Todd Rundgren Australian Visit
August 14, 2010 by Andrew Watt
Filed under International Tours
The title of Todd Rundgren’s 1973 solo album A Wizard, A True Star aptly sums up the contributions of this multi-faceted artist to state-of-the-art music. As a songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording artist, computer software developer, conceptualist, and, most recently, interactive artist, Rundgren has made a lasting impact on both the form and content of popular music.
Todd Rundgren will be making his welcome return to Australian shores in October 2010 under the moniker of Todd Rundgren’s Johnson; the double entendre name of which was derived from Rundgren’s tribute show to American blues impresario, Robert Johnson.
The tour begins in Sydney on Saturday 2 October when Rundgren takes the stage at The Basement before heading south to the newly homed Great Southern Blues Festival at Bateman’s Bay on Sunday 3 October, then onwards to Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on Wednesday 6 October.
In the early part of his career, Rundgren was hailed as a new pop-wunderkind, following the release of his paradigm shifting album ‘A Wizard, A True Star’ in 1973. A record light years ahead of its time with its intensely amusing and sometimes confusing mixture of totally out there tunes which sits easily next to all time classics like Pet Sounds and The White Album. 37 years later, Wizard continues to inspire legions of contemporaries from Hot Chip and Daft Punk to Simian Mobile Disco.
As a live performer, Rundgren has toured with the likes of Ringo Starr as part of his All-Starr Band, and as producer has worked with just about every rock staple from the New York Dolls and Meatloaf to Hall & Oates and Rick Derringer.
Fans can expect to see the prog-rock innovator, guitar genius and consummate singer/songwriter take the stage and perform a range of songs from throughout his career in an infectious and dazzling performance, resplendent with Rundgren’s ever-irreverent and tongue-in-cheek schtick.
Australian fans will have the chance of getting their copy of ‘Todd Rundgren’s Johnson’ at his headline shows. Rundgren’s latest album is currently unreleased in Australia so don’t miss your chance to receive your copy.
About time!
Todd is a remarkable talent!
Heard him first whilst living up on capital Hill (seattle) Washington State in 1994, love his works, love songs and harmony’s.
Am I a loser if I rock up at his gig on my own? Don’t know anyone else that’ll appreciate his talent…
Not at all Jane. There will be any number of losers at this gig! Only kidding. I would strongly recommend you dont miss this show. It’s a pretty rare chance to see an artist of this magnitude. I reckon there will be plenty of people there who are not going for a social experience, but a musical experience. Don’t deprive yourself!
Jane you are not a loser…quite the contrary!
But i know how you feel!!!
I anm flying from Perth to The Melbourne show. Hoping to bump into some Todd fans…none in Perth!
Will you be there?
I’ve left if to the last minute. I got my dates wrong and just realised I work on Wednesday night ! If i’m inspired to pull a sickie, I will go if there are tickets left!
Been a Todd fan since the (19)60′s [NAZZ!!!], my wife reckons my motto is “Todd is God”. We saw him live at House of Blues in N’Orleans, 1996 – the most awesome one-man-band in the universe. Don’t live in Sydney any more so missed the Basement gig, DO live on NSW North Coast so missed the Bateman’s Bay gig, bah humbug.
Jane, take that sickie. Jane, Andrew and Gavin, you will be losers in my book if you DO NOT post a review of the Melbourne gig. Have a great time – Bang the (bloody) drum all night!!!!
Jane, Andrew and Gavin, let me amend my earlier posting – you will lose some esteem in my book if you don’t post a review.
I dislike the pejorative connotation of “loser” and I intended to change it in the original, but got distracted and forgot,
Sincere apologies for the unintended slur. enjoy Todd, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Love Todd! Missed him play at every venue in Australia. He didn’t come to Brisbane where I live. Very disappointed and could kick myself for missing him. Waited over 30 years to see him.