City In My Head

Throughout my life there has always been a soundtrack..........background music as well as music in the foreground. I can safely say that the music that I somehow attached myself to has motivated me when I needed motivation, inspired me when I needed inspiration, comforted me when I needed to be comforted, and even expressed misery musically when I felt miserable. It has always been there for me. Maybe one day I will write about all of the assorted musicians and their output that affected me.......it is a wide range.........but for now, there is reason to write about an important portion of that wide range.......especially for me.

I had become a fan of Todd Rundgren a long time ago.......maybe 1971 or 72. You can say that I am a HUGE Toddhead. There was something that was special about his music both musically and lyrically that not only was a treat to my ears, but also grabbed at my inner core. I connected with it. It was all different from what other music I enjoyed and I suppose that really made it appealing for me........you know......being a non-conformist and the desire to march to the beat of a different drum. Who would know what music would come from Rundgren in the future.....I would have to wait and listen.

Rundgren was always on the cutting edge and there were subtle and not so subtle clues in his music and lyrics that would hint at the things to come from him. One of those prognostications was on his 1973 album "A Wizard A True Star". Said to be probably Rundgren's most critically acclaimed piece of work and probably his own personal favorite record, the music was all over the place and a complex work of art. It was a complete curve thrown at you if anyone was expecting this follow-up album to "Something/Anything". I remember one specific statement made on that album that caught my attention. It was in the short lyrics of "Le International Feel"................." Here we are again at the start of the end, But there's More. Wait another year and Utopia is here, and there's always more."

There it was.........and sure enough in 1974, "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" was released and my world changed.

"City in my head, Utopia
Heaven in my body, Utopia
It's time for me, for me to go

City in my head, Utopia
Heaven in my body, Utopia
Into the sky, it rises now"

Utopia........this was awesome.......way ahead of the rest of the world.......complex, different, my complete core was rattled by this music. I couldn't get enough of it. This was progressive rock at its finest. Top notch musicians........yes, the very same musicians that played on the A Wizard A True Star album. The backup band is now THE band of all bands.






"The question comes to mind
About what should be done
And how much of the old will die
That the new may be begun
But you don't have to be afraid
Of being alone with nowhere to run.

You don't have to be afraid
To look yourself in the eye
You don't have to be afraid not to lie.

Someone knows who you are
Someone watches over you
Someone knows how you feel
And someone feels the same.

And the truth will come and the change will come
It's just a question of how and when"
from The Ikon

This music was meant to be............well......it struck a nerve for me both musically and lyrically. There was something magical about it........maybe it wasn't magic at all........it was as if God was the producer of all of this.

Anyone that is a Toddhead or is familiar with Todd Rundgren is well aware that he is a restless spirit and you never fully know what to expect from him on his next album. He surely gets it right the first time then moves on to another genre or angle and achieves his personal goal and then moves on from there. This also applied to the concept and music of the band Utopia.

Todd Rundgren's Utopia only released two albums "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" and in 1975 "Another Live". For the Another Live record, drummer Kevin Ellman was replaced by John "Willie" Wilcox and Roger Powell was added to the lineup on keyboards. All the while, Todd was still recording his own solo albums and producing albums for other artists. The original Utopia had Hunt and Tony Sales (Soupy Sales sons) on bass and drums but they never recorded. The band then morphed into what is known as the "Mark II" version with Kevin Ellman on drums, Mark "Moogy" Klingman on keyboards, Ralph Shuckett on keyboards, John Siegler on bass, and Jean Yves "Frog" Labat on synthesizers and effects.

After the Another Live album, Todd Rundgren's Utopia became simply "Utopia" and the lineup was Todd on guitar, Roger Powell on keyboards, Willie Wilcox on drums and Kasim Sulton on bass. This lineup. known as "Mark III" would remain together until the mid-1980's. They got together for a reunion tour and album in 1992 and then two years ago Todd, Roger, and Kasim took the stage as the opening act for Todd's Wizard A True Star tour two years ago adding Prairie Prince on drums.

