TODD RUNDGREN UTOPIA AGORA BALLROOM 8-23-78 FULL SHOW

REASONABLY WATCHABLE VIDEO OF THEIR PERFORMANCE AT CLEVELAND OHIO'S AGORA BALLROOM. THE AUDIO FOR THIS PERFORMANCE APPEARS ON THE "BACK TO THE BARS" LP. NICE TO SEE VIDEO TO MATCH THE SONGS WE'VE BEEN LISTENING TO ALL THESE YEARS!

[@gerrymetzler8814]

Todd picked me up as I was thumbing it home from HS. His car was loaded with gear going to Temple Music Festival. Quite a mensch. I met him after a concert years later and he remembered me.

[@gerrymetzler8814]

This was 72 or 73

[@stephaniecarlson6689]

Ohhh wow, how exciting for you!🌺☀️🌺 New South Wales, Australia 😮

[@meesalikeu]

you shouldn’t snitch out todd like that, but i believe you - cool story bro 👍🏽

[@masayasui19670105]

天才トッドラングレン❤😊

[@BarbaraLedyard]

I've seen Todd 19 times, never a disappointment. He's helped me countless times in my life without even knowing. I would love to tell him one day. I'm looking forward to my 20th. Keep on rocking Todd. I love you and thanks for the memories. I'll always treasure your words.

[@enolamay7247]

Been in love with Todd for 40+ years! Such a talented artist.

[@karinkoops1962]

Same here.

[@RickNowels1]

i've seen todd almost every year since 1975. first time was at woman rink nyc where he recoded "another live". utopia was an amazing group....i don't think the world is making new bands anymore with this level of musicianship and songwriting. always love todd and utopia.

[@charlesmann6759]

I have been a fan since 1968 at Byron Pop fest.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Then you're looking in the wrong place..

[@nanettekroupa1371]

I’m jealous! I have only seen him 3x, but I got to talk to him once.

[@jimmiegarcia5602]

I agree.! Even now he still puts on a great show.!!!

[@gregbassa9271]

This is about the time when I discovered Todd. I have now seen him in concert an amazing 56 times! They were all fantastic. I cherish each one especially now!

[@DuoJet63]

I remember the simulcasts ( mid to late 70's) they had from the Agora. You would watch the band on the designated TV channel and then tune in the your radio to the designated station so you could listen to it stereo. That was as high tech as it got back then.

[@shelleychaney1741]

U must be from ohio

[@drummerman64]

WMMS carried the stereo broadcast

[@soko63]

It was broadcast on Channel 8

[@davidcooper9952]

I was there. Wish a better copy could be made.

[@NancyLawson2020]

I cannot believe I found this! Thank you so very much! At 16, I used to get into the The Agora in Cleveland to see Todd Rundgren play! I would still love to see/hear him play! From St Pete's Beach, FLA 😎

[@michaelgenareo7355]

CLEVELAND had it all in the 70s , the agora home of Michael Stanley

[@jfo3000]

I was also 16, in Cleveland, when this was performed, but I missed this show. Saw Todd at the Muni Stadium on the RA tour. Religious experience.

[@photoivphoto6860]

Saw this tour in the fall of 1978 in Dallas. Great show!

[@jimbrussobigtimecavaliersf6371]

Cleveland just loved Todd!!!

[@percboy555]

After listening to BTTB for over thirty years getting see the matching video is mindblowing. Todd behind the drumkit 51:35 " Whats all this white powdery stuff on the floor?" Only a "non-drummer" would count off a song with vocals instead of sticks LOL Todd's choreography on "Eastern Intrigue" , too funny. Priceless stuff!

[@ChasBeauregarde]

actually a lot of the recording of BTTB took place at NYC Bottom Line. I was there it was GREAT!

[@Flavum]

@@ChasBeauregarde And other songs recorded at The Roxy in LA.

