Todd Rundgren may be best known for his solo work and time in bands like Utopia and Nazz, but he also has quite a few production credits on other artists’ releases. The following four records are just a few of many, but they’re definitely worth revisiting. Let’s take a look, shall we?
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1. ‘Straight Up’ by Badfinger
If you didn’t know that Todd Rundgren had production credits on Straight Up by Badfinger, you’re not alone. It was kind of a mess to put together, considering the tough spot Apple Records had put the band in.
Their first try at the album with Geoff Emerick was shelved, and their second attempt with George Harrison didn’t get far. The third attempt with Rundgren is a clear result of too many cooks in the kitchen, but all of those cooks are incredible in their own way. “Baby Blue” and “Day After Day” are just a few standout tracks from the record.
2. ‘New York Dolls’ by New York Dolls
Todd Rundgren was notoriously easy to work with, and he didn’t let genre boundaries get in the way of his collaborations. The New York Dolls were unabashed proto-punk and rough around the edges, which made them quite different from Rundgren’s preference for intricate rock-pop magic. Regardless, he worked with them on their self-titled album for songs like “Personality Crisis” and “Frankenstein”.
3. ‘Stage Fright’ by The Band
You won’t find Rundgren’s name anywhere on Stage Fright by The Band, but he did help The Band put together the record following his departure from Nazz.
Rundgren enjoyed the complexity of keyboardist Garth Hudson’s playing style, as well as the vibes Richard Manuel was putting out. He helped them bring the Americana influences to the forefront of the album, and it’s a good thing he got involved. This is a really killer album.
4. ‘Remote Control’ by The Tubes
An oddball among Todd Rundgren’s production credits, it’s a bit surprising that he wanted to get involved with the weird new wave outfit The Tubes. They were on the artistic side of the genre. And they were better known for their chaotic stage performances than their (albeit incredible) futuristic music.
Either way, Rundgren got involved and helped them put together Remote Control. He would later produce the 1985 release Love Bomb as well.
Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
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