enthusiasm: "Todd Rundgren" was a indeed a musical wunderkind! Fast-Forward 47 years. Now 60, and fresh with a fistful of dollars earned from my workaday gig, I purchased tickets for me and my honey to finally see The Wunderkind himself live and in-concert: Wednesday December 23rd, 2015 at The Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA is a day, and concert, I shall never forget. Thank You, Todd Rundgren, for making this PaperBoy's adolescent dream a reality! Cheers, Mate!
I've listened to well over a hundred TR interviews, and this is probably the best one. The interviewer really knows his Rundgren stuff (as Todd's true fans do), as opposed to merely sounding like someone going through the motions. Kudos!
I used to call into AM radio stations for LP giveaways and won quite a few. Once my friend and I went in for winning some album, I don't remember, and the DJ said we could rifle through the stacks. We got a kick out an album called Runt because the coach used to call us that. Listened to that record all the time. After a few months I won again and this time we both went and were intrigued by the LP named Something/Anything. It took a little while for us realize that it was the same guy - Todd Rundgren! I was stunned. Headed to the record store and found more about him...the Nazz, Todd's first album and his newest AWATS. I have every record Todd made and produced since. One non-Todd LP I really loved is War Babies - Hall & Oates. Amazing record really. But I think what really bent our ears to Todd's "sound" were the band Illusions -"Did You See Her Eyes". Kind of a precursor to Nazz. Todd has been like a lost brother to me, his work has gotten me through tuff times in the past. I met him 3 or 4 times in Houston, Austin, SA...really nice guy, smart and funny, and always exhausted after a show so I didn't bug him to sigh anything. I took an interest in multi track recording 30 years ago because of him. People used to say my music sounded like Todd's but I don't hear any similarities but if it does, great. Geez, I've barely scratched the surface in the many veins of musical possibility. I saw Todd at ACL a few months ago with a slew of other psychedelic bands old and new. Despite the stage problems it was a good show. Following day saw the Global show in SA. Fantastic performance as always! Why isn't Todd in Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Whut up?
This is so wild! My obsession with Todd began the same as Todd's fascination with The Beatles... long before I heard a note of his music, I saw a tiny little pic in a magazine talking about him... I was about 8 years old and transfixed by his name and his look... years later when I heard his music I was completely hooked. I still haven't recovered :-)
OK there's a reward for being prepared and knowing how to form & stop a question - brilliant guetss like Todd open right up. highest marks to this host.
great interview ! Lifelong fan , had these records (my sis) when they came out .Wildwood Blues is a favorite and I never before related it to playing in the bars in the summer in cover bands .Only took 5 decades but now I'm hip . I grew up at the shore too .
Todd Rundgren is a musical genius...and thats not an over statement dear readers...hello its me and I saw the light are two incredibly profound songs that still bring back youthful memories...I just read that he produced bat out of hell which is an effing great album...what a talent
Since I didn't subscribe or read those teeny bopper mags back in the day, The Nazz and Todd were only known to me by their music. I remember being impressed that such a young guy was writing and arranging all of those songs, especially on the second album. That he orchestrated A Beautiful Song blew my mind. I just knew he had to embark upon a solo career after The Nazz broke up.
I am a guitar player. Took my Mustang in to Mannys on 48 street in NYC in the mid eighties as a punk ass know it all kid. Todd was there shopping. I asked him if he would play my guitar. He plugged it in to a crate half stack tuned it and played the solofor love of the common man. Handed it back to me and said “do good things man” shook my hand and gave me an autograph. He was so kind and just a regular dude. Ya know for a fucking genius.
Todd is almost guaranteed to be an HSP. People (~20+%/population) who are born as Highly Sensitive People remember things, feel emotions, see and recall details far more deeply than most folks. Doesn't make them better, just different. As a writer and full-blown empath, I can attest to retaining the colors, sounds and smells involved in lots of memories from age four on. I recall some voices and some conversations verbatim, especially anything emotionally charged. And we don't have much choice on which memories make the cut, sometimes.
