Todd Rundgren - Black Maria

another track from a network tv show in 1973.

[@hotkit2555]

Todd Rundgren is wonderful. He's one of my all-time favorite musicians. I loved him and his music since I first heard him at 15. I'm 23 now.

[@caraphyllis]

Todd Rundgren ... always such a shy, retiring, quiet sort of boy. I think this outfit was his Sunday Go to Meetin' suit.

[@BegoneJonah]

I remember seeing this in 1973. That feathered outfit blew my mind. Doesn't get much more glam rock than that!

[@darrenbethell7451]

What an awesome musician this guy is

[@Kashaslove]

The only thing I remember about the "Black Maria" was that it was what people called the hearse that picked up the dead, especially the poor dead. This is connected from a memory from a book about Annie Sullivan (Helen Keller's teacher) when I was young. I have to look this up! And I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheMadDoctorLong12]

Way beyond their time culturally...green hair and face paint....look out KISS...

[@OrchestrationOnline]

The guy with the green hair is doing sound tech right on stage along with the band - possibly also background synth. Man, I wish I'd had a good sound tech on stage with me when I was a club-crawler. Rundgren knew what he was doing...

[@Jskins]

M. Frog Labat on early synth

[@jellyjukebox]

Great playing by Todd on Eric's guitar from the Cream era. Wonderful song from Todd's "Something Anything", what a record.

[@gudatine]

I LOVE this song.. and of all the versions, this one is the most FanToddstik!!!♥

[@pdeckder]

@mickmaag, this is the original Utopia with Kevin Ellman on drums. This is rare footage because Jean-Yves "M.Frog" Labat is still "playing" the synthesizer -- he would soon be replaced by Roger Powell. This lineup only appeared on the first Utopia album, and even the tour behind that album featured Powell. Ellman stuck around until 1975, when he left and was replaced by Willie Wilcox.

[@bobbyozb]

Somebody's really off key singing background.....Todd playing Clapton's old SG from his Cream days.....Todd called it "Sunny"....After "Sunshine of your Love".

[@chelababy1]

Aww !! Look at our Moogy Klingman !! This is Always a Favorite of Mine !!

[@lemmno1949]

*PING xoxo

[@crabshaw]

That`s M. frog Labatte. He was in the Todd Rundgren band Utopia for a short time. He was sort of a Brian Eno Synth guy. He actually had a couple of solo albums which were VERY eclectic.

[@Kashaslove]

I think it's Midnight Special. We used to watch that show all the time. We (boomers) had THE BEST music.

[@lunasoffio]

:) oh Todd........ how I love you...

[@critchda]

That's great to hear. I fell in love with his music when I was about 15 and I'm now 50.

[@axeman1009]

Saw Todd play "Maria" with The New Cars a few weeks ago in Shawnee Ok. Al Dimeola is my favorite guitarist. Todd my all time favorite musician. Roger

[@fuelyournews]

Great Bird of Paradise this Todd! What a tallent. F.Y.N.

[@blovelady]

I still get chills to this day when Todd plays "Black Maria" at his shows. He is the best, I to just love him!!

[@paisleybabee]

OMG!!!!!This is absolutely steller!

[@carriemcgehee7412]

So talented!

[@Joseph03743]

He's old enough to be your Grand Papa but he sure knows how to rock & roll. Have fun kid. :)

[@ZalMoxis]

This is a kick ass song..... listen to the original.... where are the freaks these days...?? Todays musician have all become walking cliches....... and what a great live band.... except for the hidden young girl on backing vocals... hehe!!

[@johnveitch7410]

There seem to be a lot of delicate, young things with mobiles and lanky, pock-marked legal highers who see themselves as freaks and heads. I am only saying but what....

