History of NAZZ |

[@TheBeezusjones]

Wow.. thank you so , so much for this wonderful , well done doc .. Carson was my dad, and I so wish he was still here to see it ❣ He would thank you sincerely. A lot of this history I was unaware of, though I have always loved listening to his old Nazz records.. it is so bittersweet any time I hear their music

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hello, Leland - how nice for a family member to touch base. Yes, I wish your Dad could have seen this too, but I'm glad you did. He was a great player and he left a legacy behind he can be proud of. Thanks for the warm comment.

[@bobbytropo2314]

@@popgoesthe60s52this entire interaction just warmed my heart on a bad day. Just thought I’d mention it haha

[@MyMuzikVideos578]

You must be very proud. Your Dad was not only a really solid bass player, but a great animator. God Rest his soul. ❤

[@TheBeezusjones]

@@bobbytropo2314 It warmed my heart that it warmed your heart!! 😁 It's SO awesome to think people are still out there appreciating my Dad and his insanely huge talent. He received a Disney Legend award about 6 months before he died and that's the one word I think of that best describes him : Legend. He's one of so few people who actually achieved "success" by doing what he loved, and he did it humbly without stepping on people in the corporate world of Disney. He was an amazing example.

[@TheBeezusjones]

@@MyMuzikVideos578 thank u SO MUCH for your appreciation of him!!

[@potsterino]

Stewkey is my grandpa!! I loved watching this ❤️

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hello! Thank you for watching and I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I still love his vocal on Not Wrong Long - killer.

[@44027]

One of America's BEST bands ever. The drummer could have replaced Keith Moon and Todd is just a genius on another level.

[@johnwells1015]

Began listening to the Nazz in 1968. A very under appreciated band.

[@johnalbert6900]

I found the Nazz through Todd’s later solo release of “Hello, It’s Me”. This is one of my favorite groups and they should have been so much bigger!

[@paulantonio740]

The Bangles did a nice cover of "Open My Eyes", which shows that they have exquisite musical taste.

[@hanskloss1331]

when they first started they were the Bangs and I believe Susana Hoff's is/was married to Matthew Sweet

[@michaeldaniels8462]

As an 80s college student, I became a Todd Rundgren fan, and thus found Nazz when researching his career. I purchased all three of the original LPs at my favorite used record shop for $2 each - and these songs have been part of my life ever since. Considering the re-recorded mop-up nature of the third record, it is shocking how well it stands up next to the others - "Only One Winner", "Take The Hand", and "It's Not That Easy" are all beautiful. "Some People", "Kicks" and "How Can You Call That Beautiful" all rock admirably. As always, awesome job with your deep dive into a band that deserves to be remembered.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Michael - much appreciated!

[@mrswimmyboy]

Well done! This group is unfairly overlooked. It sounds ahead of its time.

[@shadowstealer2790]

"Open My Eyes". Masterpiece! Always loved the phasing FX too.

[@gliextra6097]

"A CASTLE OF GEMS"...Many masterpieces the enlightened minds of NAZZ have written for the joy of their FANS...!!! HYPNOTIC SOUNDS quite ahead for those years...!!! WONDERFUL YEARS the "70s: we were lucky enough to have a "soundtrack" so full of good music that despite the passage of time it WILL NEVER GO OUT OF FASHION 💔❤☮

[@markhaggard7463]

Fantastic job! As a teenager in '69, I stumbled across the first 2 Nazz albums in my local record store and fell in love with them immediately. I still think that they are some of the best rock albums ever. I was a huge Todd R. fan for years and had dinner with him a couple of times. A nice guy , but a little cynical. His first several solo albums were great, as was a lot of the Utopia stuff. All in all, Todd is one of the most talented and innovative musicians of our time.

[@Neal_Schier]

Great episode Matt. I know all the episodes must be time and research intensive, but your efforts are very much appreciated in bringing to light music and musicians who might otherwise be overlooked.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Neal. Yes, these are very time consuming but I enjoy making them and sharing what I've learn with other fans. I hope to leave a library of mini-documentaries like this so these bands won't be forgotten.

[@lamper2]

@@popgoesthe60s52 These should be archived in every hall of fame and music library!

[@busylizzie2009]

I bought the first Nazz album in the UK when it was first released (1968?). I still have it.