Terrific interview. Like Todd Krill below, I became intrigued by Todd by reading his name all over the credits and in various teen magazines. I liked the sound and have been a fan ever since.
Fun fact: In addition to all the other people Todd produced, he also produced an album by Cheap Trick! That would be interesting to know what those conversations were like, since two of them played with his old Nazz-mates! Like asking Rick Nielsen: "So YOU'RE the guy who replaced me"!
Todd, I feel you about the haircuts! I remember as a kid, if I had to choose between the dentist and a haircut, I would have chosen the dentist EVERY time! I always tried to find a way to weasel my way out of going to the barber shop--even hoping my parents would forget to take me. Notice in all the years, Todd never once wore his hair short, even in the 80s when it wasn't popular to have long hair anymore
Electric factory in Philly hosted the bands / and Woody's truck stop / Mandrake memorial local bands played other venues-Todd was always a shining star and still remains best of America.
Where I started noticing long hair was 1960 and German kids would grow their hair out as actors in the Passion Play. Then military kids were seeing young German kids with long hair and taking the style back to England and America.
You have to understand, in the 60s, it was hard to get people out of the habit of calling a band a name other than "The somethings" because for over decade of rock, bands names always started with the article "THE", like they were a gang. I remember people saying THE Pink Floyd, THE Blue Cheer, THE Led Zeppelin, THE Jefferson Airplane, THE Moody Blues, THE Grand Funk Railroad
because delco is punk!!! and philly gets it from us and delco is british trust me im from folcroft glenolden its in there so the uk invasion was perfect out there. then it went to philly .thank you tod it needed it.
It might be. Although I was friends w a person that went to high school w Todd and was friends w his sister His story was that the mom of one of the band mates nick name was Nazz and that's where they got it , they used to rehearse at her house. I just met Stooky and got to play a show w him. Next time I'll ask
Both things are true. Todd formed Nazz in 1967. The Nazz Are Blue was from 1966, the B side of Yardbirds Happenings Ten Years Time Ago. What Todd did not know in 1966 or 1967 was that The Nazz is a colloquialism and short hand for "The Nazzarine", which is where Jeff Beck took the term from after hearing UK radio personality, Lord Buckley, use the term to describe Jesus of Nazerith.
Thanks Todd a phonic Todd, this was the best interview!
Talking with Todd is almost as good as listening to him sing and notice he can't help laughing at himself and the the things he has done, a good soul and one I have always looked up to.
I'm still jamming to "Under the Ice" when I'm driving down the highway! And I still have my copy of "Nazz Nazz" pressed on the transparent red vinyl disc.
Very nice!
Discovered "The Nazz" in a record store in the Winter of '68-69. I was 13+ and fresh with a fistful of dollars just earned from my daily newspaper delivery route. The album cover intrigued me: 4 American Lads a la the Best of the Brits. Could it be? Side One, Cut One: "Open My Eyes" literally did just that. WOW! Impeccable PowerPop played with an infectious effervescence seldom heard before or hence. Track after track after track, I was stunned. The level of composition, the arrangements accentuating the vocals and the instrumental performances all spoke one thing: Highest-Level Professional. And who the heck was this "Todd Rundgren" guy, who was all-over this production? A year later, "Nazz Nazz" re-affirmed all my earlier enthusiasm: "Todd Rundgren" was a indeed a musical wunderkind! Fast-Forward 47 years. Now 60, and fresh with a fistful of dollars earned from my workaday gig, I purchased tickets for me and my honey to finally see The Wunderkind himself live and in-concert: Wednesday December 23rd, 2015 at The Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA is a day, and concert, I shall never forget. Thank You, Todd Rundgren, for making this PaperBoy's adolescent dream a reality! Cheers, Mate!
great interview,thanks
I've listened to well over a hundred TR interviews, and this is probably the best one. The interviewer really knows his Rundgren stuff (as Todd's true fans do), as opposed to merely sounding like someone going through the motions. Kudos!
Agreed.
