Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Utopia Theme (Live At The Chicago Theatre)

[@pauljensen4122]

The first Utopia record got etched into my brain in 1976. It's has never left. Thank you Todd!

[@Sithreis]

This is the kinda song that should be handed down to the next generation and prevented from being lost to time at all costs.

[@JeffReams]

Agreed. 👍

[@bigbrotherisasob]

Use to listen to this when first back in High School. Some of my friends thought I was nuts. Told them - no way, listen to it with headphones - absolutely incredible.

[@kmdionis]

headphones = utopic ❤

[@abaneyone]

Your friends probably liked disco only lol.

[@bigbrotherisasob]

@@abaneyone no, they hated disco. Like everyone did. The point is - it's very very different and complex compared to much of the other Rock-n-roll recordings during that time, but you really couldn't fully hear or appreciate it - unless you were wearing headphones.

[@autk]

​@@bigbrotherisasobagree completely my sis got the record in 74 I was 14, in 1974, she let me try it out on my stereo which was even better than hers and I had brand new wonderful headphones I listened to all the Yes and Jethro Tull she turned me on to...I was gobsmacked...turned my buddies on that were serious into music and spread it around "only in headphones" can't believe you were the same, unbelievable I started a band at 15 in 75 and played seriously for another 20 years, still playing in bands for recreational fun, thanks sis, RIP 🖤

[@PlanetMemberStudios]

Same here! True of most of the music I followed back then. Kraftwerk, and so much more. I was the oddball, but I have the best experiences in listening adventures as a result!

[@kenhaynes942]

What a great song. I listened to this song and album a zillion times back in the day. Still listening today!

[@davidnilles3117]

Such an incredible rock song! Todd Rundgren is a master of music. 👏

[@joeydaglio7655]

I can't believe going on 50 years I first played this album!!! WOW I've seen him 3 times in the 70's and early 1980's I've got see him before I'm called home!!

[@mc76]

I have had the privilege of attending a lot of concerts by a slew of great artists in my 69 years on this rock, but seeing the original lineup of this band performing songs from their first album might be the apex of my concertgoing. Just spectacular.

[@davidget.1787]

Todd and utopia we grew up listening to this my older siblings turned me on to this stuff very talented group Todd has an amazing voice he still has it...😊

[@BritIronRebel]

I bought tickets to see this original tour not knowing what to expect out of Todd....I should have known it would be earth shatteringly great!

[@kthaynes3170]

Definitely Todd's best, esp the guitar work here, so many years later, pretty faithful to the Atlanta live recording.

[@autk]

That Atlanta live tho, incredible

[@sidtone1]

THE Creator has a master plan! First time I noticed Todd and Pete Townsend connection although I’ve worked with them many times. And as always Kasim is masterful

[@Marshtubeamps]

Brilliant doesn"t do it justice! I have always loved this persona, the writer, the player and Composer Todd Rundgren. This is Life at its Best!!!

[@billmiller9145]

Saw this same show in Phoenix, it was the chance of a lifetime to hear my favorite music of all time. Music I'd only dreamed I'd see played live. It was fucking transcendent! Watching this again is simply spectacular!

[@BegoneJonah]

When I used to listen to this back in early 1975, I thought it was somewhat tedious. I can see now, however, live, it is absolutely epic!

[@robertpittman1726]

It was always live. I know of no studio version of this song.

[@tramlad2]

RA by Utopia is still one of my favourite albums, its a tour de force , headphones on , an amazing experience

[@johnnyd63]

"Who can this be at this time of night?? I'm sure we werent followed Dr.Klang" THE RA headphone moment.

[@bigbrotherisasob]

Headphones are a must. ABSOLUTELY incredible

[@jfo3000]

Communion with the Sun!

[@abaneyone]

I saw that show at the Landmark theater in Syracuse NY. Absolutely the best!

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

Cleveland Coliseum when this tour first started. EPIC NIGHT ✌✌✌✌✌

[@doetakemeetuseriously2810]

Saw this tour in St Louis. THE BEST

[@GentleGiant1969]

Fabulous!! We listed to this as much as In The Court and Gentle Giant back in the late 70s!! ❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@steveunderdahl8929]

I was hooked on this on first listen back in 74, still am! As I recall I knew every lick on a tennis racket 😉

[@noslen954]

Always loved this song.

