I was making “records” in my bedroom on a cassette 4-track-playing all the parts and singing-before I discovered Something/Anything. “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” was a revelation. But I mostly listened to side 4 (!).
Very cool. I thought that photo was NYC. I saw Todd in 1970 my second concert @ 16 after Tull it was right after leaving the Nazz. He walked out into th audience when he sang Hello it me
Hi Tim! You are the best story teller! Love when you tell some of the Rock and Roll histories and locations! Love it! Always fun visiting your channel! Pray all is well! God bless!
This vid……. Todd and Utopia’s work have been so profoundly intertwined with my life since I found him in 1980 when I was 16 and continues to this very day. Something/Anything was literally the soundtrack of my 17th through 19th years. If someone had told me back then that one day, I’d be able to watch a video and see ID Sound, along with the house where he shot that gatefold pic, I’d be checking that person’s arm for needle tracks. What a great thing you’ve done here and I’m personally incomprehensibly grateful to you for making it. Also, if you’d like to hear the best Todd album that he never made, check out the ones from the act called Astral Drive. Phil Thornalley’s one of a kind. I promise you’ll love them. Thanks very much once again.
I really loved doing this video. I happened to be reading a book, "A Wizard A True Star" and it gave the Astral address. I happen to live less than a mile away so it was a no brainer. He happens to be one of my very favorite producer's and I think that part of his career every bit as fascinating as his music. Funny thing is that for me, I didn't get into him until much later, probably my mid thirties. I have heard of the Astral Drive album and just haven't had the time to get to it, but I will check it out. Thanks again for the cool comment!
I really liked the Nazz songs early on...didn't know anything about Todd until S/A...bought it when it came out and played it to death...long time fan now...have a son named Todd...he's 47 ...there's Todd, and everything else is just music
Wow!!. What an unbelieveably talented guy. I bought the album 'Runt' on vinyl about 20 years ago in a second hand shop just because i thought the album art work looked interesting. I'd never heard of Todd Rundgren. Now, 'Believe in me' and 'Baby let's swing' are two of my fave songs. £7 well spent I reckon!
About 25 years ago at my very last day job and I got to know Tony Sales who also worked there. Super funny guy (must be in the genes). He turned me on to them.
Great to see the sites out there. Love your enthusiasm. Todd really put it all together here for this one. It’s a bit of lost innocence in a way, as the next album was his bold about face to being a pop superstar.
Someone here in the comments today said he got nominated again by the Rock Hall of Fame. He's always said he didn't care but I'm still glad he's got a shot.
These are entertaining. I appreciate your detailed knowledge on these classic albums. That iconic image of Todd in his living room conducting his gear inspired me as a kid. It planted an image in my brain of doing the same thing. I agree with you about Todd and his impact on musicians. I think every musician I have known love's Todd. I liked your comparison to Les Paul in his impact on music production. Good stuff!
Saw James Cotton about 10 yrs ago at Windsor Blues Fest. Subscribed. Nice that the vids are of a length that I can squeeze em' in between so much other stuff I'm squeezing in.
@@RockessentialTim yes, Ontario. I seem to recall he was on stage w Buddy guy. Probably longer than 10 years ago ,likely about 15. I know I went in 94' 300zx I bought in 05'
Hey ...I really enjoyed this ....I'm an old from those days.......saw todd and band at the troubadour ...,doing I saw the light.....thank you.......have fun.
The photo in S/A of Todd facing the window is one of my favorite R&R pics of all time. Its a picture worth a thousand words. It looks like (to me anyways) he's been up all night working and its early morning. BTW: I didn't find out til I researched for the video that the picture was taken by his audio engineer, James Lowe and it was Todd's very last day ever in the house. 2
Although I discovered this album a year or so after its release, I got pretty consumed by it. As a Beatle/Macca fan, it had a lot of that kind ofh creativity. Sunny pop like I Saw The Light, tear jerkers like It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference (Alison Krauss did a gorgeous version) and Cold Morning Light. Sound collages like The Night The Carouse Burned Down. The madcap Viking Song, the rocking Couldn't I Just Tell You. I try not to think of the album as something made in a cooped up little studio, though, as so many of the tracks paint such great sonic pictures. Walking along the Hollywood Sea with a certain young lady, in the Viking Ship with Knute, cruising with Wolfman Jack and the sad scene of the burning carousel.
Its a really well crafted album, especially considering he was 22! I'm a recording nut and it just cracks me up when I hear him talk about sound on it. There is a book called "A Wizard A True Star" that entails his producing career and I found it absolutely fascinating.
Thanks for making me forget about my rough day at work. This was the best 7 minutes of my day! Hell, best 7 minutes of my week!😄👍 Learned a lot of cool stuff.🤘🎸
Great backstory. I've been a Rundgren fan ever since my buddy turned me on to the "Runt" album in Middle school. The first Utopia band concert at Santa Monica Civic was mind blowing!
I agree with you 100%. I have loved Todd Ever since I was 15 years old and my sister Robin took me to my first concert and I was blown away and I will always love Todd!! 🧡⭐️🧡⭐️🥰
Another great episode. So true about Todd blazing the trail for home recording. Now its almost a given that big artists have home studios especially a lot of country artists and many credit Todd for their technique. During Covid the home studio has become the new standard. Todd was so good and underrated in many circles. I think because he could write and produce as well as perform helped to make him so good! I first got turned on to Todd when a buddy played the Runt album for me with the song "We Gotta Get You A Woman" likely around 1972. Did you happen to catch Daryl's House with Todd Rundgren, if not its worth a watch!
I learned about Runt during my then day job about 25 years ago. Tony Sales and I shared between-gig job for a month or two. The guy knew how to tell a story.
This video brought back Memories of Todd producing an Album for the Tubes in Menlo Park at Music Annex studios in 1978. I worked in the building at the time as an entertainment agent. Uncool but I would hangout at the studio door hoping to get some sound leakage to hear what Todd was working on. Great Stuff Tim, you take me back to the early days of Rock and the best memories of my time living in So Cal (Tarzana).