I used to call into AM radio stations for LP giveaways and won quite a few. Once my friend and I went in for winning some album, I don't remember, and the DJ said we could rifle through the stacks. We got a kick out an album called Runt because the coach used to call us that. Listened to that record all the time. After a few months I won again and this time we both went and were intrigued by the LP named Something/Anything. It took a little while for us realize that it was the same guy - Todd Rundgren! I was stunned. Headed to the record store and found more about him...the Nazz, Todd's first album and his newest AWATS. I have every record Todd made and produced since. One non-Todd LP I really loved is War Babies - Hall & Oates. Amazing record really. But I think what really bent our ears to Todd's "sound" were the band Illusions -"Did You See Her Eyes". Kind of a precursor to Nazz. Todd has been like a lost brother to me, his work has gotten me through tuff times in the past. I met him 3 or 4 times in Houston, Austin, SA...really nice guy, smart and funny, and always exhausted after a show so I didn't bug him to sigh anything. I took an interest in multi track recording 30 years ago because of him. People used to say my music sounded like Todd's but I don't hear any similarities but if it does, great. Geez, I've barely scratched the surface in the many veins of musical possibility. I saw Todd at ACL a few months ago with a slew of other psychedelic bands old and new. Despite the stage problems it was a good show. Following day saw the Global show in SA. Fantastic performance as always! Why isn't Todd in Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Whut up?
Thanks for sharing awesome stories
This is so wild! My obsession with Todd began the same as Todd's fascination with The Beatles... long before I heard a note of his music, I saw a tiny little pic in a magazine talking about him... I was about 8 years old and transfixed by his name and his look... years later when I heard his music I was completely hooked. I still haven't recovered :-)
Thank you Todd for being part of my life. Zachary Hickman
Great to hear an interviewer who actually knows his stuff...
OK there's a reward for being prepared and knowing how to form & stop a question - brilliant guetss like Todd open right up.
highest marks to this host.
Fav Nazz son is Gonna Cry Todat. Gorgeous ballad and once saw Todd perform it on piano during a solo show in the early 90s at the Ritz in NYC
Very informative, well done interview, thanks for posting!
great interview ! Lifelong fan , had these records (my sis) when they came out .Wildwood Blues is a favorite and I never before related it to playing in the bars in the summer in cover bands .Only took 5 decades but now I'm hip . I grew up at the shore too .
Todd Rundgren is a musical genius...and thats not an over statement dear readers...hello its me and I saw the light are two incredibly profound songs that still bring back youthful memories...I just read that he produced bat out of hell which is an effing great album...what a talent
I think he's actually had more success as a producer than as a performer. Just look up all the great records he's produced.
'Success', as in 'made more money'?
Produced "Bat Out of Hell", yes, who do you think wrote the music and played guitar? Meatloaf...not!
@@crimsonrush yeah he said its why he was able to be such a maverick with his own music. He didnt need it to support himself.
Since I didn't subscribe or read those teeny bopper mags back in the day, The Nazz and Todd were only known to me by their music. I remember being impressed that such a young guy was writing and arranging all of those songs, especially on the second album. That he orchestrated A Beautiful Song blew my mind. I just knew he had to embark upon a solo career after The Nazz broke up.
I am a guitar player. Took my Mustang in to Mannys on 48 street in NYC in the mid eighties as a punk ass know it all kid. Todd was there shopping. I asked him if he would play my guitar. He plugged it in to a crate half stack tuned it and played the solofor love of the common man. Handed it back to me and said “do good things man” shook my hand and gave me an autograph. He was so kind and just a regular dude. Ya know for a fucking genius.
Great interview- a meeting of minds!
Eternally grateful to Todd for taking up Sparks(who?) in 1971 on Bearsville.
I am amazed how much Todd remembers from this period when he was 20!
Todd is almost guaranteed to be an HSP. People (~20+%/population) who are born as Highly Sensitive People remember things, feel emotions, see and recall details far more deeply than most folks. Doesn't make them better, just different. As a writer and full-blown empath, I can attest to retaining the colors, sounds and smells involved in lots of memories from age four on. I recall some voices and some conversations verbatim, especially anything emotionally charged. And we don't have much choice on which memories make the cut, sometimes.
Thanks for sharing this great interview of Rock History.
