An Evening With Utopia

"An Evening with Utopia" is listed as being recorded at Los Angeles Country Club - 10101 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
On the eve of Thanksgiving 1982 (11/25/1982) Todd Rundgren and his band, Utopia performed the first live national cablecast of a rock concert (on the USA Network), simulcast in stereo to over 120 radio stations.
This show was released on video in 1983. It features 21 out of 23 songs originally played. At the time they were promoting their latest release "Utopia" on the "Network" label although this was not their first LP so the self-entitlement was obscure (but everything Utopia did had a tongue-in-cheek feel. It also consisted of many earlier work.
SET List:
INFARED AND ULTRAVIOLET.
LIBERTINE.
COULDN'T I JUST TELL YOU.
SET ME FREE.
I'M LOOKING AT YOU BUT I'M TALKING TO MYSELF.
PRINCESS OF THE UNIVERSE.
HAMMER IN MY HEART.
CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL.
YOU MAKE ME CRAZY.
ROCK LOVE.
LOVE ALONE
FEET DON'T FAIL ME NOW.
SAY YEAH.
ONLY HUMAN.
THE VERY LAST TIME.
THE ROAD TO UTOPIA.
CARAVAN.
LOVE IN ACTION.
ONE WORLD.
LOVE IS THE ANSWER.
JUST ONE VICTORY.

[@treychambers9350]

Each band member here is a musical freak.There is nothing,even today,that comes close to the genius of Utopia.

[@dexterdog717]

Bowie

[@johnnicholson8345]

They were a rare breed for sure. band members who not only excelled at their instruments but all were Great singers. How many bands can say that?????

[@leonakita]

@@johnnicholson8345 songwriters as well !

[@johnunderwood3132]

I have about 4 or 5 albums. Love em all

[@joefranksmusic]

40 years ago tomorrow. This is arguably one of the best concerts of all time. Period.

[@chasgorman1086]

This is an absolute gem of a show! One thing about Utopia that was so special was that they had four great singers, incredible harmonies!

[@riffcrescendo1740]

Todd, A Wizard. A True Star.

[@lespaulfanofsparta]

It's uncanny how these guys look and sound like if the Beatles went on an island for fifteen years after 1965, came back as a new wave rock band with George Harrison switching to keys and dying his hair blonde. No wonder the hippies hated it. The 16 year old me couldn't get enough of it. Still can't.

[@davidyanovich5382]

I watched it that night and then went out and bought the LP the next day , GREAT MEMORIES 😎😎😎

[@dinoquaglietta6427]

Todd had the right idea for Utopia -- a actual BAND where all members contributed and I must have seen them 15 + times in the 80's. Cheers for all the great music and recent tour.

[@fododude]

I was 16 then. 1982 was glorious but it might as well be another planet with how far away it is.

[@veronaraven3099]

A criminally underrated band...

[@danschreffler1280]

OMG! I had this on VHS and the machine ate the tape. I haven't seen this is DECADES! After watching this again I think Utopia in the early 1980s may have been the best Rock band EVER. Why does this music scratch an itch in my ear like it does? I guess it's just the talent of this powerhouse of a band.

[@brianrankin4214]

Utopia is such an under-rated band! And Todd, of course, is a living legend!

[@flynow5614]

You missed spelled Todd.spell it starting with G

[@momster64]

My high school boyfriend was a huge Utopia fan (early 1980’s) and had a VHS tape of this show - we watched it a lot! Still have my double LP 😋

[@thetruthissweet2847]

I remember watching this live on USA network when I was in college. We stayed at college in our apartment for Thanksgiving.

[@vincentscarpitti734]

This was a very cool era for Utopia. This was one of the greatest bands ever. SHAME on the R&R HoF for ignoring Todd.

[@kevbob]

Well they didn't this year, but as we know, he doesn't care anyway. :) I loved this version of the band. (Truly all of them, but this version was when I started buying my own records.)

[@johnberman7347]

@@kevbob Finally Todd is in R&R HOF, Patti Smith had a wonderful induction speech but not sure TR cares anyway...

[@judsonleach5248]

Have You Heard?!? They FINALLY let him in!!! (In '21, I think!!! - It's ABOUT TIME !!! LOL) _Cheers!!!