[@johnveitch7410]

Nowadays we seem to see a lot of prissy, delicate priggish things in tie-dyes accompanied by lanky pock-marked youths clutching mobiles who see themselves as freaks and heads; wtf but I am getting old. Peace

[@darrenbethell7451]

It certainly is a kick arse song like all of his stuff

[@toddwhite1036]

The Fool guitar went from Clapton to Jackie Lomax (Sour Milk Sea), then Todd purchased it from him, fairly cheap from what I remember. Todd had to do some extensive work on it, very rough shape. Todd then auctioned it off, didn't get a ton for it I believe. Either some collector owns it or Olivia Harrison. I forget.

[@bonzelite]

nice. another rundgren gem from the midnight special. haven't seen this one before. thanks much!

[@rixta50]

A Dream last forever !!!! been a fan since the Nazz daze I even loved your production on the Hall & Oats LP (sadly an overlooked gem) TODD rocks and i am so pleased to know my name is on your TODD LP poster -it is a Much loved GEM I will never forget searching the poster for my name !! very clever idea Sad that they don't make proper Lp covers like those days - I think they should still release CD's in proper LP jackets ! Rickster

[@phonoholic]

What a great song - it still holds up today.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

Sound tech, yes. Look at the gear that he's adjusting during Rundgren's solo - Rundgren is looking at him, asking for a touch more volume. Yes, I know all about Eno, I did an entire 6-hour special for Radio New Zealand on Eno, including the Roxy days, and we even interviewed him. What Rundgren's tech is doing here is adjusting levels and effects for the stage mix - not for the mains. Yeah, he's also got a synth next to him, but he's not running tape loops.

[@atlasking6110]

It's not a sound tech, it's "keyboardist" M. Frog Labat.

[@scottytrotter]

I love this old footage. I've never seen TR perform or any TV stuff ever, so this is a real find for me. Todd is the most underrated musician on the planet. Crazy outfit!

[@Joseph03743]

Wow! I'm going to have to watch this one aver about 10 times. I'm sold.

[@GVike]

The synth is unreal.

[@heddroxx]

Thank you so very much for sharing this one with the world. I indeed remember when this Midnight Special aired in 1973, but had no idea anyone had copies of it!

[@shotdonkey]

THE wizard, THE true star; 40 years of ART and still going strong...if only you were in europe more often, todd!

[@mikekadas]

Black Maria - Todd Rundgren [Upper Darby, Pennsylvania] - 1972 - "One of his harder rocking songs that has plenty of guitar HOOKS and drum work." - Something/Anything? (Bearsville/Rhino) [Disc 2]-1990. NOTE: It's good to see a live video of this song. "-)

[@charliebronson79]

this guys' arrangement skills kick ass.

[@jimbomak]

Probable group line up : - Kevin Ellman -Drums, John Siegler -Bass, Moogy Klingman -Keyboards, Ralph Schuckett - Keyboards, M Frog Labat - Synthesizers and old Todd himself on that flash Gibson SG. Never got to see him untill Utopia came over to Glasgow Apollo in 1977 during the Ra tour. ( My first concert !)

[@lmw289]

I'm 41 and NEVER saw a synthesizer like that. I never even HEARD of a synth like that. I guess my age would confirm why. I was only 4 when this video was filmed.

[@Jskins]

Ya gotta be 20 years older to recall these... lol

[@bapyou]

M. Frog LaBatt rules the world!

[@gergsar]

remember that Todd has a sense of humor, and often likes to do over-the-top stuff on stage, just for the fun of it, or just to make things interesting...

[@jayburdification]

It was the height of the glam era. What did you expect?

[@lemmno1949]

nuttin Less! LOVE the Glam era!

[@Schmoomunitions]

The lower left of the custom made rack is the "Synthi A " by EMS. the knobs are the mixer aspect and the keyboard is how you control it. Brian Eno in Roxy Music also has the Synthi A but not in a rack. Look up Synthi A and you;ll see a picture of the small part that is the actual synthesizer.