Terrific interview. Like Todd Krill below, I became intrigued by Todd by reading his name all over the credits and in various teen magazines. I liked the sound and have been a fan ever since.
Nazz is definitely my favorite 60's band with the Beatles and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Great interview & appreciated the video.
really great interview
Great interview. Todd is my guy.
Under the ice, i was 14...red vinyl album...the heaviest american brit band
Damn that was a good listen!! Thx Todd!
Todd your a cool guy you interview really well.
Great interview of Todd by Todd!
Fun fact: In addition to all the other people Todd produced, he also produced an album by Cheap Trick! That would be interesting to know what those conversations were like, since two of them played with his old Nazz-mates! Like asking Rick Nielsen: "So YOU'RE the guy who replaced me"!
Todd, I feel you about the haircuts! I remember as a kid, if I had to choose between the dentist and a haircut, I would have chosen the dentist EVERY time! I always tried to find a way to weasel my way out of going to the barber shop--even hoping my parents would forget to take me. Notice in all the years, Todd never once wore his hair short, even in the 80s when it wasn't popular to have long hair anymore
Electric factory in Philly hosted the bands / and Woody's truck stop / Mandrake memorial local bands played other venues-Todd was always a shining star and still remains best of America.
most Todd fans may already know this but Todd produced the We're An American Band album by Grand Funk Railroad . and it was a Muscle Shoals record .
I think the 74 concerts was fantastic
Where I started noticing long hair was 1960 and German kids would grow their hair out as actors in the Passion Play. Then military kids were seeing young German kids with long hair and taking the style back to England and America.
Todd is A Wizard, A True Star!
The Nazz could have been HUGE if they stayed together longer!
Intelegent creative longevity he's cool The Nazz lp I bought was red vinyl Meridian Leeward is a song I liked
I think it was the hair
(and the trousers!)
Not the first time the Move ever covered American artists. They were also playing Byrds songs in 1968-69, too
I was hoping he would say something about Woodys Truck Stop !!
Nice! Wonder if they played rainbow room,or cose morley
WOW
I still have The album bought 68 69 KIKKS ARSe so fine under the Ice ………… under the ice so fine Be well Todd keep kikkin :)
Todd refers to the group as "The Nazz" when during an interview Thom Mooney and Stewkey says it was just "Nazz"
You have to understand, in the 60s, it was hard to get people out of the habit of calling a band a name other than "The somethings" because for over decade of rock, bands names always started with the article "THE", like they were a gang. I remember people saying THE Pink Floyd, THE Blue Cheer, THE Led Zeppelin, THE Jefferson Airplane, THE Moody Blues, THE Grand Funk Railroad
(859) Open My Eyes - RUclips (set to Real Pig Lightshow visuals) Thanks Nazz and Marc L. Rubenstein
The munchkins upper Darby!
because delco is punk!!! and philly gets it from us and delco is british trust me im from folcroft glenolden its in there so the uk invasion was perfect out there. then it went to philly .thank you tod it needed it.
Keep in mind, Todd was inspired by the guitarist from the Delco garage band, the Snaps...
Rhe Cars!!!
how open is air … ?
if i had a secret society
Delco!!!!! Punkco
The Nazz is short hand for The Nazzarine.
It might be. Although I was friends w a person that went to high school w Todd and was friends w his sister
His story was that the mom of one of the band mates nick name was Nazz and that's where they got it , they used to rehearse at her house.
I just met Stooky and got to play a show w him. Next time I'll ask
No if you listen to his interviews it came from a Yardbirds song. Its not short for anything dude
Both things are true. Todd formed Nazz in 1967. The Nazz Are Blue was from 1966, the B side of Yardbirds Happenings Ten Years Time Ago. What Todd did not know in 1966 or 1967 was that The Nazz is a colloquialism and short hand for "The Nazzarine", which is where Jeff Beck took the term from after hearing UK radio personality, Lord Buckley, use the term to describe Jesus of Nazerith.
@@manjay49 it is actually Jesus of Nazareth. And the term is Nazarene.
Wow ! Native Americans had to cut their hair too assimilate to appeez