[@shakubob]

The Nazz was a great live performance band and absolutely a Philly band. A few blocks from the Factory was a small club called The Trauma where Nazz was essentially house band full a long time.

[@mikecook7334]

When I was a teenager in the 70’s(!), I worked in a boutique record shop in the Philadelphia area. My boss had a copy of NAZZ NAZZ on the wall behind the counter, where we displayed the expensive albums( imports, rarities, etc.). It had some absurd price on it (maybe $100.00) which was justified by it being out-of-print, or something like that… It was NOT a pirate. We were well educated in the tell-tale signs of illegitimacy, and we were able to verify the authenticity of all our pricey collectibles. Someone did eventually buy it at the arbitrary price my boss was asking for it. Then I graduated high school, and my days as a hipster record store dude came to an end…🐼

[@donkeyboy585]

Yeah I remember Nazz albums selling in the $50-60 (in late 70s money)range in northeast Philly so yeah $100 in center city and the burbs was real as a heart attack lol. (Do you remember if it was a red vinyl copy?) Thankfully Rhino put an end to that silliness

[@howardquinn5911]

Great GREAT BAND! Listening to the first two albums every so often reminds me of every girl I fell in love with from 1968-71!! There must have been at least three of those angels in the audience when they played in Baltimore (of course there were many more afterwards). “Beautiful Song” especially, carved on a mythic oak tree with initials I can still imagine. Tx very much …

[@nuwavedave]

"She's Goin' Down" and "Open My Eyes" got a lot of airplay on WFMU in New Jersey.

[@gregoryirwin263]

Might be the only time ive ever seen any KZbin content creator mentioning the soul survivors 👍 As always you got the best 60s music focused content cheers

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That's very flattering, Gregory. Much thanks.

[@spaclynotorious3288]

Thank you for featuring this group especially the original version of "Hello it's Me" which in my opinion far exceeded in sonic depth the version Rundgren released years later as a solo artist. Stewkey's vocal as the reverb enhanced atmosphere and quality high harmonies gave a starkness to the opening line "hello it's me", that banging on a few chords on a piano that just so abjectly fails. If the presenter's fact is authentic, that the engineers back in the day let him fool with the board, its no wonder he had a great future later in his career as a producer. And that is not meant as a slight.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for the insightful comment, Spacly.

[@Wordsmyth8]

Yes! I love both versions of Hello it’s Me, which is one of my favorite songs of all time. Thanks for doing this video, Spacly!

[@keithparker1346]

​@@Wordsmyth8there's a creepy bossa nova version on the album With A Twist

[@ChefClary60]

This is really cool. Became a HUGE TR fan around 1971. Discovered Nazz later. Nazz Nazz is just classic. Hang On Paul, imo, has one of TR’s best solos ever. Thx for this! A LOT I didn’t know.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for watching, James!

[@Rollietom890]

Thanks a million for highlighting the too-short-lived history of Nazz. Many garage bands (like the one I was in) during the late 60s latched onto their music because it was (a) accessible and (b) had to be played LOUD. But the main attraction was that they were an American band that didn't sound like some kind of British invasion rip-off. They were unique and very edgy. I have their first two LPs plus the double CD anthology, "Open Our Eyes" and you are so right about their songs still holding up very well decades later. I did get to see them in concert when they played at a teen club called "The Flare" that was held on weekends in a National Guard Armory in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas but Runt was already gone by then so it was a bit of a let-down. Still, they richly deserve the recognition you so graciously gave them on your show. Still waiting on your take on "The Move" but I figure you'll get around to them sooner or later. Keep up the great work!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the background. I found absolutely no info on any of the replacement players after Todd and Carson left. How would you rate the guitarist you saw?

[@paul2602]

@Flirolas The Flare! I haven't heard that name since... well, back then lol. OC boy here. I didn't catch that show, BUT I saw the original band at the free show they did in Lee Park, I guess at the time of the pop festival. And yeah, they were killer live. Thanks for the memories! ATB!

[@scottiwen4745]

After your Left Banke video, I was unable to stop listening to them on Spotify - until now. Nazz has officially replaced the Left Banke for workout music, etc. Another great example of music that had some influence, but never got the recognition. Really feel for guys like Stewkey who were so close to making it big - only to be left behind in the Rundgren wake (but cannot fault Todd for that) and then quitting Fuse before Cheap Trick took off.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, the music world is not for the faint of heart. Hard to keep Rundgren down! Glad to hear you are diving into the Banke and now Nazz!