[@alasdairvincent6248]

This is Todd Rundgren at his Prog Rock best. I think his talents are underestimated by some. This is real music

[@stevedupree525]

I used this to get my head straight before a HS basketball game in the seventies. I now listen to it while I do a Zone 5 workout at 64 years of age.

[@garyzajdel5204]

Stellar performance!

[@RichNarez]

I am a huge fan of todd rundgren his prog stuff with utopia and his pop stuff

[@macduff14]

This is as fresh as the first time I heard on vinyl back in 1979

[@JanMorin-u1i]

In a Volvo Amazon with a Wunderbaum... This, was fantastic 1974!!

[@cathygalan6161]

Thank-you. Great tune You guys just made my day.....

[@guitarcomet5]

Does my heart good to see so many young people in the audience. I often wonder how Kanye West or Cardi B could ever be adored by so many people when there’s people like Todd Rundgren in the world…😂

[@BegoneJonah]

This is why people used to say back then Todd is God.

[@billthon1099]

Such great masters of rock

[@bobnewman1116]

But Love is the Answer from this show gives me goosebumps.

[@hankhammer1689]

100% Excellent Performance

[@chrismark8728]

Once it begins you can't look away.

[@tonyrossodivita9180]

Absolutely great song. Probably Todd's best. You can hear echoes of Cream, King Crimson, and the Strawbs in there.

[@davidtokar8800]

@Tony Rossodivita I agree...Yes! And on ANOTHER LIVE, I hear a little Mahavishnu, Return to Forever, Weather Report, etc. Mix of 70s rock, prog and fusion.

[@rhondadinkin9473]

I LOVE THIS!!!

[@tombutsch6838]

Hey Todd, George Jetson wants his guitar back. :-)

[@COLDMKULTRA]

TODD IS STILL ... GOD ! ...

[@2wayplebney]

Todd is like a mirror. He does stuff that is current, but shows how it could be done better. A super mirror, then.

[@2wayplebney]

Prog was a new thing in the mid 70's.

[@clubmidnightsun]

Excellent!

[@viagensimagens]

Genius!!

[@ashratempel5094]

Masterpiece from the summer of my years.

[@joesalorino9195]

Still fabulous.

[@sandrosbackyard343]

would've loved 2 see this LIVE with no commercials...fuckin' awesome

[@jamiepastman5594]

Kevin ellman missed here. siegler too. Keyboard player does a nice job. Todd is dressed like a character in a Miyazaki animation

[@tzbckn6776]

Superb

[@tadzagogo]

Best Prog always came from Europe, but man, this stuff always hits hard. 🕉️

[@James-zd1lk]

I always loved prog music! Todd/Utopia did it for me.

[@roderickrayrutledge2740]

I've been a fan since "The Nazz" 1969.

[@alessandrotibaldi1273]

great TODD: king of Progressive !

[@timlafreniere1580]

Willie still sounds good but like all of us as we age doesn’t quite have the same attack on the drums spends a bit of time behind the beat

[@kasimsultonfan]

Agreed. Love Willie , his work on Ra is especially magnificent. But , like us all , time is catching him up. This one will always belong to Kevin.

[@WinstonTexas829]

You’re right about Willie. It doesn’t help that Todd has been very sloppy live for a long time. Is he ahead of the beat? They were nowhere near each other. I think from comments Todd made, that he never liked Willie’s playing but couldn’t be bothered to do anything about it. Very Todd.

[@autk]

Deliberately slowed down by design, it's just a frenetic pace on the original Atlanta recording, and yes they are liberal here in staying around the beat, but my goodness it's still amazing to recreate with those few guys after all these DECADES!

[@bobnewman1116]

Think Todd still has his wicked chops? Awesome. Better than ever. The heavy prog stuff is best. Imho.

[@TheTayedrums]

funny how todd sounds so full with this 4 piece band...and pink floyd--using all thge latest greatest effects in the world needs a back up keys, backup drummer and rhythm guitar player to produce their sound...in their later years....lol..lol.. go todd go!! i do mis powell!