[@judsonleach5248]

@@johnberman7347 I Know right?!? At LEAST they didn't wait until after he died. lol! That would have been EVIL !!! - Cheers!

[@stevejackson830]

The hall of Fame needs to be renamed Music Hall of Fame. There are artist in there that are Not rock.

[@lexkooby]

Probably the greatest power pop band to ever exist. This particular show needs to be preserved in the Smithsonian!!!

[@boomusic8229]

One of THE MOST UNDERRATED BANDS EVER!!!! Seriously!!

[@danl4222]

I never underrated them. I saw Todd solo at a small venue very unique show in Indianapolis. It was called the Sony Video interactive rock show or something like that. He played in the center of a Human size menagerie and had 6 dancers and a circular dance floor around the menagerie. It was .. exceedingly fun and unique.

[@imautopian]

Todd is the ultimate American treasure..not sayin just sayin.clue to world.

[@michaelbrown7118]

A WIZARD A TRUE STAR!!

[@bunskilabonskiwashtubfun9841]

Love is the answer brought me to tears. Exceptional concert, hit a nerve I didn't know I had. Thank you Todd and Utopia, we need you more than ever, in 2022.

[@davidyanovich5382]

I WATCHED THIS CONCERT ON USA AND THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING WENT OUT AND BOUGHT THE ALBUM , AWESOME THEN AND STILL AWWWWESOME ! ! !

[@troyreynolds6019]

I too remember watching this on the USA network

[@greggorup1006]

Me too lol

[@ChefClary60]

At their best. What an amazing, tight band. Exceptional instrumentation, great song writing, superb vocals and high energy stage performance. Adventures in Utopia one of their best. Love it.

[@toddrunt]

the voclas are amazing.. can not see anyone better,,, even queen.

[@roubiac9969]

What a band! All members are multi-instrumentalists with those beautiful harmonies. Such talent in Todd, Willie, Kasim, and Roger!

[@talileali]

This IS the band Todd always wanted! DAMN! Talk about OPENIN A CAN O WHOOP ASS! Fricken VOCAL harmonies and LEADS from and for the heavens! And Sultan and Wilcox are a vocal killin surprise at it's best here! I feel so blessed to be hearing and seeing THIS band do what they do best......Make fricken GREAT ASS music! I saw them at Royal Oak and that was off the hook! But this is the best of the best, no doubt! Many thanks to all of the responsible parties for the creation and sharing of this blissful performance with all of us! And I've never seen Todd happier as a performer! True Dat!

[@naughtmoses]

Vis the BTAW, I'm sure this is the =touring= BTAW at the time. But see kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYSQZ2eZmsSVp6c =and= kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4aXf2x9iNl-ldU

[@BlackMan614]

It was actually Roger Powell who made the harmonies work - he sang the falsetto parts.

[@kevmac1230]

I saw Todd and the boys a month ago in Boston.73 years of age and still sending it full on.

[@Pian_Malaya]

He's 77 now, and we've just been chatting recently. He should be in the R&R Hall of Fame. This man is a music wizard...

[@GeraldinePeckham]

If I had a Time Machine I’d go to this concert. I’d have a front center seat. ❤️👏👏👏👏👏🥰

[@Pian_Malaya]

Todd should be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame...

[@BBoydgirl1]

I was there! I had won tix from KLOS! One of the best nights of my life!

[@LastTree]

Love Todd's haircut here, and Kasim's tell tale early 80's bass . Great concert memories.

[@donaldpruitt6787]

Funny we met Rodger when he was a rep for Aarap synths *.. in garland Texas at arnold and Morgan music a great store thanks to Larry Morgan .. all the sTarsvwoukd come by on Sat mornings and we met ctons if them Humble pie and so many great timea I bought an aro odyssey because of demos s demo a great guy Happy when he joined with todd he travelled all across The USA promoting the ARP 2600 and the string ensemble great memories 👍👍👍👍👍❤️

[@toddpatton6156]

this is absolutely one of the all time greatest musical performances caught on film.

[@stylex19]

This is by far my absolutest, mostest favoritest version of Just One Victory!