[@mrbag60]

If i am not mistaken thats Eric Clapton's psychedelically painted Gibson SG that he used while he was in Cream. Anyways, "Black Maria" was one my 3 favorite Todd Rundgren songs from back in the day along with "I Saw The Light" and "Hello Its Me"

[@Beatles01able]

Never one of my favorite songs by Todd. Totally different ball game seeing it live like this, though!

[@groundhog713]

Great footage of TR and the original Utopia band. I thought there was never any footage featuring M. Frog Labat (the guy with green hair playing a EMS VCS3 synthesizer) and drummer Kevin Ellman at all. Thanks!

[@jdc1957]

Studio Cut is Rocking.

[@snapasaurus1]

Dont forget to go see Todd on tour 3/25/09 Starting in Florida and working his way up the coast bto cleavland

[@alclarke]

Nice guitar playing. Nice band.

[@isjerryzkid]

todd is n has always been a true livin legend i miss the daze when seein todd was as common as seein the mail carrier I met him my fave was when he play the white baby grand and hin dressed ina white tux wif tails TODD I STILL LOVE U u are the wizard/true star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ceeceedeecee]

that's why i loved the todd/kasim/roger/willie version of Utopia...they all can sing...kasim voice, especially,complements todd's vocals

[@LastTree]

Actually 1974 or 75. Us teenybppers watched this every Friday night and then Don Kirschen's Sat. Night.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

Love it! The backup vocals sound like Flo & Eddie from the Zappa years. Love how much personality and sound that Rundgren gets simply from an SG with a Fender Deluxe Reverb.

[@tlm315]

todd did some great work this for example

[@Wedontwantnowarnomore]

The best lineup ever!

[@mistersmeeg]

Todd is a god. From an unbeliever

[@fvelasqu]

Those were The Four Tops presenting Todd Rundgren!

[@solsunson262]

A Wizard, a True Star...and a Real Man!!

[@funeguy2]

Oh!..I'm goin down slow! YOU scare me so!lol...Black Maria....how can you not like it?

[@photo2010]

Saw Todd in the '70's and in the '90's and he was awesome both times. Check out 'Something/Anything'. He wrote every song and played ALL the instruments on 3/4 of it.

[@zeets93]

unless I'm mistaken, the keyboard player in the purple is Craig Frost from Grand Funk

[@Kashaslove]

I looked it up, and it said it was like a paddy wagon, picking up criminals, not dead people.

[@cindydufala7646]

Bravo ⚘

[@holybear]

The backing vocals are hilariously cute xD

[@caraphyllis]

@smokesimusmaximus True, Todd pronounces it "Ma-rye-ah" (Mariah). However, on the record he spells it "Maria". It's a Toddism. By the way, keep looking, because there is a LOT of Todd Rundgren on youtube - much of what he recorded and many of his performances from TV, shows, videos, etc., plus interviews, lectures...

[@suoklee736]

lady gaga eat your heart out.

[@KONAROCK1]

LOL the background vocals are hilarious!!

[@schlepworld]

Ah, the old freak parade blues - thanks for the posting, this is great stuff!

[@kentrice6220]

Kevin Ellman the late Moogy Klingman this was the best Utopia

[@1mikera]

+Ken Trice Yes, this was the original Utopia line up. I saw them on Toulon's campus in 74'? in New orleans....promoting the "TODD" album, it was awesome

[@barkybarkbarkbark]

Absolutely true. I call that lineup “Hugetopia.”

[@crabshaw]

The story I heard was : Eric gave it to George Harrison who gave it to a friend (I forget the guys name) Todd loaned the dude cash and the guitar was collateral. They guy never paid Todd back & 9/10th of the law it became Todd`s. The ACTUAL was sold at auction and the one Todd uses now is a VERY well done replica..