In recent years Todd manages to offer up some Utopia songs in his setlist but those songs are primarily from the Mark III version of Utopia. The only Mark II offering occasionally would be a taste of The Ikon or The Wheel. Those fans who have longed to see the Mark II Utopia have been resigned to the fact that they would never hear certains songs such as the Utopia Theme and The Ikon performed in its entirety as surely not performed by the original members of Utopia.

Never gonna happen................but...........

.........the planets must have aligned.............what could never happen again has happened. The Mark II version of Utopia took the stage for two nights at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on January 29th and 30th. "But there's always more!"..............Todd had said so himself back in the day.

Sadly, the reason for this reunion is that it was for the benefit of Moogy Klingman. It turns out that Moogy has terminal cancer and needs money to pay for alternative treatments. He has been through the chemo and radiation....the whole enchilada. The relationship between Moogy and Todd had become nil over the years........legal issues....etc. From the best of friends........"brothers".......to zilch. As much as Utopia was Todd's vision, it was also very much Moogy's as well. While Todd's career continued and Utopia continued........Moogy was relatively obscure and unnoticed in the music buisiness. In interviews with Moogy, you could tell that he somewhat resented no longer getting the attention that he once had and he has been quick to offer up details of the history of Utopia and how most of what we all know about Todd and Utopia would have never happened if not for Moogy. This is all very true.

Rundgren was performing at the Iridium club in NY with the Les Paul Trio.......a one-off show and Moogy showed up and watched the show..........well.......let me back up a little. Moogy wanted to get the guys together for a club date and play the old Utopia stuff.......just Moogy, John Siegler, Ralph Shuckett and Kevin Ellman to try to raise some money for cancer treatments. They all agreed........but there was one missing piece of the pie........Todd Rundgren. Moogy didn't think Todd would even speak to him, much less agree to reunite for a show. RundgrenRadio show host Doug Ford told Moogy to go see Todd at the Iridium and talk to him. Moogy went to the show and afterwards met up with Todd. Without question, one look at Moogy and you can tell that he has cancer......he does not look good. So imagine Moogy walking up to Todd and having a conversation............just imagine...........I am sure that Moogy was hesitant and not very optimistic that Todd would be accepting of him........BUT........Moogy says that Todd said "You were here for the show? Why didn't you come up on stage and join in?" Imagine that. It was at that moment that Moogy thought he had a chance to get Todd to join the rest of the guys one more time.

Moogy got his dream fulfilled.......Todd said "I'm in. When?"

I wish I could have gone to the show but it sold out rather quickly. There are YouTube videos and a Video On Demand available of the second show. Moogy came alive during the show......it was amazing. They guys picked right up where they left off some 35 years ago as if it was yesterday. As I watched the video of them playing the Utopia Theme........I kept filling up with emotion........both my own reasons and for Moogy................and then Todd sings "City in my head......" and the tears came from my eyes. And I know there had to be people in that audience that cried as I did. It was unbelievable.

Thanks Utopia!

Related articles

• Todd Rundgren Reforms Utopia for One-Off Gig in New York (spinner.com)
• RundgrenRadio.com Presents a Todd Rundgren 2011 Tour Featuring His Healing and Todd Albums Live in Concert in Five Different Cities (prweb.com)
• Book Review: A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio by Paul Myers (blogcritics.org)
• Michael Sigman: Moogy's Gotta Have Friends (huffingtonpost.com)

Happy New Year! 2010

To quote Todd Rundgren, "Here we are again at the start of the end.........but there's more."

After looking back.......way back.......and reminiscing........it is hard to believe we find ourselves at the start of the year 2010............wow........I just never imagined or even thought of what it would be like. As it turns out, while there are so many things that we have today that are great and useful to our lives, sadly there are way too many things that are just plain disgusting. How can we all do as Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon says and "Move forward" while there is so much that is turned upside down and going backwards?

