The Ever Popular Inspired Artist Effect

FOREWORD

Since the late 60's, when I first heard the strains of 'Hello it's Me' by Nazz on WFIL in Philly, I've been a Todd Rundgren fan.

For well over twenty years, I have made my living as a visual artist (mostly via the music industry) and through it all, Todd has remained one of my favorites. Perhaps his 'maverick attitude' his progressive evolution, or even his consistent search for truth has re-enforced these same aspects in my own life... Anyway, it's a bit deeper than just listening to almost any other artist play their songs.

todd rundgren chicago auditorium theater 1974

My first live concert experience was in Chicago in the fall of 1973 during the 'Wizard a True Star' tour.

Since then I've seen him deliver his music via assorted presentations to the masses. at least 40 times. Examples include; Rainbow haired and solo w/ pre-taped back up, w/a 7 piece progressive rock band, w/ an Egyptian motif, w/ an 11 piece 'Orchestra', as a guitar 'god', as a lounge act, as an acoustic artist, and most recently w/ a band of religious figure heads & street hustlers... Hey, he's kept it interesting, managed to stick around and is not working the 'oldies' circuit...

CHAPTER ONE

In October of 1977, I was truly a starving artist, 1,500 miles from home, living alone in a remote cabin in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I painted hard every week, and on weekends I'd go sell my works on the streets of Philadelphia or N.Y.C. so I could afford to do the same the following week. Times were difficult but I knew it was part of paying my dues...

I did this piece under the influence of the new 'RA' LP with Todd in mind. I had already seen this tour twice before and was aware of him coming to town soon! The following is a journal excerpt from this time in my life...

11/09/77 Ramones, Duchamp and Utopia within 24 hours! Life's treating me kindly tonight, today, right now! Tomorrow shouldn't be too bad either. The van we just passed sez "Jesus Never Fails" just like my brother Scott's tombstone.

Later that day, Talked with Todd today at Peaches Records, told him I'd see him later at sound check... Sound check went okay. Showed him my painting, he said he'd buy it! Okay! $25.00 not guaranteed to be used for LP content, but still perhaps. He wanted my name address etc... Got into the show free, me, Pisa, and Joe. Waited for road manager Paul Mosely to give us backstage passes. He never did, and I was hungry too. Just wanted my pass and to go eat...

'Starcastle' played first. Too much E.L.P. / Yes crap for me...The barricades got in the vision so we took them down, the wall in front of the stage fell over later... Todd started off as a 'mock-rocker', throwing picks after every song. They did mostly new Utopia music, w/ white t-shirts on, ala Ooops Wrong Planet. Then more video work during costume and set changes... Todd's doing some nice video work, almost underground, definitely acid oriented or similar.

Utopia part two, RA! RA! RA! Afterwards we went backstage with relatives and friends of the band. Todd offered me $30.00, I gave him change so it was still $25.00... He may pull some strings for me... Help me dear God as thing's have been in my favor, thanks! Between last nights quickie illustration gig, followed by the Ramones show, the Duchamp exhibition today, and Utopia tonight, I've come out $25.00 ahead. I pray to get home soon before winter, Thanksgiving even.

Love is the Answer/ God is Love.

CHAPTER TWO

agora ballroom wall circa 1980

I worked as the artist for the Dallas Agora Ballroom, from 1979 - 1983. Here is a partial view of the wall featuring acts who had sold out the venue. I remember Kasim asking me after a Utopia soundcheck while I was adding names, why their name was biggest. My reply was "because I believe in you guys!"

agoratr.jpg (58557 bytes)

Another way I was able to hype my Todd appreciation, was on the Agora's monthly calendar header. This illustration was later used as cover art for 'Utopia Times' in December of 1992...

Here are two other illustrations used as covers for Merf Sommers fanzine 'Utopia Times'.

In order to give back, I decided to create a limited edition of seven, hand colored prints, autographed by TR himself. He got one, I'm keeping one, and here are the rest. Three of the five were donated to the Todd Rundgren Connection which is as Todd put it "Not only the definitive TR site, this is probably as definitive as anything gets on the Web."
Here are few of them to check out...

Being his career has run so many years it was difficult to find a picture that was somewhat timeless in appearance. I believe this 'Plop Art' technique seems to have done the trick.

As of 7/ 12/ 02 All works are gone! Special thanks to those who supported me in executing this concept! I apologize to those that requested this limited edition after they were gone, perhaps we'll do something again in the future.