[@mrtrips99]

Watched again for the first time in quite a while. More than Stunning, these guys were such a power house of pop/rock/soul. I'm Only Human. Sheesh. Love this performance.

[@frankadams4586]

I think this is the show I saw when it aired live on USA Network in '82. I had Utopia records but with no KZbin, I had no idea about they sounded like live. I was blown away and still am. They are a criminally overlooked band. 40 years on, this is still intelligently written Rock/Pop that everyone should check out.

[@michaellittlewood3032]

Big Fan of Rodger Powell. I worked in a Bay area brewery for years, and Roger would stop by on occasions. Coolest Dude Ever!

[@jbinini]

The inimitable Todd Rundgren.

[@timothyphelps4394]

Todd and the guys were awesome in this live performance! They are so tight and so versatile!! Why can’t we have bands like that today!!

[@axepackermusic8636]

Excellent Concert!!

[@rickg181]

I don't know. Watching these guys beat their brains out in a stunning display of virtuosic talent playing original material of sublime quality reminded me of something. Sometime during the eighties, when Utopia was releasing magnificent material and getting no airplay and commensurate attention, and the likes of Foreigner were going platinum with every mind numbing release, I gave up on mainstream music radio and started listening to NPR. Many of us here, though, we KNOW! To US!!

[@melodymakermark]

About five years before this, I sat stunned in attendance of the extravaganza that was RA, so this stripped down later version is a bit odd to witness, but they were still an incredible band. Hard to believe this performance is 40 years gone.

[@TA_Freak]

I just absolutely love this band. I can remember as a young 15 year old back in the mid 70s hearing Utopia Live from the Utopia album and OMG! Thanks to that college prog radio station playing that tune - among others, my musical taste was being formed.

[@bemindful3315]

Coolest band of all time. All of them are amazing and Todd is simply the GOAT in my humble opinion.

[@f.r.210]

This was my first tour, in Boulder Co. I have been a huge Rundgren fan ever since. Road trips!

[@fourtheye111]

How fucking cool to find this...brilliant!

[@dnashpdx]

Seeing them tomorrow here in Portland OR - been on the Road to Utopia since my 1st show in '76 at the Wolman Rink in Central Park. $4 tickets. Still amazing how Todd and the boys would crank out 2 hours of music with back to back songs, barely pausing to breathe.

[@stevekubasko1463]

A musical Genius period,Hall of fame is a friggin joke until he gets in

[@cyninshadows7041]

45:05 rundgren cant even claim that he is...only human...when we here all know Todd is Godd.

[@leftybass5860]

I remember seeing this on the USA network that night. I had never heard any of this music before. Completely blew me away, and turned me into a Todd fan for life. And Kasim's a hero, too.

[@llkoon]

I'll always cherish shaking Todd's hand and being brought up on stage to "bang on the drums all day" thank you

[@timpascale4151]

Love this, These guys rawk, but so sweet, sour, bitter ,and rich. They hit all the flavors here.

[@philc9940]

Yes!! Great time capsule. Lyrics especially poignant these days. Extra points for Kas on the Steinberger. Watching this has, if only temporarily, raised my spirits. Makes me wistful for times we'll never get back.

[@jameshardin1786]

Stumbled across this gem, amazing!

[@cheezhead6007]

Thank God I was fortunate to see Utopia live the perfect mix of prog pop Hard Rock and R&B with some funk it doesn't really get any better does it?

[@rmooreg]

Absolutely awesome live set! Each song better than the previous one. Such an incredibly high level of energy and each band member giving it their all. Spectacular!

[@imautopian]

This is so freakin beautiful...and btw, I have never ever ever seen a man look better in a suit. wow

[@marylougoitz5241]

Right???

[@judsonleach5248]

I LONG AGO... Lost Track of just HOW Many Times I've been Lucky Enough to see Todd and Utopia LIVE !!!! BUT !! The First Time WAS The BEST !!! THIS Tour! Ohio State Fair! '82!!! Cheers! Judson & Buddy! God Bless You ALL !!! :-)

[@kentborges5114]

THESE GENTS STILL GOT IT GOIN ON...Astounding!

[@jeffspencer646]

Ditching the glam prog and going power pop was a great move for these guys!

