"Todd Rundgren didn't want me in Utopia" - Kasim Sulton Interview

[@loucontino4804]

Kasim Sulton is THE most under-rated bassist/vocalist in music. If you disagree, just go listen to his playing on Utopia's recordings. The tune Caravan on the Redux: Live in Japan '92 work with Utopia is staggering alone. His extemporaneous playing within that groove is phenomenal!

[@tomdrewenskus8167]

I would say the same about Colin Moulding of XTC.

[@lumpytapioca5062]

My first Todd show was the full blown Ra/Pyramid/Glass Guitar extravaganza. Kasim was this kid that sang and played his ass off. A total pro out of the gate. A voice clear as a bell. Bass playing like he had a second mind taking care of the bottom end.

[@Theweeze100]

My first show too! Unbelievable talent.

[@brianfergus839]

I wish I’d seen that tour. Todd’s solo dangling in the air is legendary

[@melodymakermark]

That was my first Todd show as well. Memphis’ Ellis Auditorium, 1977, I believe. I was an usher in the balcony, and the balcony was almost empty, so after showing a half dozen people where to sit, I grabbed a seat of my own. Fantastic show.

[@johnhutchison9782]

What a great all around musician and vocalist. Such a distinctive voice, nobody else sounds like him🤘😛🤘

[@janazetterman8307]

I agree! I kinda get sick of them saying he "sounds like Paul McCartney or Billy Joel". The only singer that I ever heard that ever reminded me of his voice was Patrick Moaz on the song "Dancing Now" off of "The Story of I"

[@janazetterman8307]

Moraz. Patrick Moraz.

[@cr8cat794]

I’ve long thought the same about Kaz

[@zg9445]

A few of his songs reminded me of Ben Folds (specifically Hoi Polloi) although Ben obviously started long after Kasim

[@shawnuel]

“Very Last Time” is another all time fave! I saw them perform it on The Mike Douglas show in 1979. That is what tuned me in to the band! They also played “Love is the Answer” and that is how I discovered Todd wrote that song! I also had no clue he had a band! I was 15/16 at that time.

[@michaelthornburg2491]

I met Kasim in a small club in the 80s after a Todd Rundgren show. He came out to the bar and i had a great conversation with him. Truly a genuine nice guy and was easy to talk with. Great singer and bassist.

[@Hegstuffing]

Nicest of people. I ran right into him at Hotel Utah a few years ago an hour or so before his first San Francisco solo show. We had a brief chat about whether or not he would be playing piano and then again outside the door of the club before he dashed off. Hasn't been back since. I took some video of that show. It's on my channel if you care to have a listen.

[@davidschecter5247]

Such a talent. I could never figure out why the three-sided "UTOPIA" record was not a HUGE hit. Amazing power-pop songs with all 15 of them a winner. One of the best albums of the 1980s. Kasim's and Todd's vocals are so perfect together throughout the album. Love Kasim's solo work, too!

[@kassandjohnbolles3522]

Great interview. Always loved Kasim's vocal on "Eternal Love."

[@gatekeeper65]

Another legendary musician that just doesn't get enough mention these days. Leland Sklar mentioned how good he is a short while back. Your interviews are exceptional sir. Take care and have a great day.

[@garypowell1540]

Todd says so himself. His music has a peculiar need to be listened too several times before you get to like it. I have never had a Todd or Utopia album that I did not end up loving that I did not hate the first time I listened to it and I really don't know why. For example the first time I listened to Hermit of Mink Hollow I almost threw it in the bin. I played it again a year later a couple of times and it soon became one of my most played albums. A similar thing happened with all of the many rest and without exception. I think perhaps the most endearing thing about everything Todd has been involved with is the uplifting sense of innocent and spiritual optimism it engenders in the listener. It all just makes you feel at least a little bit happier then your were, which is a good thing. The music of Jon Anderson and Yes engender a similar uplifting feeling. A welcome remedy for inherently depressing bands such as Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath to name but a few. After all don't we have enough evil in our lives and utterly surrounding us, do we really need to deliberately invite even more of it into our fragile consciousness? These days if music does not make me feel better about myself and my fellow man then I don't play it anymore, and why should I do otherwise?