[@luiscardenas930]

I've read that Stewkey retired from music to support his pregnant wife. One of his jobs was as a limousine driver, so since he worked weekends and weekday nights he didn't have time to perform live

[@nope5445]

First of all to settle an argument...on "loosen up" Todd sez. "Hi everybody, we're THE Nazz from Philadelphia." In 1984 I got to stop by Todd's home In Upper Darby and hung out with Todd's Mom & Dad. Ruth showed me Todd's old bedroom where he wrote much of "Hello, Its Me."

[@mitchmover3284]

This was so well done! I wish more band histories were done in this fashion where everything is on topic...no side-stepping or other unnecessary filler. Thumbs up!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I have many more coming... working on 2 right now!

[@truethought62]

“The Nazz” was a famous Lord Buckley comic routine from the 50’s about the hipster that was Jesus of Nazareth. The Yardbirds named their song as a light-hearted tribute… even though it was a great electric blues-rock workout!

[@truethought62]

Matt-keep up the great insights into these 60’s tune masters! You certainly have to fit a fairly hefty amount of info in a limited amount of time!🙂✌️🎶👍

[@seed_drill7135]

Exactly. And thus the line from Ziggy Stardust, "He was the Nazz with God-given ass".

[@Mst3kRowsdower]

Under The Ice is a five and a half minute drum solo. Amazing. Always loved The Nazz. Great video!

[@fretts]

With 450 comments so far, I'm sure somebody already brought this up, but "The Nazz" was a rap from Lord Buckley and it was his jive-talk recounting of the story of Jesus of "Nazz"areth, i.e. The Nazz. I can never know if the Yardbirds or Beck himself pulled that word from Buckley, but his records were very popular in bohemian hip circles, which I expect the Yardbirds did mingle with. So I'm going to say, yeah, that's where it comes from.

[@scottmckenna9164]

Matt, You and Rick Beato are a one two punch against ignorance of rock and roll nuts and bolts and R&R history.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Scott. It's very flattering to be lumped in with Beato!

[@byzcath]

Thanks so much for this episode! I was given the first album by a high school friend who was getting into Funk while I was getting into harder rock, and I was knocked over when I heard that album. I still prefer the Nazz’s version of “Hello It’s Me” to Rundgren’s later solo version. I never knew their history, though, so this was great.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for watching and for the warm comment, RJ!

[@rmelin13231]

Interesting. My memory tells me that Todd's next band was Runt (1970), and that's how I remember "We Gotta Get You a Woman", but my memory is getting old. Anyway, I always liked Nazz, and of course Todd's musical history is legendary. Thanks for this interesting background! Always enjoy.

[@robgronotte1]

The first release was "Runt", and it was supposed to be the band name, but the front cover photo was just a large photo of Todd, so it was already clear that it was totally his project. The second album was also credited to Runt, but as the album title was "The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren", it was made even more clear. After that the Runt name was dropped, and reissues of those albums were presented as solo works, with his name added to the cover of the first album.

[@Jim-yc7zb]

Todd played most of the instruments on the runt albums, before putting out a bunch of solo albums, where he played everything.

[@anothercomment3451]

As with other entertainers, I appreciated them until they took politics to the microphones. After that, Todd was seen online, playing guitar on the streets, with a stop sign backdrop.

[@justincramer9681]

I learned about Todd early on in life. My Dad was a Utopia fan and I was introduced to the album he released called "Faithful". One side was covers of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix. The Beach Boys, and The Yardbirds. I had to dig deeper and ultimately found the Nazz. Why we don't talk about Todd more is beyond me.

[@josephboychak358]

I have been a fan of Nazz since 1971 and learned some things I did not know about the band. One of my classmates when I was in trade school was from Upper Darby, PA. He was friends with Todd Rundgren and was surprised I knew about Nazz.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the comment, Joseph!

[@josephboychak358]

Thank you for the history lesson about Nazz. I have always known them as Nazz but I see them called The Nazz. This is similar to The Eagles who always stated that their name was just Eagles. Just a thought.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@josephboychak358 Yeah, Rundgren calls them "the Nazz" in interviews and introduces them as "the Nazz" in the intro to Loosen Up. Plus their name is base on "The Nazz are Blue" AND most importantly, it's easier to say "the Nazz" in a sentence than just "Nazz." I used both in the video.