[@ChasBeauregarde]

I dont think its the Back to the Bars tour because he didnt have Utopia with him on Back to the Bars.

[@ChasBeauregarde]

I dont think its the Back to the Bars tour because he didnt have Utopia with him on Back to the Bars.

[@seniormastersergeantchilds4053]

I think Todd is it! Singer, songwriter, musician and producer. I had the album Meatloaf "Bat out of Hell". I was amazed he produced that album. I also think he is a very nice and humble man. I'm glad he has many loyal and long time fans. Play on Todd!

[@sinajakelic]

…and sang on it, arranged, and played the lead guitar ;)

[@Scottocaster6668]

This is a bit old, but he also played the guitar solo on the song "Bat out of Hell" which is one of my favorite solos in a song. Big respect from me for that solo alone. And he did it in one take!

[@Admojazz]

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. My favorite live record of all time for years. THANK YOU.

[@JONOTHANCASTLE]

I've been looking for this forever!!!!!!!!!! Yeah it's a little VHS "gritty", but if you don't know, then "you don't know" Now gotta share it with a few folk "that know!" lol thank you Go TRIBE!!!

[@zenpaganwarrior]

I'll take gritty VHS display of greatness over perfect, shiny megapixeled HD crap any day!

[@stephaniecarlson6689]

Expressionistic ❤ fabulous Artist that we appreciate, Dearest Todd 🌺☀️🌟✨🌺💝 New South Wales, Australia.

[@towhee89]

Setlist: 0:00 Real Man 4:42 It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference 9:55 Love of the Common Man 13:45 Trapped 17:06 Abandon City 21:53 The Verb "To Love" 30:43 Seven Rays 41:30 Can We Still Be Friends 47:07 Death of Rock and Roll 52:10 You Cried Wolf 54:35 Gangrene 58:32 A Dream Goes On Forever 1:01:52 No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator 1:07:31 Eastern Intrigue 1:12:55 Initiation 1:19:49 Couldn't I Just Tell You 1:24:34 Hello It's Me 1:29:30 Just One Victory

[@yormother]

i love this man

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Truly, a Real Man!

[@kennyphoenix2989]

0:00:00 Real Man 0:04:37 It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference 0:09:09 Love of the Common Man 0:13:31 Trapped 0:17:07 Abandon City 0:21:35 The Verb to Love 0:29:55 Seven Rays 0:41:00 Can We Still Be Friends 0:45:38 The Death of Rock and Roll 0:51:40 You Cried Wolf 0:54:33 Gangrene 0:58:32 A Dream Goes On Forever 1:01:00 Black Maria 1:07:33 Eastern Intrigue 1:12:56 Initiation 1:19:50 Couldn't I Just Tell You 1:24:00 Hello, It's Me 1:29:28 Just One Victory

[@jeffflinn2053]

What a GREAT foursome to open a show, and an even MORE terrific foursome to close it!!

[@meesalikeu]

Roland Phoenix good work roland thank you - the short back to the bars 1978 tour was peak todd & the gang and perhaps the best pop rock tour in rock history. and as this was the best show of the tour, that means its thee best rock show ever. ha. well, i'd put it up against any complete show. so many highlights, but if forced to choose i'm going to go with the fan favorite rocker seven rays.

[@dank7209]

I believe this was just considered a Todd Rundgren Show. (Only 4 Utopia tunes) They were recording Back to the Bars. We had to send Money Orders into a lottery to try to get tickets. I saw Todd 30 times but wasn't lucky enough to get one of my 6 Money Orders drawn. I finally get to see it. Thanks for posting.

[@brbernardini]

Dan K Well, there's also two songs from "Faithful", which was a Utopia album in all but name. And most of the "Initiation" tracks played in this show featured members of Utopia on the original recordings.

[@ToddSloanIAAN]

The best 21:21 version of The Verb.... I bought the new LP for a reduced price way back.

[@johnjannuzzi9233]

Music from my teen years. Great band , Kasim , awesome bass and vox, one of my favorites.