Todd did alot of LSD back in the day for inspiration, he was and still is a musical genius good to see him still working and being a icon and mentor to younger musicians.
Nicely done, thank you. The first 'solo' album I am familiar with was 'Blues Alone' (1967), which except for the drumming by Keef Hartley was all John Mayall. Sure, Hartley's involvement was the caveat, however Mayall's effort did pre-date both McCartney and Todd and introduce the one-man band concept as we know it today. Mind, during his Nazz days Todd would apparently sneak into the studio, erase parts by other band members and replace them with his own versions. 'A Beautiful Song', which he penned, played ripping guitar and did the string arrangements stands as a monument to how wickedly good he was even as a teen. Of course 'Something/Anything' is one of the greatest of pop/rock albums. And though Todd did play everything on sides one through three, it is often overlooked that the players on side four were also stellar, with the Brecker Brothers on horns, Rick Derringer adding some guitar, Moogy Klingman on keys and drummer John Siomos on aongst other tracks, 'Hello, It's Me'. Siomos was later hit the big time after joining Peter Frampton's band, most notably heard on 'Frampton Comes Alive'. Indeed, his opening drum lick for 'Something's Happening' is what opens that album.
oddly my friend and I had a Nazz album and Runt album. In those days you could call in and win LPs at radio stations, which we did often. we would rummage through the cut-out stacks and look for jackets with the weirdest covers. I picked S/A but it was weeks later I said to my friend "wow, this is the same Runt dude" cos we never read jackets before. been a Todd follower since 69!
I have to say, the photo in S/A of Todd facing the window is one of my favorite R&R pics of all time. Its a picture worth a thousand words. Its obvious he's been up all night working and its early morning. BTW: I didn't find out til I researched for the video that the picture was taken by his audio engineer, James Lowe and it was Todd's very last day in the house ever.
@@RockessentialTim cool, I didn't know that. I met Todd a couple of times, once in Houston once in Austin. both times he just looked exhausted after performing top notch shows. a real approachable and kind man!
For some strange reason every season for many years I have to listen to a select number of albums and Something/Anything is one of them that falls into my Spring playlist.
Thank you! Did a lot of digging but as you mentioned, I will admit that a lot of it came from the book "A Wizard A True Star" by Paul Myers. And then of course there is that picture. Pretty much all his gear is in that fantastic photograph of Todd doing the victory sign.
Paul’s book is an invaluable source of information, he did great research and produced a really useful element to understanding Todd’s achievements as producer for his own and others’ work.
So many of these areas and people take me back to my teen years! One fine morning in ‘73 or ‘74 my friend and I were walking down Sunset (ditching school at HHS) when suddenly out of some random unmarked door bursts Todd Rundgren! Still had the multicolored hair. Quite a vibrant sight at 8:30 a.m.! My friend didn’t know who he was but I think I had already purchased Something/Anything then. At any rate, he looked pissed off (!) so we didn’t bother him.
wow !! as a life long Todd Rundgren fan I have to say this was awesome !! it's great to hear from someone who actually knows his facts about an artist, and obviously you are a real admirer of Todd. I love the presentation also, made me feel like I was right there when the album was recorded. really great insight into the mind of a genius.👍👍👍
It was interesting doing some deep research on him. He just seemed like a guy with a real competitive will to overcome obstacles. It was really lucky timing that the house was for sale too!
@@RockessentialTim I actually grew up about 15 minutes from his home in Upper Darby, Pa and now live about the same distance from there in the opposite direction. Always thought it would be cool to do something similar to this video except about his early years growing up in the Philadelphia area (first bands, clubs played, rehearsal spots and hangouts). lots of folklore and controversy surrounding those years, especially with The Nazz !!!
That was really interesting! I knew almost none of that, only that Todd had recorded S/A somewhere in LA, but I didn't know where or that he split time between home and the studio in town. I'm from L.A. and I know that area a little bit, so it's nice to think of that environment when I listen to the record. It's a very nice house - I wonder what it looked like back then? Thanks for the tour!
My guess is the house was more of a cottage back then. It was really hard to track down the address. He does all his recording now on a laptop wherever he may be.
Just saw Todd for the umpteenth time at Daryl's House. Sat 10 feet from him and drank along with him! He he brought Melanie... her big hit was "brand new key". He is a genius and VERY under rated.
I think I told you in a comment on a previous vid that when first moved to L.A. some 30 years ago now, I used to drive up to Astral and sit outside that house and listen to S/A? in my car and just think about it. Saw the original incarnation of Utopia in 1975; saw the 4-piece Utopia in 1978 (2 shows a night, two nights, at a small club in New Orleans -- he sent Eric Gardner to get me between shows on the second night 'cause he kept seeing me in the front row at all the shows); saw Todd do a solo show in the gym at Fairfax High School in L.A. fall of 1994 or so (where Phil Spector went to school and started The Teddy Bears); and saw him out here in the desert with his touring band (including Kasim and Prairie) in 2017 or thereabouts. That solo show, the last one on that tour, was a DISASTER! All his Apple computer gear crashed, his round revolving stage totally shut down, and all he had left was his vocal mic. He sat on the edge of that stage for about 2 hours and took requests, performing on an acoustic guitar. One of the best nights of my life... "If you've gotta pair of headphones, you'd better get 'em out and get 'em cranked up...'cause they're really gonna help you on this one..."
@@RockessentialTim No, sir...I live in Desert Hot Springs, just across the I-10 from Palm Springs (where I lived the first 13 years I was out here...).
The Putney synthesiser is English I believe (Putney is in London). Todd worked in the LA studio for 12 hours a day, then carried on at home. He asked his boss, Albert Grossman, of Bearsville Studios, Woodstock only for enough money to pay for studio costs in LA and there was a very tight deadline. Hence the long hours. Jane Hook, Emgland. only to pay for
I read some interviews about Todd's appreciation of Laura Nero and have come to realize her influence on his song writing. There were reviews after Something/Anything comparing him to Carole King, which of course made him uncomfortable. Todd didn't have to rely on his releases for income--he was doing fine with producing, so he went in other directions. Still, Something/Anything is something beautiful.
