Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren, born on June 22, 1948, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, is an influential American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for his diverse musical style, Rundgren has explored genres including pop, rock, progressive, electronic, R&B, psychedelia, and soft rock. He began his career in the mid-1960s and formed the psychedelic band Nazz in 1967. After leaving Nazz, he embarked on a successful solo career, achieving his first US top 40 hit with "We Gotta Get You a Woman" in 1970.
Rundgren's most recognized songs include "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw the Light" from his 1972 album "Something/Anything?", as well as "Can We Still Be Friends" (1978) and "Bang the Drum All Day" (1983). His work has been influential in the power pop genre, particularly the song "Couldn't I Just Tell You" (1972). A pioneer in electronic music, progressive rock, and music videos, Rundgren was also an early adopter of computer technologies for music distribution.
As a producer, Rundgren has worked with notable artists and bands, producing albums such as Badfinger's "Straight Up" (1971), Grand Funk Railroad's "We're an American Band" (1973), the New York Dolls' self-titled album (1973), Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell" (1977), and XTC's "Skylarking" (1986). His innovative contributions to music and technology earned him an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. In addition to his musical endeavors, Rundgren has been involved in multimedia art and interactive projects, further showcasing his versatility and creativity.