[@josephboychak358]

I was pleasantly surprised when you mentioned The Guess Who in your video. I have been a fan of theirs since 1969. I was fortunate enough to see them after the Share The Land album came out and right before the Artificial Paradise album was released. As an aside, the original packaging of Artificial Paradise is brilliant, imho. Guess Who related, Randy Bachman and his son Tal did live KZbin broadcasts every Friday night starting in late 2020 and for most of 2021. They called this the Friday Night Train Wreck and broadcast as Bachman & Bachman. They did their take on other artist songs and played Guess Who and BTO songs. They did some of the early Guess Who songs from 1967 and later. They would take song suggestions from people who watched their broadcasts. I commented that perhaps they could do a Badfinger. Tal read my comment and the next week they did songs with the theme being the word bad. I believe these are episodes 51 and 52 or 52 and 53. Being a fan it was a thrill to have them mention my name on two of their broadcasts. I have recently received a few items that Burton Cummings personally autographed which adds to my Guess Who thrills. Once again, thanks for the Nazz history lesson and I apologize for my rambling.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@josephboychak358 Hey Joseph! I am a Guess Who fan so I'll have to check out that youtube broadcast. Thanks!

[@toddgarland6194]

I don't know Matt's biography, but he should be a college professor or lecturer of musicology. Thank you Mr. Matt . . . .

[@johnnykawakid]

Excellent video matt. Great history of a very overlooked band. 🎸 👌

[@henryptak1726]

Delighted for the feature on these guys - excellent band. To refer to them as "power pop" is to sell them short - great singing, playing, and writing. Thanks so much!

[@Nazz1967]

So glad you did this video ,obviously im a big fan .

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I'm glad you enjoyed it - more to come!

[@davidoswell3079]

I try, but I am not always able to get through too many episodes, of the 'Vinyl Community' which is just members showing off records. I find your shows are well researched and very interesting. I always come away learning some new info. Thank you

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you David, that is a high compliment.

[@leamanc]

Another great look into a great ‘60s act.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks Leaman!

[@donkeyboy585]

So cool to see a vid about The Nazz. Even better from a guy who sounds like a real fan like me.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

This was a fun one and I always thought their story was interesting. Had they come on the scene a year earlier, their records may have made a bigger impact.

[@Retroscoop]

Well done all the way, excellent narrating style, I could listen for hours to this man telling such real life stories of musical bands.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for the kind words, Benoit.

[@mab31347]

I grew up in Philly. Around 67 or 68, a music hall called The Trauma had some big name groups. The Nazz opened for a couple of shows I saw there and they were fantastic. They had quite a local following.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for that information, Marc. There is so little information on their live playing in those formative years - much appreciated!

[@erniericardo8140]

Greetings Matt ✌ Just today on The Underground Garage on SXM I was listening at work The Nazz-Open My Eyes which is one my ALL time favorite songs (Love that riff!!!) along with the Nazz version of Hello its Me, and as soon as I got home from work I see you released a video on The Nazz- How Cool!!! 👍- Back in 98 I saw Todd Rundgren with Ringo Starr's All Star Band at the Berkeley Community Theatre and one thing that is etched in my memory is his guitar playing with Jack Bruce doing Cream songs-That was Killer!!! On that Beatle Note, in 1973 there was this hilarious Feud between Todd and John Lennon in Melody Maker magazine, Where Todd criticized John for his Revolutionary antics and public demeanor which in response Todd got a taste of John's Nasty quick wit and really laid into Todd by calling him-Sodd Runtlestuntle and Turd Runtgreen, Lennon ended the lashing with- However much you hurt me darling, I'll always Love You.(Classic Lennon LOL)

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Ernie - Yes I have read the exchange between him and Lennon. Lennon eventually called him for a truce because he realized the media was fueling it. I saw him in the All Star Band too!

[@funkadelphiarecords]

Correction at 27:54: The "13th & Pine" CD, "Nazz From Philadelphia" LP and "Sydney's Lunchbox" 45, all on the Distortions label, were NOT bootleg's, but legitimate items licensed from Stewkey's master tapes. These limited edition recordings were released in 1997-1998 to help Stewkey with his medical expenses while he was awaiting a liver transplant. Stewkey is alive and well in still living in the Philadelphia area.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the correction.

