On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of reconnecting with an old musical friend – Todd Rundgren. As many of you know, I am a longtime fan of Todd's – going back to my Philly roots.
This concert, described by bassist Kasim Sultan was a "plug in and play" show, was part of the short "Freeze Your Ass Off" tour. There was no warm up band, no sets or effects, just four guys pumping out the rock to warm the gray haired crowd of faithful fans.
Todd, clad in sexy black leather pants and black t-shirt, was joined by his longtime bass-player, Kasim Sultan, guitarist Jesse Gress, and former Journey drummer, Prairie Prince to "shred" his rock anthem guitar solos.
This tight set did not indulge us with love ballads or metaphysical questions, instead the songs were collected from the rockers of Todd's 30 plus year oeuvre.
Set List: All songs from Todd Rundgren albums, unless noted
Buffalo Grass
2000 One Long Year
I Hate My Frickin' ISP
2000 One Long Year
Black Maria
1972 Something/Anything?
Soul Brother
Cover
Mammon
2004 Liars
Fascist Christ
1993 No World Order
I Saw The Light
1972 Something/Anything? a top 100 hit
Black and White
1976 Faithful
Lunatic Fringe
Cover
#1 Lowest Common Denominator
1974 Todd
Drive
1983 Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
Tiny Demons
1981 Healing
Mystified
1985 Utopia, POV
Broke Down and Busted
1970 Runt
Slut
1972 Something /Anything?
The Walls Came Down
Cover original by The Call
One World
1982 Utopia, Swing To The Right
Encore:
Hawking
1989 Nearly Human
Trapped
1977 Oops Wrong Planet
World Wide Epiphany
1993 No World Order
Todd entertained the crowd with short comments, but mostly with his great, tight songs, guitar solos, and a little fancy footwork, that looked pretty good for a guy turning sixty.
Shout outs to old friends Kate and Bill, and of course to Lani, who was selling merchandise. She helped me pick out my new sage green Foamy sweatshirt. Foamy is Todd's guitar.
Links:
The Todd Rundgren Connection – Website with everything you always needed to know about Todd Rundgren.
Todd Rundgren Radio - Web Radio at it's finest. New weekly shows about all things Todd.
Michele Rundgren - This link is to "iTune In, iTune Out," a hilarious one act play, written and directed by Michele Rundgren.
YouTube Metalunatic has posted individual videos of Todd performing most of the songs in the Set List above, at a concert from May 2007. Other You-Tuber's have posted videos from the current tour, as well.
Todd Rundgren interview on Minnesota Public Radio. Todd appeared on "Mid Morning" on the day of the concert. The interview can be heard here.


Some guy yelled out for them to play "White Punks on Dope".
Prairie Prince was known more for The Tubes.
Thanks for the set list.
Posted by: tt | January 26, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Hello!
new to the forums. just thought i would introduce myself!
My name is Rick
Posted by: inintyhon | February 02, 2008 at 02:20 AM
Thanks for the compliment about Rundgren Radio! Rundgren Radio II is going to be launched soon and can be found at www.RundgrenRadio2.com probably the first of May '08.
Posted by: Doug | April 16, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Great Review! Thanks
Bob
Posted by: Bub | May 06, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Todd is a cool dude. Intelligent,Tall + handsome...
Posted by: TONY ANTONI | June 06, 2008 at 10:42 AM
todd:you have been my one & only favorite artist almost all my life.i was listening for the first time at 15 yrs.young? by then i was an adult..so i knew then & now you and i have the same points of view.we have always known right from wrong.another subject we see eye 2 eye is LOVE,COMPASSION,THE GOLDEN RULE & GOD.if i am wrong i would dearly appreciate 4 you 2 please set me STRAIT!!! i do not know your e- mail address.i would like to talk to you. i believe you are a genius- who else could be better to e-mail - & have a wonderful conversation with!?!? bye the bye my b.d. is 6/24/1959. we are only 11 years apart...how uber cool is that?!?! todd you now have my e-mail address -PLEASE respond if it is only 1 word. hope it is not a horrible word.{HA-HA} LOVE TO YOU SENT YOUR WAY.[ME.]
Posted by: janice thompson | November 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM