Todd Rundgren Will Release Live Version Of A Wizard, A True Star

Singer, songwriter and all around rock n’ roll maverick Todd Rundgren is going to film and record a live version of his 1973 prog-rock classic, A Wizard, A True Star, at a September 9 performance at the Palace Theater in Stamford, CT.

The two-disc set is scheduled for an early 2010 release via Hi Fi Recordings.

Rundgren will hit the road for a short U.S. tour in September; this is the first time he’s ever performed A Wizard, A True Star in its entirety throughout the duration of his career — some of the songs having never before been performed live.

Check tour dates below.

The live recordings will include an all-star line-up consisting of former members of Utopia, The Cars, Meat Loaf’s band, and The Tubes: Todd Rundgren (vocals, guitar), Roger Powell (synthesizers), Greg Hawkes (synthesizers and keyboards), Kasim Sulton (bass), Jesse Gress (guitar), Bobby Strickland (saxophone), and Prairie Prince (drums).

Todd and his band will perform other songs from his diverse catalog during the shows, but it’s the full album presentation of A Wizard, A True Star that is definitely the night’s centerpiece.

A Wizard, A True Star wasn’t a big hit for Rundgren with critics, and sales dipped from previous albums, but it has remained a favorite among die-hard fans and is nowadays considered quite influential to many musicians.

Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said:

“It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after ‘Something/Anything?’ much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of ‘Something/Anything?’ something in the same vein. ‘A Wizard, A True Star’ is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.

I highly recommend a listen; it’s prog-rock, jazz-fusion, pop and hard rock all thrown together in the meat grinder, resulting in a complex and very entertaining effort. It might not offer up anything as easily accessible like his pop hits “I Saw the Light” and “Hello It’s Me” (from his classic album Something/Anything?, which preceded A Wizard, A True Star), but AWATS is an epic collection nevertheless.

Rundgren has had quite an eclectic career — he’s released over 30 albums either as a solo artist or with his bands Nazz, Utopia, and The New Cars while producing successful records for artists like Badfinger, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk Railroad, the New York Dolls and XTC.

Tour dates:

• 9/6 Akron, OH – Akron Civic Center
• 9/7 Akron, OH – Akron Civic Center
• 9/9 Stamford, Conn – Palace Theater
• 9/10 North Bethesda, Maryland – Strathmore Hall
• 9/12 Chicago, IL – Park West
• 9/13 Chicago, IL – Park West
• 9/15 Minneapolis, Minn – State Theatre
• 2/6 London – HMV Hammersmith Apollo
• 2/8 Amsterdam – The Paradiso