[@LastTree]

Love Roger's keyboard and Todd's guitar in Caravan!!

[@Janster59]

In 1983 I listened to this constantly

[@Aidenbro-s2k]

I love this band! And the live performance checks all the boxes.

[@markwilliams8532]

I would liked to have been there. They were great. Everyone in the group shined .this was over 30 yrs ago.. Todd is a great performer. He puts his all into his music. I got to see him with the "Hello People" in the late 1970s at the Roxy in Hlywd. He should be in the ROCKIN ROLL HALL OF FAME and noted as a great guitarist.

[@dclarryk]

This is maybe Utopia at its best. And I have seen them half a dozen times in the 80"s.

[@chuckmoellendick6099]

😍😍😍I have always loved Utopia but had no idea how talented and diverse this group really was until I watched this concert video last night !!! If they were not so collectively talented and in demand for producing and session work for other artists, they might have been a bigger selling super group ! All four men should be inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame with Utopia !!! Todd Rundgren John “Willie” Wilcox Kasim Sultan Roger Powell

[@Ronald-n9n]

Utopia_one of the greatest rock bands of all-time! Both they and Todd should be in the rock n roll hall of Fame as the living legends they are! Ron marcella

[@kevin104z]

An all time favorite!!! This is brilliant!Thank you.!

[@patticlark3576]

In this crazy world we live in now you can turn this on and travel back in time😊

[@florentan]

This is quite possibly the most perfect set from this quartet. But I'm willing to audition others! :))

[@scodude12]

It’s nice but I’ve seen utopia both before and after with better shows. But - that’s like going to the moon over and over again. Utopia rulz. Ps - best utopia show was at Atlantic City on the pier and u can see a clip from that show if you go to the video Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect with the Real Man clip. U should have see that show - omg

[@DizziNY1]

Love Utopia. I really miss this band. Kasim is Utopia's McCartney. He has the Beatle haircut and plays bass

[@csinsko]

I grew up with Todd in the mid to late seventies and I love this concert. I hope to see them in 2018.

[@roberthenshaw-suder8318]

Our first date! We're celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary this weekend. 03/05/82 ✌🏽💙 tr

[@diannedavis5443]

I remember anticipating the showing of this concert on cable tv on the night before Thanksgiving. We had a viewing party. This is a great show.

[@GeraldinePeckham]

Makes me so happy❤👏💫

[@Megley100]

The smartest pop songs of my lifetime.

[@theresavaladez8534]

DAMN Todd is BEAUTIFUL! !

[@iluvpepi]

I think they’re all beautiful. ☺️

[@johnunderwood3132]

I am proud to say that I am also from the Philly area as well as Rundgren

[@j.nobledagget2897]

THIS IS SO AWESOME.

[@charlesgorman9830]

These harmonies just don't happen anymore. A band with 4 very capable singers, unheard of today!

[@lespaulfanofsparta]

There are young baby bands trying this type of stuff out again. 70s grooves, falsetto, harmonies, with a modern feel. Maybe it will come back... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGivZIqDhJmYj80

[@marvindelacroixplvs]

FLYTE

[@MichaelEhrhart]

SIMPLY OUTSTANDING. Todd is a genius and his band is top notch...simply an excellent performance!

[@moonbeanification]

Saw Utopia live a couple years after this taping... a tiny club in New Haven, CT called The Twilight Zone... June 1984.... general admission ticket $12, and we were right in front of the stage. WOW what a show, the energy was incredible !!! Got a guitar pic and autograph from Kasim (total sweetheart). Best concert EVER ! I walked on clouds for weeks afterwards...that memory makes me smile to this day...♥♥♥

[@markwilson3941]

This is a seriously good concert!!! Really Good. Wow

[@anythinginvegas]

That tour was awesome. I saw them, at the Agora, in Columbus, Ohio, met an eventual girlfriend, waiting on line, waiting to get in. Just a great show! If you're out there, Anne, glad I met you. Good times......