[@kenreeve32]

I agree with your comparison of the rhythm section of the Nazz with that of the Small Faces. Both powerful driving bands when they did the harder stuff.

[@ricknbacker5626]

Got my Nazz crash coarse in 1979. A bandmate was a huge Nazz fan so I remember all these songs. Great memories :-) Like The Creation and Big Star, The Nazz seem to have needed that one breakout hit to reach fame (if not fortune). These 3 bands are by no means footnotes. They've left us all some incredible music. Is it me , or does the piano on You Are My Window have that Wilson/Parks/Smile kindavibe? This was a fantastic trip down Memory Lane Matt. Another masterful offering. Thank you sir. Cheers, RNB

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Rick!

[@bruceink9]

Thanks again, Matt. You showed some Nazz bootlegs, and I happen to have another one, called "From Philadelphia."

[@williambill5172]

As always...pure gold. I loved the Nazz and Todd was smart to release Hello Its Me on his own - always a great song. He turned into a great producer as the years went on. Watching this right now I just realized how much his Only One Winner sounds like an early version of his We Gotta Get You a Woman...love it man, as always!

[@henrydennis5851]

I was in a band at the time called the Ultra-Modern Trio and absolutely loved the first two LPs. Certainly, not every cut, but the songs I liked really resonated with me on an emotional level. I live in Europe now, but someplace in my storage unit in Virginia, I still have the original 2 LPs. Thank you for this thoughtful walk down memory lane. PS. Since I was never able to see them live, we figured out how to connect our record player to a Marshall 100 and a couple of Sunn 200'2 amps and turned them to 11, i.e., NAZZ LIVE. Sincerely appreciated!

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

My band played _Forget All About It A While_ and _Letters Don’t Count_ from the Nazz Nazz album. I loved the whole album. In my view it was Todd Rundgren’s most approachable work, and certainly the best material for a rock band, with a focus on guitar and great vocals. Superb job as usual, Matt! 😎

[@lbishov]

Nazz was WAY ahead of their time!!

[@nathananthony7517]

I've never heard of this band, or any of their songs. I'm about to learn a lot over the next 29 minutes. Thanks for this!

[@jayhawkjd8565]

Ditto

[@nuwavedave]

North Jersey's underground FM station, WMFU played "Open My Eyes" and "She's Going Down" a lot. They also had Earth Opera's "American Eagle Tragedy" in heavy rotation. I saw them at Drew Univesity when they opened for Jefferson Airplane.

[@JohnHancotte]

You have a great honest style. It was very endearing on the touchy subject of Sometime In New York City. Nice insight into why Todd’s vocals may have been removed from some of these songs. Still, they kept You Are My Window intact. My favorite Nazz tune is Forget All About It.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey John - thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@strose2002]

Hello It's Me is one of my all time favorite songs. Nice to find out where it started. Don't remember the group Nazz, but some of the songs you played sound very good. Love your passion for the music Matt. Love your videos. You are the best! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate the kind words st.rose!

[@siskokidd]

Thanks for doing this History of the Nazz! By 1973, age 15, my introduction to Todd Rundgren, and "serious" music listening, was through the boyfriend of the older sister of a school-mate. My friend and I skipped out of afternoon classes one day to listen to the new second Steely Dan album on his father's killer stereo system. His sister had the same idea, along with her BF, Ronnie (who became one of NE Ohio's biggest rock musicologists, and legendary record store owner). He insisted we listen to Todd's third solo album, Something/Anything, which we did. That experience was eye and ear opening, not only because of the music, but because of how Ronnie introduced Todd as a kick ass guitarist, all around musician, songwriter, singer, engineer, producer, the whole enchilada! I was genuinely impressed with that first listen. Ronnie encouraged me to continue delving into everything else he had released to that point, his two previous solo albums, and the three Nazz albums. That was easier said than done because other than the first Runt album, the others were out of print, copies were becoming rare, and could cost a pretty penny! For years I looked for available copies, without luck. Then one day in late 1977, I stopped in a grimy electronics store to shop for something other than music. To my surprise, the store had 8-track tapes for sale, and among the titles were original label (not bootleg or dups) sealed copies of The Ballad Of TR, and Nazz Nazz! The store owner wanted $40 per tape, which was a lot for me at the time, but I happily handed over that amount. At first listen, they were everything I was hoping they would be, and more! Consider that by that point in time, I had become a working musician (bass, guitar), and my listening experience had broadened out considerably from rock, to prog, jazz and classical. So many classic bands and recordings had been released by that point. Musically, Todd had matured well beyond the songs recorded on those early albums. Still, for me, the music on those tapes filled so many gaps. Loved then, and loved now!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Wow the Nazz on 8-track! Thanks for sharing your Nazz journey!