Agreed. I was talking to someone about his production the other day. I think all the albums he produced were the best sounding and played records by every one of those various artists. What I find somewhat odd is that for the most part, he does one or two records with them and they part ways. I'm wondering if its just that he's (was) somewhat of a taskmaster who doesn't dwell on the "art" part of the music and likes to keep things moving along, or is it Todd that perhaps gets bored and wants to move on to something completely different?
@@RockessentialTim The general consensus from back in the day is that Rundgren despised wasting time in the studio (which makes perfect sense given his early studio background - time is money). He expected the artists he agreed to produce to show up with fully-formed songs that would need little tweaking and certainly not any complete rewrites required. As a result, many artists found him offputting and difficult to work with. When you possess more recording / engineering talent in your little finger than most bands will ever have in their collective minds, it is completely understandable why Rundgren would come across as moody or even rude to quite a few of those folks.
@@jongibson2205 Would love, love love to spend just a couple hours as the fly on the wall when Todd is getting up sounds. He's in my top 5 all time for sure!
@@RockessentialTim Have you ever attempted to communicate with him? Might be worth an attempt via e-mail or his website. Given your music industry background, he may be interested enough to respond. And perhaps even invite you to a session the next time he leaves Hawaii to head to Los Angeles for work....
TODD has finally made it into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. After all these tries I am very happy for him although I personally hope he pulls a Marlon Brando and tells them to shove their award.
Wow, thanks for making this and mentioning Todd where he belongs in the echelon of the Beatles and Les Paul. a dream come true that someone did a video on the making of this album, getting to see where it happened after fantasizing about it. I was just out of high school in 2010 discovering this record that sent me on the quest I’m still on. The pinnacle.
This video in particular was so exciting to do. I love geeking out on recording equipment and there was quite a bit of documentation still floating around to reference from.
@@RockessentialTim I was going to say I really enjoyed the bits of information you shared. Any sources you came across you could share besides the book? Always looking to know more about that side of things witch artists I love. Would love to see you do an interview with Todd someday!
@@HunterHendricksonMusic The book was great but I found an interesting article in the BMI newsletter from years ago. And I have to say, a lot of his equipment is there in the inside cover photo. I did have a source who wishes to remain anonymous that was able to shed some light onto how Todd went about his business.
That is so cool of you! I actually talked to Elton on the phone just before I shot the film but because the Covid lockdown was in full swing he couldn't show me the studio. Oh well, timing right? But thanks again, it is appreciated.
He gets little credit. I would point out to friends the logistics of playing every instrument and they were oblivious. But all the work it was then. Todd throws out some of these songs as fluff but all is melodic and with no other players, he plays piano first, then maybe drums, then guitar, I think he sings last. But cobbling together the tracks and making it sound so good. Genius
celebrate this great video in nyc at the one star bar 147 w24st where up in the loft of the building todd had his secret sound recording studio where he made wizard/true star, todd, initiation, & utopia albums. other musicians recorded there as well. todd finally closed it down in 1996. 🎉
"Something/Anything" is a great record, for sure, but Paul McCartney (as noted) and Emmitt Rhodes made self-produced and self-performed albums before it - and the mother of self-recorded albums, Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," was made at about the same time.
Emmit Rhodes made a brilliant one man band pop album in 1970 (and another two after that) that is often described as "the best album Paul McCartney never made". I have to agree.
@@gregboboski9904 Did this vid during Covid lockdown so very little traffic but Rusk studios was closed because of it. Was able to get on the old Todd property cuz it was for sale and those guys never close.
Hey Tim, I've really enjoyed all of your Rock n' Roll Walking Tour spots and history that you've done so far ! Is it possible that you could do one on The Knack ? Their recording studio where they recorded 'Get The Knack,' Capitol Records where they sighed their contract on the roof, clubs where they played, and the band member's homes.
@@RockessentialTim Doug was a very cool guy. I got to meet him briefly twice as a fan. Since you and Doug Fieger were ex-Detroit residents in L.A.; it might make for an interesting angle featuring any other Rock Musicians originally from there and made L.A. their home ?!
Todd and Kasim also did Bat Out of Hell for Meatloaf. Todd really deserves to be inducted into that joke of The RR HOF status. He'd bring it up a notch or two! Back in 1980, MY GF's sister was all over Todd. From here on Long Island.
Check this out, its where I got some of my info www.discogs.com/James-Cotton-Blues-Band-Taking-Care-Of-Business/release/11142816 I think at the time of the James Cotten recording the (newish) Bearsville studio didn't have all the kinks worked out yet.
PS: There is a book called "A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio" that is pretty jammed packed with info about Todd"s recording career. Its a pretty cool read actually.
I know, right? But I always thought it sounded like Todd was having a good old time making it. I thought about it alot when I got my first Tascam 4 track way back when.
@@RockessentialTim Yes! I liked the gatefold inner shot of him with his hands out in his living room, lots of duct tape...improvising. In those days! What a strange beautiful album that is. I had the Tascam, too. I still have it in the closet. Everything sounded better in those days. It sounded like magic to me. I could put sound on sound!
1:00 - Paulie, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Shuggie Otis, Steve Winwood, Emmitt Rhodes, Lenny Kravitz, Dave Grohl, Richard Swift, Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Elise Trouw, Pedro Petracco ;) all recorded stuff by themselves, playing all instruments. Check out my self-produced, home recorded song "Espaço-Vídeo"!
@@RockessentialTim Thanks a lot, my man! Plugged it to Hunt Sales via Instagram the other day and got a "your track sounds great". You're making a bedroom producer very happy!
@@markrichards3747 There's a crazy rumour that the reason he was so quiet for 40 years was that he was Paul McCartneys 'Ghost Writer'! Crazy Tinfoil stuff but its a testament to Emitt that he Could have in terms of talent and ability. Only thing is he's actually better than that!