[@christopherrussell2611]

Always beautiful harmonies ARE Todd & Utopia. My friend clicked me into Todd in 1975, I bought Initiation when I got married & moved into my 1st flat, couldn’t get enough of that beautiful key you sang in. No. You didn’t look like a horse! Grew up with you & all the tribulations borne out of the ‘80s -SO Glad you made it thru’, as did I. I’m now the only survivor, but I still love your music.Todd, followed you thru’ the years. Keep safe & true my Star trooper. Love & Peace, Jane Russell

[@chris3c]

What a great live band....with a great catalog of songs

[@bonneman66]

KILLER PERFORMANCE!

[@Chris-jn2lv]

Live and fantastic!

[@allisonmalecki8608]

Just found this. This has become my new favorite, go-to-during-work music. Thank you!!!

[@iluvpepi]

What a perfect concert!

[@minsterhill]

Just amazing!

[@eileenmcclatchy3279]

Ahh...the Swing to the Right era. As far as I am concerned, this is Utopia at their best. Saw them many times in the 80's, one of my favorite bands. They have reformed and are back on the road, and look and sound great. Always such a uplifting experience!

[@tyronewilliams8344]

Utopia is a band that lives up to its name! They are AMAZING!

[@k9infocus]

OMG! I remember watching this on TV ages ago. I forgot how amazing they were! Now I'm obsessed and will be watching this over and over and over. Thank you!

[@paulmor2023]

Wow, I love the energy. The later concerts and the current reunion the band just stands like statues the whole time while they play. Back than they were moving, bobbing, running around, jumping, swaying, and had great energy on a lot of the uptempo songs!

[@iluvpepi]

Sadly people age and slow down.

[@nicholasguinan6452]

Todd was 70 years old when they did the reunion concert in 2018. If he tried to run around like he did in the early 80’s he just might suffer any number of injuries. I’m 65 years old and lived, ate, slept and breathed Todd & Utopia when this show was recorded, but have since had health issues, and am now very nearly an invalid, spending most of my life in bed. I would love to get up, walk outside and get in my car or on a bicycle, and just do normal everyday stuff, ya’ know? Life deals us a hand, and we play the cards we’re dealt, wouldn’t you agree? I hope the best for you, fellow Todd fan. Love ❤️ always!

[@iluvpepi]

@@nicholasguinan6452 : I hear ya. We do what we can and live as good a life as possible. Have a great one.

[@nicholasguinan6452]

@@iluvpepi Always nice to hear from a kindred spirit, let me tell you. You take good care, Anna Maria.

[@AquaMenTonyM]

Thank you for this LA show! One of the best musicians ever! Utopia number 1.....

[@s2tracker1820]

This was actually on Thanksgiving night in 1982. The venue was The Country Club on 18419 Sherman Way in Reseda, CA.

[@stephenross8009]

Yes I love it Todd "One World"

[@debragold9439]

This is STUNNING !

[@MysteryVinyl]

Best Utopia concert video I've seen. Best playing too. Superb.

[@leonakita]

Stunningly sloppy and hurried

[@leonakita]

Lefty: No guitar as well....just bass, keyboards and drums?...Wait...there is guitar @ 32:52 but Todd isn't playing! hmmm...is this mimed??? Damn...it appears to be a mimed performance!

[@leftybass5860]

What are you talking about ?

[@leonakita]

Lefty: Its pretty obvious...what are you talking about!???

[@Jayreganmusic]

What an awesome display of musical and vocal talent. Got much inspiration for my music from listening to Todd and the boys in the 80s. The band I wish I had. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonevans3043]

Thank you for putting this on here! Correct on the venue, Rismillers on this tiny stage that was about 100 degrees. You had to win tickets on KLOS radio and I was fortunate enough to do so. My first Thanksgiving away from home with my favorite band. I saw the less stressful performance (for the band) at the Universal Amphitheater a week or so previous, which was actually much better, stage, show, lights and sound, my first ever Todd show. My brother owned a video editing suite in Hollywood and recorded the audiofor me from KLOS which was being simulcast. I still own this recording today on cassette. There were some tunes that did not make it to the VHS recording, including Burn 3 Times. There are some great views of the back of my head and my pumped fist! Will never forget that night. My favorite cut might be Only Human as Todd pours out his guts and shows us why we are Todd fans. Merry Christmas!

[@MysteryVinyl]

Wow ! They are really on fire in this one. So glad I found this great video - thanks.