In my own personal life, I have only a few regrets and if I had everything to do over again I probably would not want to change much. Could life have been better?.........sure.........Could I have done things differently?..........probably so..........but everything could have been different if we all weren't busy being screwed by our politicians all of these years. While we were all so busy getting on with life and not paying much attention, the politicians and our government as a whole have been on a course setting up our demise......slowly and surely. Now, in 2010......the pace seems to be hurried and not so slow as it has been before. Giant steps backward have taken place and the sad thing about it is that each and every one of us share some of the blame for it for not paying attention and leaving all sorts of doors open for the corruption and ridiculousness that we have today in our world.

Sure, I could probably try to put together a list of all sorts of stuff that fit the mold here as examples...........but I really don't think I need to be the one to point out all of the details for you.......just pay a little more attention folks and you can't miss the obvious with your own eyes and ears. What I will do, though, is offer up a few of my own New Years resolutions.........not that those can or will be accomplished.......or that anyone actually cares what Ole Signtopia wants to do as if what I do is all that important or interesting...........hmmmmm........well......apparently there are a few people and I know this because I do have more than just a few that actually follow this blog.

So here we go............

Signtopia's New Year's Resolutions 2010:

1. Push for the Fair Tax plan as proposed by Neal Boortz. The Fair Tax plan makes good sense and now, more than ever, we need it badly. Can this be done?........only if everybody steps up to the plate and demands it. We all want what is fair.......right?...........but we might need my next resolution accomplished first in order to get this one.

2. Tighten the reins........as if there are any........on the existing politicians and hold them accountable. Why should we let them do things and get away with their shenanigans and reward them with re-elections? I personally plan to do my part by voting each and every one of them out of a job until the slate is wiped clean. No easy task.....but we can do this.

3. More beach vacation. Simple enough........I could easily take the short drive to Ocean City, MD a few times a year......but that won't do it for me........I would much rather be in the Caribbean.

4. More music. This resolution consists of a few actions on my part. Write a couple of songs. Go to a few more concerts such as a Todd Rundgren concert. More Uncle Murray Band.....hehehe.

5. Cut the hair. Yes.....cut the hair. I have grown it for quite some time and while it may have become my standard to have long hair, I did grow it ridiculously long for a reason and that reason was to donate it to Locks Of Love for cancer patients.

Okay.......not so bad.....only five resolutions.........I do have more, but why be whole hog about it?....hehehe.

The other day I recieved an email which had the following picture:

The email was as follows..........

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul , Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning last November's Presidential election:

* Number of States won by: Obama: 19 McCain: 29
* Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 McCain: 2,427,000
* Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million McCain: 143 million
* Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory McCain won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.

Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low income tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..."

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegals and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.

Apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.

Todd Rundgren Concert Part 2

As promised, here are the concert photos taken by Dean Martin's friend TJ.

People may have questioned what the result would be with Rachel Haden on bass. I think that while everybody, for the most part would have had Kasim Sulton play the bass on the tour, they ended up pleasantly surprised. She did a great job and added an element that had not been seen or heard at a Todd concert. Although she is very young, all of the old gray-haired dudes in the audience could drool with for good reason. I hope we all get to see Rachel again on another tour.

Todd Rundgren blew us all away with his guitar on this night. Many would say that he had strayed from the guitar for several years........well.........the man has not lost his touch and he verified why he should be held in high regard as a guitar player. Unbelievable!

It was loud. It was proud. It was exactly what we all needed. The right songs......the right theme......the right volume......the right venue.........and if you missed this show, you are a loser.
Let me put it correctly........if you didn't know about the show you have missed much. If you knew about the show but didn't attend.....then you are a loser.

While many years have passed since Todd first arrived in the music scene, he certainly has not failed to get better and better.......which is hard to do considering he was one of the best from the get-go. He has not failed to please........even though he has ventured into sometimes risky genres. Even if his music is not your cup of tea, you never feel ripped off after his performance. I have no idea where he gets his energy.

Rachel Haden thumped away on the bass as Kasim Sulton was providing some keyboards. Yeah......sure......Kasim can play keyboards.....remember?........remember "Love Alone" by Utopia?...........the man has many talents.