[@JimmyLeeVanDePutte]

Rough and rowdy Darke county. That is where I met him, and Rick Derringer. Todd rhymes with,,, well, met Rick in church. ;)

[@aliensporebomb]

@DovG M. Frog didn't actually play an instrument in Utopia but basically processed the sound of the members of the band thru his various modules. Roger on the other hand is one hell of a player as evidenced by his dueling solos with TR on "Another Live".

[@iceaxe56]

i think he wore that feather costume at his recent awats concert-fits a little tighter these days

[@holybear]

Great!

[@mobiledrummer]

Is this Utopia? I saw Todd at about this time here in Mobile AL and he had the guy playing the synth or whatever with the big console...that guy also played flute on a couple songs

[@lmw289]

What is that gut at the console with all the knobs doing? I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to know.

[@phonoholic]

That's not Roger Powell with the green hair - that's Jean Yves Labat (AKA M.Frog). Roger replaced him on synth, and ultimately Ralph Shuckett and Moogy Klingman on keyboards.

[@greatsajby]

Todd needs to have a little chat with his harmony vocalist. That guy can peel paint.

[@Joywldlife]

Lord.... (I think...I've thought that was the line since it came out in the 70's!)

[@Balonious_Crunk]

Awesome song! That's Eric claptons sg that he used in Cream. I read that it somehow ended up in todds hands

[@freedok]

I read a snippet about Todd and his appreciation for Bowie was into then. This may explain the "Bowiesque" theatrics. Regardless, Todd is and will always be an incredibly talented artist.

[@classic7890]

" how we burned in the camps later...the Black Maria sitting out there on the street with one lonely chauffeur..." Alexander Solzhenitsyn

[@chrisradano]

Go Philly!! Cool tuehn.

[@lfwpro]

In response to a comment by zeets93 concerning the players on the organ I did some checking and it looks like Ralph Schucket and Moogy Klingman musicians from the original Utopia album. Hope this helps!!!!

[@rockitflash]

Check out his guitar,it has an impressive pedigree.Originally owned by George Harrison,he sold it to Eric Clapton.Early Cream photos show Eric with this guitar.Todd bought it from Eric and he still owns it.

[@toddrundgren17]

i love how people ''think'' they know what they are talking about!

[@gergsar]

I forgot to add that this is a great live version of a GREAT song.

[@edbingey]

To Todd: I have been retained on behalf of myself to try to get the $1000,000 I lent you way back in '78. Give it up dude.

[@mazsenior]

The history of that guitar alone makes me dizzy!

[@donk70]

Todd's still alive

[@ndiorio27]

Yes...that is the Clapton guitar

[@KosmicCharley]

Sound Tech? I don't think so. He's playing an early synth. Have you checked out Roxy Music when Eno was with them?

[@Schmoomunitions]

He is playing the synthesizer.

[@adric137]

very unique

[@lmw289]

WOW! If all that's true, do you think Todd still has that guitar? I don't disbelieve that at all. BUT, that's a cool story!!!

[@Hermanroovers]

good to see Mark "Moogy" Klingman again on keys!

[@C861986]

Who knew Prince took his "Purple rain" era look and style from Todd's Keyboard player. I mean I heard he was a big fan but he just straight ripped him off!

[@Bluesmen88]

Wow, Eric Clapton's The Fool SG? Didn't know he gave it to Todd. Seems to still have the great tone.

[@lalawon]

This Looks like it's from "The Midnight Special" , the late Wolfman Jack use to host. I love Todd, Talent + so genuine. I have to believe that Ted Nugent stole some of his wardrobe.

[@micktheMaag]

@pdeckder kevin on drums.. OOOh yeah.. havent seen his face in a long time... ..? ralph schuket on keys, John siegler on bass and moogy on keys.. but i didnt recognize Kevin...thanks... today he is a very successful money manager.... look him up.. pretty amazing what this guy pulled off...

[@JeanEmmanuelDeluxe]

Vive M Frog with his green hairs and his EMS!

[@barkybarkbarkbark]

Guts. Attitude. Snarl. Hair spray. 🖤💙