[@DropAnchor1978]

Kasim is so great. His new album is fantastic. He is like the secret weapon in any band he joins.

[@RockinSG]

Utopia was a group of brilliant musicians and a great band.

[@biglove1941]

Thank you for this interview guys. I know it's over 2 yrs old, but alot of great stories and insights. Be sure to watch t he 2024 Chicago show..awesome!

[@utopia2112]

As a very young Utopia fan during the 80s, I loved Todd of course but I identified strongly with Kasim because of his youthfulness. Love his vocals and playing. Meant so much to me!

[@ReneeNme]

5:34 "Oops, Wrong Planet". Trapped off of that album was by far my favorite. "Brother John, saw visions of God. So they put him in chains, for acting too odd. As the crowd shouted "Off with his head", the Priest said "Have mercy, let's burn him instead". Quite the group of nice people. 🤣

[@MrWheeler715]

I only discovered Utopia a few years ago. What a find! The perfect balance of pop and prog. Would love to have been a fan back in the day. Adventures in Utopia is an amazing record.

[@raymondroberts8709]

I saw Utopia in 76 or 77 (lol) at World Series of Rock, Cleveland Ohio. It was the RA tour! Sphinx, pyramid, the whole thing. They were awesome, of course.

[@theoversouls]

So cool to hear these stories - especially Set Me Free. One of my faves and I sang it 6 nights a week back in the 80's heyday of big clubs. Also did a medley of Couldn't I Just Tell You, Love Is The Answer and Love in Action (another favorite). Always been a Kasim fan!

[@tobinharris8107]

Love love love Kas ! He is the most authentic guy and has the best smile. Really seems to be genuinely happy and it’s infectious.

[@pleiadian13]

Kasim rocks. Todd is brilliant but I’m informed back in 2005 that he lives in his head creatively and would forgot to eat it or exercise if not for he nearest and dearest. I think he said he has decided he has some degree of ADHD. I’ve loved Todd since I was a child and heard my cousins Something/Anything album. I’ve seen him live twice once in 1976 and 2018, and touched his right shoulder lol as he passed through the audience at The Curtin Hotel in Melbourne 2018.

[@lastdaysguitar]

So nice to see Kasim get these forums - he really deserves every bit of success he gets, also that bass solo on "Singring" is still among my all time favorites!

[@Elise__Mae]

Kaz's praise of Todd is so heartfelt ... and so relevant. Has anyone worked with Todd more, or over more time? I doubt it.

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

OMG !! REALLY TODD !!! WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY !! DUDE KASIMS VOICE WORKS WITH YOURS YOU BONEHEAD. HARMONY MAN.

[@fmphotooffice5513]

You have to point out the 4 different and compelling singing styles in (this version of) Utopia. Kasim has an interesting blend of belting and silk, especially when he was younger. IMO Utopia Utopia was their magnum opus. The best recorded live show was Japan Redux.

[@charleshill9236]

First time I saw Kasim with Utopia I noticed the whole audience was just blown away him. Great talent. Seems like a nice guy too!

[@mc76]

I saw Utopia at the Indiana University Auditorium in November of 1975. Unbelievable. The level of musicianship was off the charts. On a separate note, I felt really bad for the opening act, The Rubinoos. They were a great power pop band, but the prog rock Utopia fans were not having it. Promoters in the 1970s made absolutely no effort to coordinate genres, so there were some bizarre double and triple bills.

[@charlesfaulkner4586]

What a great guy. What a talented guy. I wish I’d met him.

[@thequintonflynn]

Love Alone by Kasim is a gem!

[@chericercone2362]

This conversation is so cool. I'm such a fan of all the Utopia musicians, and Kasim is in the cream at the top.

[@shawnuel]

YES! Kasim and a talk about Utopia. That S/T album is a top 25 all-timer for me. Excellent stuff. By the way, that Beatles homage was called Deface the Music. John, when you asked if he wrote all the songs…..I assume that was a transition to talking about a new album? 2021? I need to look that up.