[@timmy707707]

I backtracked from Todd to the Nazz. I've read a lot but but Matt's conversation really brings things into line.

[@simplechronology2605]

Never heard any of their stuff beyond "Open My Eyes" This episode was a real eye opener, so to speak...

[@familydogg1234]

There was so much to retain not only on The Nazz - but Todd Rundgren. Very talented musician. He played piano on " Trouble Trouble" on Foghat debut Lp ( which my aunt bought me by accident - I wanted " Energized" Lp) great album anyway. Thanxamillion!!

[@Mas4449]

I'm a kid in my late teens and have been obsessed with the 1960s since I was little. Not just the music but the whole package. I was in the record store last month and stumbled across the Nazz debut in the used section. I had no idea what it was but the cover was the most 60s looking thing I'd ever seen so I just had to buy it, having no idea if I had just bought garbage or not. Just as I thought the album was absolutely awesome. What a great sound. I guess that's what it felt like buying records before the internet? I just finished your Jefferson Airplane series as well and was thrilled, really awesome videos. And if I may post a suggestion, I'd love to see you cover Sam the Sham and the Pharoah's or Canned Heat!

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

a great band thanks fan since '68

[@johnjill3900]

Love the research you put in to these videos. Thanks so much, very entertaining!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure. Thank you for letting me know.

[@TheViewFrom2A]

Thanks for delivering a great, insightful look at The Nazz. One of my all time favs !

[@Music_is_Breathing]

The original Nazz Nazz album was pressed in translucent RED vinyl. After a couple of decades Rhino Records re-released it, also in translucent RED vinyl. After having it a while, and no turntable, I sold it on eBay for a nice sum :) Now I have it on CD. I love this album, always have, always will :)

[@Thadmotor1044]

We loved the 1st Nazz LP !

[@Thadmotor1044]

promoted as the US Beatles . Nazz was good but that was unfair

[@artysanmobile]

I remember the surprise of Todd Rundgren’s writing in the 1960s. It was fascinating to hear his ideas at the time, genuinely new and finely wrought. I just recently, 2023, saw him sharing a bill with Daryl Hall. My copy of album #2 is translucent red as shown here. I thought that might be rare but I guess not.

[@bobsoldrecords1503]

Should have been huge, even with the oversaturation of great music at the time. They truly stood out as top tier

[@OnceWasRStrathfield]

I'd like to see a video on The Easybeats. History (at least from an international perspective) seems to be pushing them as a footnote to AC/DC. Easybeats' keymembers Harry Vanda and George Young (Angus and Malcolm's big brother) produced early AC/DC records, and a lot of Australian hits. They also wrote ''Walking In The Rain'' (Grace Jones), ''Love Is In The Air'' (John Paul Young), and recorded under the name Flash And The Pan. A lot of meat on the Easybeats bone.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I've had several requests for them so I may move them up on my list. Some really great songs that are not very well known in America.

[@realdinho]

@@popgoesthe60s52 that'll be great. They had tons of great stuff before Friday on my mind when still in Australia

[@allenshively6374]

I had the 45 of Friday On My Mind as a teenager in the 60s, flip side was Made My Bed Now I Got To Lie In It.

[@davidpollard6322]

Great piece as always Matt....keeping the history alive. Thanks for all you do....This band should have been bigger. Funny how fate seems to determine outcomes...

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks, David. Plenty more coming, so stay tuned!

[@sirPUNKsir]

There's another comp with demo's and alternatives you didnt mention here that I picked up some time in the 90's called "Nazz from Philadelphia" Just thought I'd mention it. Again, another top rundown on what I always thought was an underrated band from that era. Thanks for your insightful channel! keep up the good work! xx

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, sir Punk. I don't think I've seen that comp.