[@jamiepastman5594]

who is on keys? He's replacing 3 guys, wow! Kevin Ellman sorely missed here, he powered the original much harder

[@banditY2K]

I saw the original lineup do this 3 times. This ain't bad but it's not as good. Moogy, Ralph, John, Jean Ives, and Kevin absolutely blew the roof off. This sounds more like a "tribute" band.

[@Mick1121Live]

It's alot slower than when I saw them live at the Led Zeppelin gig at Reading. It had loads more pace then.

[@AlmostEthical]

Yep, we slow down with age :)

[@iSirVictor]

This is actually ‘Utopia Theme’

[@Ledones]

lol I didn't notice it. Thanks hahaha

[@nechesh]

I believe it was simply just "Utopia" on the original vinyl release though.

[@VickersDoorter]

@@nechesh Just to say I have an original 1974 LP (which I purchased in that year!) and it says Utopia Theme on both the LP label and rear cover.

[@nechesh]

@@VickersDoorter are you sure you have the original 1974 release. According to wikipedia (which can, of course be wrong like anyone else) "On the first reissue of the album, released in 1978, the title of "Utopia" was changed to "Utopia Theme" and publishing credits were changed from Earmark Music to Earmark Music and Screen Gems - Columbia Music. This may have happened as a result of legal action against Rundgren by Tony Sales for appropriation of the song in 1976, for royalties of $100,000 or more." It repeats this information by the track listings: "Note: "Utopia" is titled "Utopia Theme" on later editions."

[@VickersDoorter]

@@nechesh Like I said, I purchased it in 1974 and it clearly says Utopia Theme on the rear cover and the LP label. Just to be clear, I'm talking about track one on side one, not the name of the album, unless we're talking at cross purposes?

[@davidtokar8800]

Todd, Kasim and 'Willie' are easy to identify, but the keyboardist does not look like Roger Powell to me. Am I right? If so, who is the keyboardist? Thanks!

[@GrouRocks]

It's Gil Assayas

[@guitarcomet5]

BTW, I don’t know the year this concert was but Todd was a much better guitar player back in the 70-80s. He did well in the “New Cars” band, but that was about where his age and other factors began taking a toll on his performance ability. If you thought he was good here…boy, you should hear older videos.😊

[@johnunderwood3132]

The beginning always reminds me of King Crimson. Maybe

[@jimflys2]

Yeah, also a little bit of ELP in there and Gustav Holst with a nod to Mars from Planets with those sharp 9 chords and the rhythm pattern.

[@captainbungee]

Is that Joe Satriani on drums?

[@bullwinkle57]

Point taken, but i think that it's Willie Wilcox!

[@jimflys2]

Willie "Satch" Wilcox. Lol.

[@Eric-steele]

Kenny Aaronofff I think

[@doetakemeetuseriously2810]

Willie Wilcox

[@jfo3000]

Dr. Evil on drums.

[@grayeagle1000]

Fcking great but just missing a catalyst of some sort or something. Some tiny piece is missing. I say that and I'm part prog rocker.

[@jfo3000]

I think the slow tempo takes the energy level down a bit. Maybe that is the missing element. Still enjoyable though...especially considering it's only a four piece ensemble. Takes balls to attempt this with only 4 guys.

[@autk]

The slower tempo does take the pizazz out to a degree, but it's still beautiful

[@wesleyclark8586]

Cod is one of most talented people in the music industry

[@petersokol1603]

His sister Spicy Fish Sauce is also quite excellent.

[@gregsantine4155]

Todd is God

[@stevecarmello7134]

Chestnut ridge baby, 1970's

[@chrishackenbrock4150]

Anyone but me recognize the drummer?

[@kimhongell]

Absolety fabolyus!?

[@Bennys_Covers]

6:32

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

This strikes me as a parody of progressive rock, and for all I know it may be-intentionally, that is.

[@RAPTRx-xm7zb]

Same as Jethro Tull’s ‘Thick as a Brick’ and ‘A Passion Play’. Nothing wrong with that as long as it’s good Prog rock.