[@janazetterman8307]

Yes his GREAT new album is called "Kasim 2021". Check it out you will most likely love it!!!!

[@randallbevansr5200]

Undoubtedly,the BEST BASS PLAYER,on the planet

[@brianmccain6302]

Saw Utopia w the tubes a 3 times in 85 ,great shows.Utopias strength was creative input from all band members in addition to versatility to play all styles of music which made their music always interesting,very similar to early Tubes albums.

[@rts100x5]

UTOPIA is in my top 5 of ALL TIME bands ... just me but damn from the moment I heard RA in 79 I was MEZmorized ... part of the genius is really the singing contributions by all NOT just Kasim ... and the song writing was just as he said brilliant beyond brilliant on so many levels In all honesty Im a closet singer and singing UTOPIA songs is pure bliss .,... especially the harmonies on UTOPIA album like Feet Don't Fail Me Now ....or ... Chapter and Verse .....

[@minsterhill]

A terrific talent Kasim's work with Utopia and solo is top notch! And still is!

[@thetruthissweet2847]

Kasim is one of the nice guys in rock.

[@garypowell1540]

Todd was never reticent about taking his inspirations from all kinds of various popular bands or artists and putting his own stamp on them. For example the Beatles, Boston, the Beach boys, and various Mo Town soul artists. I can't think of anyone else who did this or was happy to do so. Todd seemed fascinated by all forms of music and wished to master them all including the classical and folk forms like an overactive child in a musical sweet shop. He did not attempt to hide the fact either indeed would often make this as obvious as possible as if his work was intended to be a tribute to others talent more than his own. Todd obviously loves to play and write and is good at both, but his heart was always firming in the realm of production rather than performance. He lacks the essential ego, good looks and self confidence required to force his own personality onto his audience and is clearly a shy person at heart who prefers not to be on stage at all or even the center of attention more than occasionally. IMO. Todd is a very good vocalist but not a great one. He is a good guitar player and instrumentalist but not a great one. He is a good performer but not a great one. He is a good band member but not a great one. He is a very good song writer, but not a great one. He is a good philosopher and spiritualist, but not a great one. He is a good innovator but not a great one. He is a good guy but not the greatest. He is a very good producer, and maybe a great one. However put it all together and Todd is perhaps the greatest musical allrounder, to use a cricketing term, of all time and space. Which is quite the achievement, don't you think?

[@LoyalOpposition]

I love the interviews. You always allow them to talk! So many interrupt would-be great stories!

[@randallkennedy2066]

Great cut.

[@macsnafu]

This was good. I know so little about the other Utopia members besides Rundgren.

[@jamesdaviddupre99]

Great band. Kasim had the best voice, but they all sang well. I saw a concert with Utopia & the Tubes, close enough to see the backstage antics as Fee Waybill shot a water gun at Todd, or it may have been vice-versa, too long ago to recall, but fun to watch them razz each other. Ha Ha

[@Theweeze100]

Thanks for doing this interview!!!

[@WilliamB-y8u]

Would love to see a utopia reunion

[@Earth_to_Kensho...ComeInKensho]

I can't believe Todd was negative about Kasim joining the band. I think he's one of the most underrated bassist's in rock history. Wow.

[@CodeBleu724]

I have Kaz's solo record...on vinyl...from 1982..".Don't Break My Heart" is a catchy little bop.

[@mariaday712]

Great interview.

[@John-wm4xk]

Big fan .... 1977 utopia album Ra is a masterpiece , also big fan of the Road to Utopia album

[@nancyz7099]

Great stories

[@brookiestorer5231]

Love Kasim!

[@progger53]

I got to see the progressive/fusion version of Utopia around 1974 at Davenport, Iowa's RKO Orpheum Theater.

[@kevinogracia1615]

"The Ikon" on the first Utopia album kicks-ass. Kids... start there.

[@andypearce5537]

Deface the music! Awesome.

[@greekusatv]

Good stuff that I never knew about!

[@boogingtonthunderwood8969]

I’ll never be able to listen to “The Very Last Time” ever in the same way again.