I think it was prolly torn down to one wall. They do that often here in LA to get around stickier permits but I don't know for sure. The address is the same though.
@@RockessentialTim Check out Pete’s “Scoop” recordings. Some of his demos sound better than what The Who released. His version of “Can You See The Real Me” has that funky feel. Less Led Zeppelin & more Lenny Kravitz.
The other side of the coin is that Todd was the beginning of the end to musical collaboration. Everything these days is overdubbed and often played by the same musician. Hmmm...
You say "this is what he did 7 days a week", going from studio direct to the house, in reality, you have NO IDEA if he did that or not! Who says he didn't have dinner and a few drinks between the two places?
All work and no play makes Todd a dull boy. Like you said, this being LA in the 70's and him living in the Hollywood Hills--my guess is he did his fair share.
Well.... Norman Smart played drums. Tony Sales played Bass on the most of the tracks. Tony's younger brother Hunt (whom I believe was 14 or 15 at the time) played drums on only one or two songs.
Reposting this from a previous comment: Todd Rundgren is nominated for the 2021 R&R Hall Of Fame for the 3rd year in a row. Let's FINALLY get him in! Search "Rock Hall Fan Vote" and vote: vote.rockhall.com/
Just revisited this video today ... i Smile all the way through
I was making “records” in my bedroom on a cassette 4-track-playing all the parts and singing-before I discovered Something/Anything. “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” was a revelation. But I mostly listened to side 4 (!).
Very cool.
I thought that photo was NYC.
I saw Todd in 1970 my second concert @ 16 after Tull it was right after leaving the Nazz.
He walked out into th audience when he sang Hello it me
He's been a pretty special artist for sure.
Hi Tim! You are the best story teller! Love when you tell some of the Rock and Roll histories and locations! Love it! Always fun visiting your channel! Pray all is well! God bless!
You know Char, It gives me so much hope to know there's folks like you out there. You are the best. Talk soon.
Great video! I’m a huge Todd Rundgren fan so this was very special to watch. Love your work! 👍
It was really fun to do. I was lucky that his old house was for sale but Covid kept us from going into ID Sound.
thanks for your videos & please keep them coming
Thank you. More to come (I hope).
"Something/Anything" is one of the best albums ever made.
This vid…….
Todd and Utopia’s work have been so profoundly intertwined with my life since I found him in 1980 when I was 16 and continues to this very day.
Something/Anything was literally the soundtrack of my 17th through 19th years.
If someone had told me back then that one day, I’d be able to watch a video and see ID Sound, along with the house where he shot that gatefold pic, I’d be checking that person’s arm for needle tracks. What a great thing you’ve done here and I’m personally incomprehensibly grateful to you for making it.
Also, if you’d like to hear the best Todd album that he never made, check out the ones from the act called Astral Drive. Phil Thornalley’s one of a kind. I promise you’ll love them. Thanks very much once again.
I really loved doing this video. I happened to be reading a book, "A Wizard A True Star" and it gave the Astral address. I happen to live less than a mile away so it was a no brainer. He happens to be one of my very favorite producer's and I think that part of his career every bit as fascinating as his music. Funny thing is that for me, I didn't get into him until much later, probably my mid thirties. I have heard of the Astral Drive album and just haven't had the time to get to it, but I will check it out. Thanks again for the cool comment!
Please feel free to totally geek-out with me discussing all things Todd!
A big mystery that the R&R Hall of Fame is not for a wizard a true star.
Please i
I have a 45 record of Todd’s song til I saw the light in your eyes and it was colored blue!!! A blue record!!!! 💕
@@Linda-pw8gx Sounds like a collectors item for sure. That is my favorite song on the album.
Excellent, saw Todd on his Glass guitar tour. Incredible music
I really liked the Nazz songs early on...didn't know anything about Todd until S/A...bought it when it came out and played it to death...long time fan now...have a son named Todd...he's 47 ...there's Todd, and everything else is just music
I think the only other artist that has that kind of effect on people is The Beatles. Todd!
Wow!!. What an unbelieveably talented guy. I bought the album 'Runt' on vinyl about 20 years ago in a second hand shop just because i thought the album art work looked interesting. I'd never heard of Todd Rundgren. Now, 'Believe in me' and 'Baby let's swing' are two of my fave songs. £7 well spent I reckon!
About 25 years ago at my very last day job and I got to know Tony Sales who also worked there. Super funny guy (must be in the genes). He turned me on to them.
Great to see the sites out there. Love your enthusiasm. Todd really put it all together here for this one. It’s a bit of lost innocence in a way, as the next album was his bold about face to being a pop superstar.
Someone here in the comments today said he got nominated again by the Rock Hall of Fame. He's always said he didn't care but I'm still glad he's got a shot.
An important LP for me, I realized one person could replicate a whole band.
These are entertaining. I appreciate your detailed knowledge on these classic albums. That iconic image of Todd in his living room conducting his gear inspired me as a kid. It planted an image in my brain of doing the same thing. I agree with you about Todd and his impact on musicians. I think every musician I have known love's Todd. I liked your comparison to Les Paul in his impact on music production. Good stuff!
Thanks, man. I think this might have been my favorite vid to record. I just Love Todd, especially as a producer. Fearless.
These videos have been very interesting and entertaining. Just checking out the Landscaping and architecture has been quite enjoyable ! Ty
Thank you. Part of the joy of making them is getting to check out the neighborhoods!
Saw James Cotton about 10 yrs ago at Windsor Blues Fest. Subscribed. Nice that the vids are of a length that I can squeeze em' in between so much other stuff I'm squeezing in.
In Windsor, Ontario?
@@RockessentialTim yes, Ontario. I seem to recall he was on stage w Buddy guy. Probably longer than 10 years ago ,likely about 15. I know I went in 94' 300zx I bought in 05'
Interesting. My mother is from Windsor and I've been there many times as a child.