[@barbaramuniz7271]

I was in Chicago, New Years Eve 1978, concert was cancelled due to a blizzard...Celebrated again January 5th with Todd and Utopia. He IS a Real Man. What a showman! Thank you for the memories.

[@RedDiamondProductions]

Biggest blizzard in Midwest history! 120" that year with the first storm that started on December 22, 77. I left IL that day to move to OHIO.

[@TRsUtopia]

Excellent concert, TRuly FANtastic vibe❣️👍💜🌟🔺

[@charlesmann5516]

Great Time Great Music Great Human Beings!

[@billwhite5905]

Todd , one of my biggest musical influences. I was at this awesome concert back in 78 🙂

[@davidvawter4859]

Saw this show in August 1978 at the Park West in Chicago. I still remember the table tents they had set up all around the bar promoting "Hermit of Mink Hollow." Great show by one of the last real rock stars.

[@richardliebes2538]

Was there too! In the very front, off to the right, in front of the speakers. When he shook hands with me from the stage, and our eyes met, I felt I had touched the hand of Jesus.

[@LychkovIA]

Thank you so much for sharing this video!!! I dreamed to see a full concert of Utopia from that era, between 1977 and 1980.

[@RedDiamondProductions]

I liked Utopia better in 75 when they were still a 6 piece. This was the band I fell in love with. The group were basically a collaboration between Todd and Moogy Klingman, whose Bluesy Jazz touches influenced their music (Intro/Mr. Triscuits). The concert started out with the PA loudly playing audio of the third movement from the Treatise Suite- Electric Fire (Initiation album), then Utopia broke into the Utopia theme. Now THAT was a night I'll never forget. Agora Theatre-Chicago.

[@MrRunt128]

The Agora ballroom in Atlanta is now the Georgian Terrace Hotel. I saw him with my friends at this particular concert when I was 18. I’m going to be 62 in 2 months. Let that sink in.

[@mojorisen74]

This one was filmed at the Agora in Cleveland. This is where the Utopia part of Back to the Bars was recorded

[@markcraven8386]

When Todd and Utopia played in Atlanta the venue was the Southeastern Music Hall for this tour. I had ten passes courtesy of Alex Cooley's promotions...not to mention nine ecstatic friends.

[@bikefixer]

This performance provided most of the tunes on Sides 1 and 4 of the Back to the Bars album.

[@RachelSDay1982]

I was at this concert in the front row with my camera snapping pictures. Great concert!! 😁💕

[@janetfong6800]

So many bands I wish I saw when I was younger. I would have loved this concert and probably would never stop talking about it! I'm into different.... and Utopia sure does some creative music!

[@gailflora1835]

Wow.. I was there. Whoever recorded this, thank you! Still love Todd!!!!

[@connietransference4940]

thanks mojorisen74....just saw Todd & co in Minneapolis 2 weeks ago. So appreciate this and Todd. blessings!

[@stuspaulding970]

Thank you for posting this...my wife was at this performance and therefore on the live album (hooting and hollerin'). this was 9 years before we met and 11 years before we got married...We saw him in January in Coachella proving that, after more than 40 years, Todd is still an immense talent; long may he live!

[@carolejohnson791]

Stu Spaulding YEH!! Thanks!! saw Todd & Utopia many times. Cleveland Rocks TODD!

[@RedDiamondProductions]

Todd Rundgren is one of the most prolific songwriters, only eclipsed by maybe Neil Diamond.

[@williamvanvelson3460]

OMG I was there. The original was more than a bar The Sound was awesome. Seen Utopia 6 Times Loved This band and Todd is good alone> So talented. Thank you for posting . Great music memories. Was pretty stoned too. Toll hash cookies. Ah early edibles lol

[@gavinwieland3707]

At last. A video performance of Utopia. Love this band so much.

[@walterjunovich6180]

A man and band way ahead of their time !