[@jaypolack3329]

I had the first two albums back in the day. Nazz and Nazz Nazz and I had the red pressing of Nazz Nazz. I sold it for 50 cents. Smart boy I was back then.

[@ELOGuy1983]

Todd Rungren also produced Cheap Trick's 1983 Album called Next Position Please. Rick Nielsen has often said how great and easy was to work with Todd.

[@TranquilQuartet]

I remember finding their first album on an 8-track tape inside of a wrecked car in a junkyard when I was about 7 years old, which was my first introduction to The Nazz. It's a shame my grandparents never heard of them in the 60s.

[@christopherdavison652]

As always, another in-depth perspective on pop music history. I always come away well educated. Thanks sir.

[@henryrogers5500]

Another great informative and entertaining video, Matt! I didn't know about the Nazz as a kid in the 1960s, but I heard Todd's solo material on the radio all the time in the early '70s and I didn't like it at all. In the late '80s or so I bought the first three albums of the Nazz on CD and man alive, what a powerhouse rock band these guys were putting out magnificent material!

[@jerrypotente872]

Great show about ‘the NAZZ. Matt, I learned a lot…..and I hope you do a series of podcasts on Todd’s prolific later career!!!!!

[@eltronics]

Loved it. Have always appreciated Todd's songwriting and producing. Knew of the Nazz because of "Open My Eyes." May have to delve further into the catalog. Thanks Matt.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

They have some very worthwhile songs - rockers, pop, ballads.

[@LagartoEl]

Nice job! I used to see Woody's Truck regularly and was on hand when Nazz warmed up for the Doors - they were all good but that drumming on the 2nd album is off the hook.

[@kingfish440]

Thanks for another amazing episode Matt! Pretty sure that Todd is a space alien! His record (no pun intended) as a writer, producer, arranger and player is second to none! All the best to you my friend!

[@ProgRockDan1]

Thanks for sharing the Nazz. I haven’t heard them in years

[@Mr3DBob]

I had and repeatedly played the second album. A Beautiful Song is a masterpiece of interweaving orchestral and hard guitar-based rock. Had to Cry Today makes me do just that. I've tried to learn it, but the chords are too sophisticated for my clumsy fingers, so I do it accapella. Under the Ice, Not Wrong Long and Rain Rider are terrific hard rockers with meaning.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

Excellent episode. I had NO idea that first album was so good.

[@TheSilverBeagle]

I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of this band. Thank you for educating me. On a related note...the song "Hello It's Me": I've never been a huge Todd Rundgren fan, but for some reason this song just reaches into my body and pulls this sad chord. The song doesn't remind me of a lost love and I have no emotional connection that relates to a past event in my life...but I always feel melancholy when I hear it come on...which is fine, its shows the power of the song and music in general.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, Rundgren is good that way... he seems to write from deep down sometimes. Glad you liked discovering these guys!

[@ooulalah4333]

If you're not a big Rundgren fan why would you be ashamed to have not heard of nazz?

[@paul2602]

A much appreciated history of one of my favorite bands ever. Very well done, sir. Thanks.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciated the warm comment, Paul.

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

Superb Matt! LOVE the Nazz, I also first bought the Best Of back in the mid-80s, but at that time the studio LPs had yet to be reissued, so I went the collector route & amassed a Nazz collection of originals...and this is back when record collecting meant Goldmine magazine as the closest thing to eBay, Nazz records were Yike$$$$ !! But I managed to find all of the SGC originals including some promos of the singles. [Interesting observation, for a record that charted so low, Open My Eyes/Hello It's Me had at least 4 different label variations so it was either in print longer than expected, or manufacture was farmed out to many plants] Also, Nazz Nazz was also issued on black vinyl in a 2nd pressing, which is much rarer than the red vinyl, kind of a twist there. They are likely the perfect power pop band. Wonderful job as always.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Chris. I hadn't known about the black lable version of Nazz Nazz. I appreciate the kind words.

[@howardquinn5911]

First I ever heard the black vinyl was more rare! I have one. My early high school crush had a red one, autographed by Stewkey, her older sister’s crush. Great Band! Beautiful girls that really got hip to great east coast talent. My next favorite band of the time was The Small Faces.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Twilights album behind you! 9.50 is one of my favourite tracks from 1967. Terry Britten also wrote Whats Love Got to Do With It for Tina Turner. Glenn Shorrock went on to the Little River Band. I believe that Todd is touring Australia in 2024.

