INITIATION

TODD RUNDGREN / INITIATION - An eclectically accomplished musician and studio virtuoso, Todd Rundgrens musical career ranges from pop to the more complex progressive rock of Utopia, which gained Rundgren a devoted cult following. Through it all, this multi-instrumentalist has maintained a prolific sideline career as a producer; he must also be regarded as a pioneer of rock video, interactive CD, and Web-based music. As a producer, Rundgren has brought his creativity to bear on albums by Patti Smith, The Psychedelic Furs, MeatLoaf, and many other artists. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front quintessential 60s cult group The Nazz. In 1969 he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, the legendary Runt. But it was 1972s seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Rundgren into the superstar limelight. This was followed by such landmark LPs as The Hermit of Mink Hollow and A Wizard, A True Star.