[@garethhobley2707]

Kazim one of the greats he along with Dee Muray are the reason I became a bass player and singer

[@mauroc8239]

I listened to "The Very Last Time" and I could certainly hear the similarity to Boston's "More than a Feeling". John, very interesting interview as always. Thanks.

[@sapinva]

If they could have suppressed their R/B influences a bit, it would have sounded just like Boston. Remember hearing that album for the first time and thinking there was something familiar about many of the songs.

[@buxxbannerspov30]

JMO...I wish Todd would have kept Moogy Klingman in the revised Utopia

[@bobmerc3312]

There is no link to the entire interview John

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

Control freak but i still love Todd.😊

[@apseudonym]

yeah he'd be a pain in the ass to work with but all of his decisions always seem to be the right ones. I love him

[@fredricclack7137]

💕 Utopia 2X! 🌌🪨⚒️

[@gerrymessier8781]

I really line John Siegler but I saw Kasim with Meatloaf and he was a monster

[@fredricclack7137]

Adv Tour 80 🤯

[@kassandjohnbolles3522]

Am I the only one who sees the irony in the idea that Todd decided Utopia would be democratic?

[@richalderson6069]

Don't mean to sound like a prick, but whatever democratic intentions Todd had for Utopia, it's pretty much him I hear more than anyone else in their music, I could easily play their albums alongside his solo records and it still sounds like Todd.

[@fredricclack7137]

Very Last ⏰😮😂

[@jwalderman]

I saw Todd several times in the 70's following Something/Anything (probably his best album ever) and Wizard - A True Star. The guy couldn't put on a decent concert if his life depended on it. This man is a studio artist and a great one. But put him on stage and he loses it totally. Sad but true.

[@garyfoster3854]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@fredricclack7137]

🍒 Vanilla 😅

[@RichardSmith-ry8hk]

Utopia without Kasim is like Zep without Bonham and a great singer

[@Slavatoremondo]

Todd is jealous. Have you ever noticed Todd looks like Atlantis Morissette.

[@cherylcopus6059]

Todd looks nothing like Atlantis Morrissette!!!lol

[@johnhutchison9782]

I think the marmoset looks like Todd. Just saying.

[@apseudonym]

both genius artists. cry about it

[@Cnhfcsh]

I know, I’m gonna be murdered for this. But I’ll take the hit gladly. I had to have been one of the biggest Todd Rundgren fans in history. Not hyperbole. Long story. As a result of my admiration for Todd, I ended up receiving several of his albums, free from his record company, and met Todd a couple times and chatted. He seems like a good guy! I loved his work with the Nazz. I loved his solo albums after the Nazz. Then here comes this drip called utopia. I tried to like them. Wanted to like them because they were Todd’s band. I bought five utopia albums. Bottom line, no matter how hard I tried… I hated them. Gag me with a spoon. Their stuff is absolutely horrible. When Todd sings on utopia albums- he sounds like a non-singer; a kid who doesn’t know how bad he is. The guitar playing is pathetic. And the songs… what drivel. All in all it’s just totally obnoxious. To me, utopia has always sounded like a band with no talent, trying desperately, trying way too HARD to sound legit, but only exposing how talentless they are. Don’t get me wrong - I know Todd is gifted. I will speculate that everybody else in Utopia is probably a good musician, as well. But something about the four of them together, whatever it was they were trying to achieve … the noise that came out was utterly forgettable were it not for how dismal it was. Just amateur sounding. Top to bottom. Happily, I put myself on the road leading away from utopia a long, long time ago.

[@neilparnell5712]

There only ever was one Utopia : Todd, Kevin Ellman, John Siegler, Ralph Schuckett, Moogy Klingman and M Frog Labatt. That album in 1974 broke the musical mould and still sounds fresh and innovative today. Every member of the band was a virtuoso but for me Kevin puts in an otherworldly performance on drums / percussion. Him and John on bass really shine and hold the whole album together so tightly. I too never got on with the cringey poppy mushy sludge that Utopia the band produced. The Ikon and Freak Parade really highlight what was possible.

[@georgialjones623]

Boulder. Gjones