[@riffcrescendo1740]

Todd! A Wizard! A true Star!

[@EdwardJordanTheOriginal]

BTTB is perhaps my favorite live recording... it is fantastic to actually see the performance! It is unfortunate that video technology was so pathetically bad back in the day.....imagine it in HD

[@francesbutler693]

We were at that concert, burned a couple and enjoyed the show..

[@user-wj7vr3bp9y]

I remember watching this program on TV! WHAT A LUCKY GUY I WAS! Again, I'm a lucky guy.

[@moonbeanification]

What is it about Todd? I've been mesmerized since I first set eyes on him, way back when I was a little girl looking at a music magazine. Even before I heard his music, something about him struck me like a bolt from the blue. I just knew I would love him. Fast forward 50+ years and I'm still besotted with his brilliant mind and unforgettable music ... it feels like a call from my home planet lol. Love, love, LOVE this man for light years !!! ♥♥♥

[@bgguitarss]

For me, it's his highbrow approach to creating that most people don't get but a few lucky ones do.

[@moonbeanification]

Astute observation@@bgguitarss... I think you're right. 😊

[@jazzynet1]

i was at this concert :D

[@billschumacher8271]

I saw Todd in 75 at nelson ledges 4 of July awesome opened with star-spangled banner

[@johnk.9147]

Mojo you are the Man. Thank you for this.

[@meesalikeu]

mojo you are a golden god thanks. i saw this show on tv. todd& utopia stuck around town after this show and i saw them a couple days later at the world series of rock in old cleveland stadium. almost the same set. crazy that they went on early in afternoon for that festival gig and then left to do another show in chicago the very same night!

[@shelleychaney1741]

And legend valley saw him at 15

[@danielgettell9341]

I was at “Death Valley” damned near died of thirst

[@ittybitty6474]

Thr first time I met him. Back stage door

[@francesbutler693]

I was there and it was a great concert !!

[@mikestevens5234]

I also remember sending in money for the ticket lottery and waiting for the mail every day with my fingers crossed! I was lucky enough to get four tickets and never looked forward more to a show. Although I've seen Todd more times than I can count, this venue and proximity to the stage was magical.

[@Theweeze100]

Saw utopia in 77 I think tour. Nothing ever look the same after that. What a monstrously talented group of gentlemen!

[@susanbarry1834]

I feel so lucky that I got to see this band several times in the 70’s and 80’s. Nothing could compare to Todd Rundgren’s songwriting,lyrics and vocals. All the players were so good. It was was a magical experience to hear them perform.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Nothing could compare unless you liked say....... someone else.

[@Duddie82]

I grew up in the 80s, the only song i knew from him was "Hello, it's me". I am much older now, and really enjoyed this video. Awesome concert! My brother was older than me and he had his music. He played it all the time.

[@shelleychaney1741]

For some reason i could not go to this but channel 8 air this concert the show was call live at the agora

[@stardust2991]

Why hasn’t this been digitally remastered?? This is an important concert from the Todd Archives.

[@mojorisen74]

He has this and several other videos that could be transferred in his archives. I guess it just comes down to money, whether they'll sell or not

[@jeffmclean7784]

I saw this same show a few nights earlier at the Akron Agora. I remember the AC quit. We were all hot together.

[@bgguitarss]

I would have loved to have been there.

[@LychkovIA]

What a concert! I wish it was on DVD in a better quality, but this still is one of the most fantastic videos in the world. I love the version of The Seven Rays here. On 37:45 Roger plays such a note, and in the same moment Todd does that turning around... If I was in the audience, I would most probably faint.

[@meesalikeu]

Ivan Lychkov seven rays here is probably thee greatest live utopia ever. badazz.

[@motnosniv]

what a treat to have willie up front playing bass and todd on drums

[@daynahughes5859]

Wow!! Just now seeing this and what great memories and music. Thanks for capturing me and friends in the audience. Those were my white sunglasses!!!