Loving all your videos Tim. Fascinating info about music of this era which I've never heard from any other source.
Thanks, man. They are really a gas to do and I'm so happy people seem to like them.
What a great tour! You know so much history it is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. I love talking music while I walk.
Hey ...I really enjoyed this ....I'm an old from those days.......saw todd and band at the troubadour ...,doing I saw the light.....thank you.......have fun.
Very good. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to more on the rock stars that lived in Nichols Canyon.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The photo in S/A of Todd facing the window is one of my favorite R&R pics of all time. Its a picture worth a thousand words. It looks like (to me anyways) he's been up all night working and its early morning. BTW: I didn't find out til I researched for the video that the picture was taken by his audio engineer, James Lowe and it was Todd's very last day ever in the house.
2
Nixon... with the victory signs.
@@nope5445 Totally!
Yup! I must have spent a couple of hours looking at that.... Erm... Centerfold.
Me too..i love that image.. I spent many hours listening to something/ anything.. and it sounds even better today...
Nice video! Thanks a lot. Something/Anything? is one of my very favorite albums.
Fabulous series thanks.
Thank you.
Although I discovered this album a year or so after its release, I got pretty consumed by it. As a Beatle/Macca fan, it had a lot of that kind ofh creativity. Sunny pop like I Saw The Light, tear jerkers like It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference (Alison Krauss did a gorgeous version) and Cold Morning Light. Sound collages like The Night The Carouse Burned Down. The madcap Viking Song, the rocking Couldn't I Just Tell You.
I try not to think of the album as something made in a cooped up little studio, though, as so many of the tracks paint such great sonic pictures. Walking along the Hollywood Sea with a certain young lady, in the Viking Ship with Knute, cruising with Wolfman Jack and the sad scene of the burning carousel.
Its a really well crafted album, especially considering he was 22! I'm a recording nut and it just cracks me up when I hear him talk about sound on it. There is a book called "A Wizard A True Star" that entails his producing career and I found it absolutely fascinating.
Thanks for making me forget about my rough day at work. This was the best 7 minutes of my day! Hell, best 7 minutes of my week!😄👍 Learned a lot of cool stuff.🤘🎸
Yer welcome. And yes, Todd is a pretty amazing guy. Would love to sit down and talk with him.
2:05 - Wow! I didn't realise the Sales Bros were so young. Huge fan of those guys! Hunt still makes awesome music.
Something / Anything is pure magic! Thanks a lot for your videos!
Thank you again.
On my morning binge. Thanks Tim. "Work is love made visible" Kahlil Gibran
Thanks. This is one of my faves.
great videos . much appreciated
Love the Toddster!
great tour and out of the box info. loved that pegged synth. waiing for that Iggy episode. cheers steve
Iggy is my favorite but I'm not sure I'm up to the task!
This is awesome, thank you for telling the tale and sharing the location sight in the modern age!
Thank you. It was my pleasure to do this one.
@@RockessentialTim Awesome.
Great backstory. I've been a Rundgren fan ever since my buddy turned me on to the "Runt" album in Middle school. The first Utopia band concert at Santa Monica Civic was mind blowing!
In doing many of these videos I have come to think Todd fans are the most fervent.
I was, and am, totally obsessed with Todd and his music. Have loved him since the “ Todd” album. To me one of the best artist whose ever recorded.
I agree with you 100%. I have loved Todd Ever since I was 15 years old and my sister Robin took me to my first concert and I was blown away and I will always love Todd!! 🧡⭐️🧡⭐️🥰
Another great episode. So true about Todd blazing the trail for home recording. Now its almost a given that big artists have home studios especially a lot of country artists and many credit Todd for their technique. During Covid the home studio has become the new standard. Todd was so good and underrated in many circles. I think because he could write and produce as well as perform helped to make him so good! I first got turned on to Todd when a buddy played the Runt album for me with the song "We Gotta Get You A Woman" likely around 1972. Did you happen to catch Daryl's House with Todd Rundgren, if not its worth a watch!
I learned about Runt during my then day job about 25 years ago. Tony Sales and I shared between-gig job for a month or two. The guy knew how to tell a story.
This video brought back Memories of Todd producing an Album for the Tubes in Menlo Park at Music Annex studios in 1978. I worked in the building at the time as an entertainment agent. Uncool but I would hangout at the studio door hoping to get some sound leakage to hear what Todd was working on. Great Stuff Tim, you take me back to the early days of Rock and the best memories of my time living in So Cal (Tarzana).
Thanks and love the Tubes mention. IMO one of the most influential American bands of the 70's!
Todd did alot of LSD back in the day for inspiration, he was and still is a musical genius good to see him still working and being a icon and mentor to younger musicians.
Right on!!
Nicely done, thank you.
The first 'solo' album I am familiar with was 'Blues Alone' (1967), which except for the drumming by Keef Hartley was all John Mayall. Sure, Hartley's involvement was the caveat, however Mayall's effort did pre-date both McCartney and Todd and introduce the one-man band concept as we know it today. Mind, during his Nazz days Todd would apparently sneak into the studio, erase parts by other band members and replace them with his own versions. 'A Beautiful Song', which he penned, played ripping guitar and did the string arrangements stands as a monument to how wickedly good he was even as a teen.
Of course 'Something/Anything' is one of the greatest of pop/rock albums. And though Todd did play everything on sides one through three, it is often overlooked that the players on side four were also stellar, with the Brecker Brothers on horns, Rick Derringer adding some guitar, Moogy Klingman on keys and drummer John Siomos on aongst other tracks, 'Hello, It's Me'. Siomos was later hit the big time after joining Peter Frampton's band, most notably heard on 'Frampton Comes Alive'. Indeed, his opening drum lick for 'Something's Happening' is what opens that album.
oddly my friend and I had a Nazz album and Runt album. In those days you could call in and win LPs at radio stations, which we did often. we would rummage through the cut-out stacks and look for jackets with the weirdest covers. I picked S/A but it was weeks later I said to my friend "wow, this is the same Runt dude" cos we never read jackets before. been a Todd follower since 69!