From the moment they took the stage until they walked off the stage two hours later it was non-stop excellence.........and yet we want more.

After playing two songs, I would need to go sit down for a while. Todd plays two songs and only needs to scratch the left side of his head with his right hand......hehehe.....what can I say?

Rachel Haden has come a long way since the beginning of the tour. She has loosened up on stage quite a bit yet she still keeps an intense focus on what she is playing. I have read reviews where people thought she wasn't moving around very much and that she seemed a bit over concentrated. It has been said throughout the years that if you do not remember the bass player in a band, then he did his job well. It would be very difficult to not notice Rachel, for obvious reasons, but nobody could ever say that she didn't have the caliber to perform with Todd.


How does this man scream like he does? Nobody screams as good as Todd does. I enjoy good screams. Now don't get me wrong here.........I ain't saying that all he does is scream..........what I am saying is that when he screams......it's proper.

Did you know that Rachel Haden is a triplet? She is the daughter of jazz musician Charlie Haden.....who also plays bass. Actor Jack Black is her brother-in-law.

What could I say about Kasim Sulton? Everybody has heard him and yet they do not necessarily know it. Aside from his long history performing with Todd and Utopia, Kasim has performed with such artists as Hall & Oates, Joan Jett, and Meat Loaf....to name a few. His voice is angelic and it was Kasim's voice heard singing background vocals on the majority of those Meat Loaf songs. He might just be the hardest working guy in the business. Here he was playing guitar..........is there nothing he cannot do?



There are two things here to take into consideration. TJ was standing right behind me at the concert and I was standing at the front edge of the stage between where Rachel and Kasim were performing. This would explain the numerous pictures of Rachel that TJ shot.........or would it?

If you haven't seen Prairie Prince play the drums.....make a point of it to do so sometime in the near future. He is one of the very best. Okay.......maybe you hadn't heard of him. Prairie was the original drummer for Journey (he left before the records came out) and was a founding member of the Tubes. He has played with Starship and many others over the years and can be heard on countless recordings including XTC........Now you know.

After the show, I asked Todd to come back to Baltimore again. He replied "I love Baltimore". I asked him what he thought of the crowd for this show and he said "They were great!......Was this a good turnout for a Tuesday night?" I told him YES considering it was a work night and the weather forecast had not been good. The venue filled up pretty good considering............but it surely was not a sellout. Now that rock radio is practically gone off the air here, it is hard to know who is coming to town.

I believe this is the bass that Todd bought for Rachel when they got to Austin earlier in the tour. I think that Todd thought Rachel needed a smaller and lighter bass than the Fender.

Jesse Gress was on the left side of the stage. He is one hell of a guitarist. Think of him as a guitar professor............there is not a sound that he cannot make with his guitar.

Todd has a great sense of humor and his between song banters with the crowd are great. Here he is telling us about growing up in a rowhouse, as we have in Baltimore, about 90 miles north.



This was a fun moment on the stage. I don't know the story behind this but I know they did it throughout the tour.

I watched intently as Kasim played his guitar. He never messed up......perfect throughout. I was in heaven........with Todd and Kasim onstage it was half of Utopia and when Kasim started to sing "Trapped", a chill went up my spine....... I had never been so close.

"Earth to TJ.......Earth to TJ...........it's a TODD show"



My music hero......Todd Rundgren.



Did I mention that Kasim can hold his own on guitar?

Three guitars! Wow!



Todd is multi-talented but his voice is often overlooked by many. This man can sing.

Rachel can sing too.
"Earth to TJ.............Earth to TJ..................pay attention"


















The show ended all to quickly some two hours into it. The lead guitar solo magical moment of "Just One Victory" wailed and wailed and wailed. The hairs on my back and neck stood up........the crowd in awe of the great one onstage................

.............."Give us just one victory and everything will be all right!"

Thanks Todd!

Thanks again to TJ for the photos. He saved the day.................psssst....hey Rachel.............You have a huge fan named TJ.........let me know when you are coming back to Baltimore so I can make sure TJ knows..........hehehe.