[@mayocredle7516]

Yes its great to have videos that match back to the bars Todd's best work

[@boatsonsand]

And 3 days later. . . I saw him at the Aug 26, '78 World Series of Rock Concert at the Cleveland Stadium, summer after my junior year of college in Ohio. He and Utopia were a last minute addition. The original date was the first week of Aug, the 6th I believe. But J Geils bowed out(thank the stars for that! I loathed them), and Utopia slid in since they were in Cleveland already. I was able to see Utopia on 2 other occasions: Deface the Music tour in 1980 in Columbus, Oh, and in '75-ish in Toledo. Other bands performing were at the World Series Rock Concert were Eddie Money, The Cars, Bob Welch, and Fleetwood Mac, who were on the last legs of their Rumours touring. I went to primarily to see the Mac, and this was my first time seeing them, with 8 more to follow on every tour except Tango in the Night(no Lindsey Buckingham) up through Say You Will in '04. The Cars were actually greeted with some mild distaste and some boos from the crowd. They were on their first tour, and Cleveland was not ready for them at all. Eddie was true to form great. Unfortunately, I have no real memory of Utopia at the Rock Concert, nor of the Mac. 😕Rock On

[@denisemiller5654]

Wish I could've been there...I wasn't 21 at the time though. Of course that didn't stop some of my friends!

[@thebreathalyzer]

That performance of Initiation was SMOKING. Whew.

[@TomFredericks187]

The best.

[@CenterTownBoy]

If I had a time machine, I would be at this concert. I was born in the WRONG era.

[@RedDiamondProductions]

Concerts used to be about the music, but now its a show and Todd Rundgren pioneered that with the RA tour in 77.

[@meesalikeu]

too bad the video is skeevy because it might just be thee best pop rock concert of all time. i believe the director has a fresh copy - maybe someday todd who has moved on and forgotten about this era will hook back up with him or his family and officially release it.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

Same. I went to his concert in Grand Rapids last November and it was great, but I would have loved to see him live in the 70s when he was young. At least it was videotaped for us to see in 2021.

[@oregonpatriot1570]

He was the first concert I ever went to to. $4.50 ticket price. Half the auditorium walked out when he came on, jumping around the stage in his leotard outfit. I felt robbed of $4.50.

[@veronicawagner3074]

My brother was a bouncer at this establishment when this was taped.

[@jndrummer5131]

Thanks for this great Back To The Bars concert! I almost paid an arm and a leg for the cd!

[@freespiritsuzy]

OMG, what a find! ❤❤❤

[@jazzynet1]

Oh yes!

[@joeybringle8398]

BTTB what a great era of Todd . I love this! Thanks for sharing it. :-)

[@todd-ut9sj]

紙ジャケットのライブ版CDを持ってますが、それと同時期くらいのライブでしょうね。映像つきで聴けて嬉しい。最高にかっこいい。感謝😭

[@lauravonier5833]

was there!!

[@wesleyclark8586]

The word genius gets thrown out a lot

[@morbidmanmusic]

Were you meaning to finish a thought?

[@chuckbunnell8625]

I was there!!!

[@tabathastaples7884]

Shepherd's Chapel Network !!!!!!! Pastor Murray is an Anointed Servant of GOD who teaches the Word of GOD with Authority!!!!!!!

[@wesleyclark8586]

It's a writing already so damn emotional

[@KylesDigitalLab]

I'm assuming this recorded on 1 inch Type C open-reel video tape, and most likely shot on a 3-tube Plumbicon camera, probably an RCA TK-series studio camera. I'd love to see modern digital transfers of the master videotapes, I'm sure it will looking amazing for 1978. As you mentioned this a VHS dub that suffers from generation loss. Still watchable though so thanks for uploading this.

[@seniormastersergeantchilds4053]

Has Todd made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Don't ya'll think he deserves it? I for one do!