I have to say, the photo in S/A of Todd facing the window is one of my favorite R&R pics of all time. Its a picture worth a thousand words. Its obvious he's been up all night working and its early morning. BTW: I didn't find out til I researched for the video that the picture was taken by his audio engineer, James Lowe and it was Todd's very last day in the house ever.
@@RockessentialTim cool, I didn't know that. I met Todd a couple of times, once in Houston once in Austin. both times he just looked exhausted after performing top notch shows. a real approachable and kind man!
@@marsdexter23 I have never met him but I do know his ex-son in law Royston pretty well. He had nothing but kind things to say about him.
There is a book, not the album called A Wizard A True Star that has a lot of really cool info on that stuff.
thanks love todd
thanks for this. Wonderful stuff 💜
For some strange reason every season for many years I have to listen to a select number of albums and Something/Anything is one of them that falls into my Spring playlist.
You obviously have excellent taste in Spring.
TR recreated the home studio back in New York for his next album, A Wizard/A True Star. He called it Secret Sounds.
I read a little about it when I was researching for this. What an album!
I've never heard this album. I better give it a listen.
Todd has got quite the resume!
Prolly in my top 5 all-time producers.
Thank you for making this. Sounds like you have read Paul Myers "Todd Rundgren in the Studio" book.
Thank you! Did a lot of digging but as you mentioned, I will admit that a lot of it came from the book "A Wizard A True Star" by Paul Myers. And then of course there is that picture. Pretty much all his gear is in that fantastic photograph of Todd doing the victory sign.
Paul’s book is an invaluable source of information, he did great research and produced a really useful element to understanding Todd’s achievements as producer for his own and others’ work.
So many of these areas and people take me back to my teen years! One fine morning in ‘73 or ‘74 my friend and I were walking down Sunset (ditching school at HHS) when suddenly out of some random unmarked door bursts Todd Rundgren! Still had the multicolored hair. Quite a vibrant sight at 8:30 a.m.! My friend didn’t know who he was but I think I had already purchased Something/Anything then. At any rate, he looked pissed off (!) so we didn’t bother him.
He would have prolly loved it. I think he spent a lot of time in The Canyon.
Where did learn all this lore you so
Knowledgeable!
I lead a seriously boring life so I read a lot!
wow !! as a life long Todd Rundgren fan I have to say this was awesome !! it's great to hear from someone who actually knows his facts about an artist, and obviously you are a real admirer of Todd. I love the presentation also, made me feel like I was right there when the album was recorded. really great insight into the mind of a genius.👍👍👍
It was interesting doing some deep research on him. He just seemed like a guy with a real competitive will to overcome obstacles. It was really lucky timing that the house was for sale too!
@@RockessentialTim I actually grew up about 15 minutes from his home in Upper Darby, Pa and now live about the same distance from there in the opposite direction. Always thought it would be cool to do something similar to this video except about his early years growing up in the Philadelphia area (first bands, clubs played, rehearsal spots and hangouts). lots of folklore and controversy surrounding those years, especially with The Nazz !!!
@@JoeyBrunoMusicArchives Get yourself a Gopro and get at it!
That was really interesting! I knew almost none of that, only that Todd had recorded S/A somewhere in LA, but I didn't know where or that he split time between home and the studio in town. I'm from L.A. and I know that area a little bit, so it's nice to think of that environment when I listen to the record. It's a very nice house - I wonder what it looked like back then? Thanks for the tour!
My guess is the house was more of a cottage back then. It was really hard to track down the address. He does all his recording now on a laptop wherever he may be.
Just saw Todd for the umpteenth time at Daryl's House. Sat 10 feet from him and drank along with him! He he brought Melanie... her big hit was "brand new key". He is a genius and VERY under rated.
He says he doesn't care that the R&R Hall of Fame has never elected him. Its crazy.
@@RockessentialTim That's all BS anyway. Anyone who loves pop music knows what a genius Todd is.
First bought it on 8-track. Even sounded good back then.
Nice...I'd like to work with him on a few projects....
ROCK ON FREAKS
I think I told you in a comment on a previous vid that when first moved to L.A. some 30 years ago now, I used to drive up to Astral and sit outside that house and listen to S/A? in my car and just think about it. Saw the original incarnation of Utopia in 1975; saw the 4-piece Utopia in 1978 (2 shows a night, two nights, at a small club in New Orleans -- he sent Eric Gardner to get me between shows on the second night 'cause he kept seeing me in the front row at all the shows); saw Todd do a solo show in the gym at Fairfax High School in L.A. fall of 1994 or so (where Phil Spector went to school and started The Teddy Bears); and saw him out here in the desert with his touring band (including Kasim and Prairie) in 2017 or thereabouts. That solo show, the last one on that tour, was a DISASTER! All his Apple computer gear crashed, his round revolving stage totally shut down, and all he had left was his vocal mic. He sat on the edge of that stage for about 2 hours and took requests, performing on an acoustic guitar. One of the best nights of my life... "If you've gotta pair of headphones, you'd better get 'em out and get 'em cranked up...'cause they're really gonna help you on this one..."
I love how a great performer can take lemons and make lemonade. Its really a gift. PS: Do you live in Arizona?
@@RockessentialTim No, sir...I live in Desert Hot Springs, just across the I-10 from Palm Springs (where I lived the first 13 years I was out here...).
I am a HUGE Todd fan and you said everything that only us nerds know about. What an amazing video. Thank you!
Thank you. But to be honest, pretty much any Todd fan is a Todd nerd!
The Putney synthesiser is English I believe (Putney is in London). Todd worked in the LA studio for 12 hours a day, then carried on at home. He asked his boss, Albert Grossman, of Bearsville Studios, Woodstock only for enough money to pay for studio costs in LA and there was a very tight deadline. Hence the long hours. Jane Hook, Emgland.
only to pay for
Wow! Way cool.
Todd was “A Wizard a True Star”. And anyone that saw him do a Show in mid 70’s would Never Forget!