[@moodiblues2]

Another excellent video. I’m a child of the sixties, but somehow I missed the Nazz. I have added several of the songs that you highlighted. Thanks🎸🎹

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Robert!

[@moodiblues2]

@@popgoesthe60s52 keep rocking and educating the younger generations about good music!

[@allenshively6374]

I remember having a NAZZ album with Hello It’s Me on it as a teenager in the 60’s. It was on red vinyl.

[@wyliesmith4244]

Nazz Nazz came out on red vinyl, but I don't think that the first did. I did buy each album as they came out, and the first was on black vinyl.

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

I have just subscribed to your channel because you present so much unique and in-depth information about 60s music. Thanks to your amazing channel, I have discovered "The Left Banke" and "The Nazz". I look forward to discovering more hidden gems!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Welcome, David - so glad to have you aboard!

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

My privilege. I have a 16 year old daughter that have discovered the brilliant "Spanky and her gang" thanks to your educational channel.@@popgoesthe60s52

[@sabbathbloodysabbath3351]

I absolutely adore this band. Especially their debut album. Would you perhaps be able to do a video on the Irish psych band Andwella's Dream?

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I would probably mention them along with some other psych bands. I don't think I could dedicate a full video to them but I would like to do more psych videos.

[@TATICMOOR]

Wonderful little historical film of The Nazz. Thanks for sharing.

[@funkadelphiarecords]

Correction at 4:40, The Electric Factory had opened up in Philadelphia, not New York, in early 1968.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, someone else caught that too. My mistake - I appreciate the correction, funk.

[@billleary5779]

Thanks for another terrific video Matt! I love Todd Rundgren and was familiar with the Nazz song Open My Eyes from seeing a video on VH-1 back in the late 1980s. I will check out some of their stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

You'll love them - thanks Bill!

[@erniericardo8140]

I also remember in the 80's, I think it was MTV closet classics...something like that (if I remember) seeing that video for the first time of Open My Eyes, Great Video! Killer song!!!

[@hanskloss1331]

EXCELLENT The NAZZ was ! 😊

[@aprilflowers6074]

Oh my gosh what a brilliant video! Thank you so so much… that was such a fun and informative watch. I love Nazz so so much and I’m always sad that there’s not more content to dig into from them, videos and photos and stuff. So thank you for satisfying my Nazz hunger haha!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

You are so welcome, April! Thank you for commenting.

[@knightvisioniixv]

Uncanny - I was just thinking about The Nazz, and now this shows up. I'm a huge Todd Rundgren fan. Interesting early version of "Hello, It's Me" - the self-penned tune he would resurrect and re-record just a few years later as a solo artist. Love that first album. Excellent choice for this topic!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks, Knight Vision!

[@jeffricketts1834]

I really liked Under the ice, Heavy !!

[@danielhayes7967]

Reason why "The Mad Room" is a classic to me.

[@jeffthewhiff]

Matt, you always do a great job with your You Tube page and I really like how you research all aspects of the bands. You can definitely hear Todd Rundgren's influence on his 1970s solo career on The Nazz' songs and I have always liked how Todd combined jazz with rock on his compositions.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, Rundgren's talent really shows through in these formative recordings. Thanks for the comment, Jeff!

[@Raoaone]

I’ve owned Nazz 2 since 1969. My dad who wouldn’t have known the difference between The Rolling Stones and the Beatles brought it home from work (he managed a K Mart). It was like excess inventory. I became a Todd fan. For the next 50+ years I thought I had a rare red vinyl promotional copy. Until today and with Matt’s show I find they were all red vinyl. Still pretty cool. Flash forward 40+ years Todd was doing a show in my city, Oshkosh WI. I knew someone on the programming committee and I asked her if she could get Todd to sign it. I knew Todd was not exactly fan friendly but she got it done. The record came back signed “Todd 2019”. It was 2017 at the time but I guessed Todd was a little spaced out as to what year it was.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

What a great story from you Dad on down to the Oshkosh show. I live in Milwaukee, so I know exactly where your town is. I was informed by 2 commenters here that there is a black vinyl version that is much rarer than the red.