[@kevinmcfarland8305]

Yes !!!!!

[@danielgettell9341]

Not in yet but deserves to be. Come on notorious big just got in . Gimme a break

[@davidcooper9952]

Back To The Bars

[@pamjarrett-s9s]

Was this at the Agora Ballroom in Atlanta! I saw him there, but I know there were a few Angora Ballrooms. The one it Atlanta was called Alex Cooleys Electric Ballroom.

[@mojorisen74]

The Agora In Cleveland Ohio

[@jujumulligan43]

I worked there during this time as a bartender. Yes agora of Atlanta!

[@pamjarrett-s9s]

@@jujumulligan43 that was the greatest place ever to see a band! So many Artist before they were big! I remember Eddie Money, Aerosmith, and so many more. I bet you loved it!

[@markcraven8386]

​@@pamjarrett-s9sTwo most memorable shows from the Ballroom for me were Ted Nugent and years later Kansas. Great venue.

[@cazgerald9471]

Saw Utopia around this time at the Roxy on Sunset.

[@drewb7262]

Just one victory was omitted from Back to the bars, but I had the feel it had to be there, good to know about this video, I was right!.

[@bigbrotherisasob]

Todd' has a son who lives in a suburb of the Cleveland area. Todd's rolls in every so often. He's a normal guy, likes to have a few beers, barbeque, etc. Not kidding.

[@daveziegner]

Great version of "Death of Rock and Roll." I don't remember Kasim singing this in '76 and '77. He did a great job.

[@morbidmanmusic]

One of the rare shows, where he didn't butcher every solo. In these cases, he is the best.

[@wsrain1]

18 and I was there.

[@suelipscomb7989]

I am in there somewhere!

[@maxflower13]

me too !

[@maxflower13]

i was only 19 , but Ohio was an 18 state then

[@gudatine]

Thank you Jonathan !!

[@JUUIGDWEZX]

I went to this concert with Laura Krause

[@MHowell1978]

I listen to "Back to the Bars" about once a week because I love it so much. So glad to see this show here! Thanks! Do you know what the source for the video was? Did they broadcast this performance, or was the video recording intended for release? Just curious. What I care most about is that I get to watch this! :)

[@TheGB1950]

Thanks for this...

[@pippotones]

Todd is the real UNESCU patrimony.....

[@389383]

Prog-rock songs like 7 Rays are always the best time to head to the refreshment stand or bathroom; you always know they will be long.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Most people think the opposite.

[@389383]

@@morbidmanmusic No, most people want to hear songs and not endless noodling.

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Tell me, what else is there worth listening to besides Todd and Utopia? Merely a few. This is music at a higher level. Thank you.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Genesis, Chet baker, Elvis, Beatles, queen, Harry Nilsson, Me, Bach, Mozart, Chopin... should I go on, or can you think of some more now?

[@jimbrussobigtimecavaliersf6371]

what can you say....they don't make them like that anymore

[@morbidmanmusic]

All these "they" and "thems". Just stop already,

[@davidcooper9952]

Cleveland Agora in 1978 was on east 24th st. There was a recording studio upstairs. Always wondered if they did a studio mix for the simulcast. If this is sitting in a can somewhere please release it!

[@saltybildo9448]

Cleveland stadium waa always good too

[@saltybildo9448]

Bass player playin guitar real man

[@kevinmcfarland8305]

Hello it's 2020 Why is Todd not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame !!!! its a joke

[@mojorisen74]

Because he doesn't want to be and has made it very clear

[@kevinmcfarland8305]

@@mojorisen74 I hope he's ok with being in my personal hall of fame lol

[@johndoran1754]

Damn I'm old Now.

[@jamiewesson898]

peaked about 76 but still worthy

[@marilynbaird6770]

yeah, no

[@morbidmanmusic]

You realize that is just your poor opinion, .. right?

[@davidcooper9952]

I know portions of this performance ended up on the LP.