Great video,
Just a note: "Hello its Me" was recorded in NYC , as was all of side 4 .
He didn't do the one man band thing with side 4 either. Full on studio peeps.
I read some interviews about Todd's appreciation of Laura Nero and have come to realize her influence on his song writing. There were reviews after Something/Anything comparing him to Carole King, which of course made him uncomfortable. Todd didn't have to rely on his releases for income--he was doing fine with producing, so he went in other directions. Still, Something/Anything is something beautiful.
Agreed. I was talking to someone about his production the other day. I think all the albums he produced were the best sounding and played records by every one of those various artists. What I find somewhat odd is that for the most part, he does one or two records with them and they part ways. I'm wondering if its just that he's (was) somewhat of a taskmaster who doesn't dwell on the "art" part of the music and likes to keep things moving along, or is it Todd that perhaps gets bored and wants to move on to something completely different?
@@RockessentialTim The general consensus from back in the day is that Rundgren despised wasting time in the studio (which makes perfect sense given his early studio background - time is money). He expected the artists he agreed to produce to show up with fully-formed songs that would need little tweaking and certainly not any complete rewrites required. As a result, many artists found him offputting and difficult to work with. When you possess more recording / engineering talent in your little finger than most bands will ever have in their collective minds, it is completely understandable why Rundgren would come across as moody or even rude to quite a few of those folks.
@@jongibson2205 Would love, love love to spend just a couple hours as the fly on the wall when Todd is getting up sounds. He's in my top 5 all time for sure!
@@RockessentialTim Have you ever attempted to communicate with him? Might be worth an attempt via e-mail or his website. Given your music industry background, he may be interested enough to respond. And perhaps even invite you to a session the next time he leaves Hawaii to head to Los Angeles for work....
@@jongibson2205 Thanks for the idea!
TODD has finally made it into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. After all these tries I am very happy for him although I personally hope he pulls a Marlon Brando and tells them to shove their award.
That's precisely what happened. ;)
Wow, thanks for making this and mentioning Todd where he belongs in the echelon of the Beatles and Les Paul. a dream come true that someone did a video on the making of this album, getting to see where it happened after fantasizing about it. I was just out of high school in 2010 discovering this record that sent me on the quest I’m still on. The pinnacle.
This video in particular was so exciting to do. I love geeking out on recording equipment and there was quite a bit of documentation still floating around to reference from.
@@RockessentialTim I was going to say I really enjoyed the bits of information you shared. Any sources you came across you could share besides the book? Always looking to know more about that side of things witch artists I love. Would love to see you do an interview with Todd someday!
@@HunterHendricksonMusic The book was great but I found an interesting article in the BMI newsletter from years ago. And I have to say, a lot of his equipment is there in the inside cover photo. I did have a source who wishes to remain anonymous that was able to shed some light onto how Todd went about his business.
Looks like Todd will finally get into the RRHOF this year. Long Overdue. Happy for him.
Your kidding? I didn't know about it. About time, right?
My favorite part of I.D, Sound was the Alvin & The Chipmunks history. I loved those records when I was a kid!
This is amazing .. my friend Elton Ahi owns Rusk.. he would be happy to show you around im sure.. super nice and talented guy
That is so cool of you! I actually talked to Elton on the phone just before I shot the film but because the Covid lockdown was in full swing he couldn't show me the studio. Oh well, timing right? But thanks again, it is appreciated.
He gets little credit. I would point out to friends the logistics of playing every instrument and they were oblivious. But all the work it was then. Todd throws out some of these songs as fluff but all is melodic and with no other players, he plays piano first, then maybe drums, then guitar, I think he sings last. But cobbling together the tracks and making it sound so good. Genius
I'd add to it but you said it all. Thanks!
nice story
celebrate this great video in nyc at the one star bar 147 w24st where up in the loft of the building todd had his secret sound recording studio where he made wizard/true star, todd, initiation, & utopia albums. other musicians recorded there as well. todd finally closed it down in 1996. 🎉
Would make a great episode, thanks.
"Something/Anything" is a great record, for sure, but Paul McCartney (as noted) and Emmitt Rhodes made self-produced and self-performed albums before it - and the mother of self-recorded albums, Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," was made at about the same time.
Emmit Rhodes made a brilliant one man band pop album in 1970 (and another two after that) that is often described as "the best album Paul McCartney never made". I have to agree.
Gotta love that guy! Also referred to as "The One Man Beatles".
May he rest in power.
Btw, Richard! C h e c k m y s i n g l e "Espaço-Vídeo" for a contemporary Beatlesque bedroom produced one-man single.
It sounds cool. Nicely done!
Emitt Rhodes did a record where he played everything in 1970.It is a fantastic record as well !
Wow, there is a name I haven't heard in awhile! If memory serves, he had kind of a Big Star vibe? I'll have to go recheck him out. Thanks!
@@RockessentialTim Very much a Paul McCartney sound.Check out his self titled album.
John Mayall did an album in 1967 called The Blues Alone in which he played almost everything.
Thanks for the Vid, grp buy for the house time share ?
LOL.
@@RockessentialTim They wouldn't let you in the studio ? seeing the sites was a nice part of your Vid, streets looked quiet , on a Sunday ?
@@gregboboski9904 Did this vid during Covid lockdown so very little traffic but Rusk studios was closed because of it. Was able to get on the old Todd property cuz it was for sale and those guys never close.
I wonder how they synced up the tape machines from different locations in those days?
I believe ID Recorders had a 16 at the time and he had a Scully 8 up at the house.
Correct.
Hey Tim, I've really enjoyed all of your Rock n' Roll Walking Tour spots and history that you've done so far ! Is it possible that you could do one on The Knack ? Their recording studio where they recorded 'Get The Knack,' Capitol Records where they sighed their contract on the roof, clubs where they played, and the band member's homes.
I didn't know Doug Fieger well but I had met him a couple times. He was from Detroit like me. Interesting...
@@RockessentialTim Doug was a very cool guy. I got to meet him briefly twice as a fan. Since you and Doug Fieger were ex-Detroit residents in L.A.; it might make for an interesting angle featuring any other Rock Musicians originally from there and made L.A. their home ?!
I like the Detroit angle!
No!
Todd and Kasim also did Bat Out of Hell for Meatloaf. Todd really deserves to be inducted into that joke of The RR HOF status. He'd bring it up a notch or two! Back in 1980, MY GF's sister was all over Todd. From here on Long Island.
I thought all the Bearsville acts, like James Cotton recorded in the town of Bearsville, NY.
Check this out, its where I got some of my info www.discogs.com/James-Cotton-Blues-Band-Taking-Care-Of-Business/release/11142816
I think at the time of the James Cotten recording the (newish) Bearsville studio didn't have all the kinks worked out yet.
PS: There is a book called "A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio" that is pretty jammed packed with info about Todd"s recording career. Its a pretty cool read actually.
Thank you..I adore my Todd❤️❤️❤️❤️
Awesome video BTW! Love learning about all things Todd!
He is such a totally interesting artist.
What was that song used in the closing?
I cannot use copyrighted music so I write and produce the music for the vids myself. It is an original song written for the vids.
This is the sound of bad editing!
This album inspired me to make my own music, it showed me how.
I know, right? But I always thought it sounded like Todd was having a good old time making it. I thought about it alot when I got my first Tascam 4 track way back when.
@@RockessentialTim Yes! I liked the gatefold inner shot of him with his hands out in his living room, lots of duct tape...improvising. In those days! What a strange beautiful album that is. I had the Tascam, too. I still have it in the closet. Everything sounded better in those days. It sounded like magic to me. I could put sound on sound!
P's Popping!
@@CodeBleu724 This is the sound of b b bad ed d diting!
Stephen Stills self titled solo album is almost all Stills on every instrument, too.
1:00 - Paulie, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Shuggie Otis, Steve Winwood, Emmitt Rhodes, Lenny Kravitz, Dave Grohl, Richard Swift, Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Elise Trouw, Pedro Petracco ;) all recorded stuff by themselves, playing all instruments.
Check out my self-produced, home recorded song "Espaço-Vídeo"!
Some pretty popular names in there!
I think I may have already posted this but I listened to your song. It was very cool.
@@RockessentialTim Thanks a lot, my man! Plugged it to Hunt Sales via Instagram the other day and got a "your track sounds great". You're making a bedroom producer very happy!
yes and springsteen’s nebraska is the lofi diy classic. 🎉
@@meesalikeu Nice. Didn't know that album. Pretty ahead of its time for 1982 indeed.
The great Emmitt Rhodes from Hawthorne also pioneered playing everything himself.
RIP with a great final album
@@johnroberts2957 His last album was very fine indeed
I have vinyl copies of his three albums. The sound he created is phenomenal. Great call on Rhodes!
@@markrichards3747 There's a crazy rumour that the reason he was so quiet for 40 years was that he was Paul McCartneys 'Ghost Writer'! Crazy Tinfoil stuff but its a testament to Emitt that he Could have in terms of talent and ability. Only thing is he's actually better than that!
Well his results speak for themselves and rumors like that wouldn't come about if Rhodes didn't have massive talent.
"I'm falling in love with the singer."
Stevie Wonder was playing all the instruments on some of his albums, as well as McCartney.
I recently gave a critical listen to Stevie's version of "Superstition" and his drumming on it is mind-blowingly great!
Todd used an Ampex 440-B 1" 8-track for the Something/Anything tracks. Not a Scully.
Wasn’t the house on Astral torn down and rebuilt?
I think it was prolly torn down to one wall. They do that often here in LA to get around stickier permits but I don't know for sure. The address is the same though.
A Wizard, a True Star!✌️
Pete Townsend is also a home studio pioneer.
I heard his producer used to be freaked out at trying to top Pete's demos.
@@RockessentialTim Check out Pete’s “Scoop” recordings. Some of his demos sound better than what The Who released. His version of “Can You See The Real Me” has that funky feel. Less Led Zeppelin & more Lenny Kravitz.
Thank!. I've heard it in passing before but never really took a deep listen.
Hello it's me was his best song
Another artist who was a pioneer of producing his own music in his home studio was Frank Zappa
Right on. Working on a Zappa piece soon. He was one of a kind!
Pretty Accurate ..... ;-)
The other side of the coin is that Todd was the beginning of the end to musical collaboration. Everything these days is overdubbed and often played by the same musician. Hmmm...
Todd is an under rated genius. Outstanding in his field. *see what I did there* - Anthony
when someone listens to an album like S/A he's a privileged.
As well as Healing, or A wizard a true star
You say "this is what he did 7 days a week", going from studio direct to the house, in reality, you have NO IDEA if he did that or not! Who says he didn't have dinner and a few drinks between the two places?
In reality, YOU ARE CORRECT! I have no idea if he stopped or not. If it were me at 22 years old I would have been getting shit-faced every night!
@@RockessentialTim Haha and made a slightly less great record? LOL, I do enjoy your vids.
All work and no play makes Todd a dull boy. Like you said, this being LA in the 70's and him living in the Hollywood Hills--my guess is he did his fair share.
Norman smart did ballad not Tony sales
Well.... Norman Smart played drums. Tony Sales played Bass on the most of the tracks. Tony's younger brother Hunt (whom I believe was 14 or 15 at the time) played drums on only one or two songs.
a crime that the RHOF continues to snub Todd . . just my opinion
He says he doesn't care but I would think just his production credits alone would get him in.
I agree!
"Kahunas", not "cojones"?
Well, Todd lives in Hawaii now, so...
LOL! Yeah, I tend to take a few liberties with the narration....
Reposting this from a previous comment: Todd Rundgren is nominated for the 2021 R&R Hall Of Fame for the 3rd year in a row. Let's FINALLY get him in! Search "Rock Hall Fan Vote" and vote: vote.rockhall.com/