Photo: Michael Borkson / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Todd Rundgren is probably best known for his solo hits “Hello It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light” and “Bang the Drum All Day,” in addition to his production work for other artists (perhaps most notably Meat Loaf’s diamond-selling Bat Out of Hell). In 1974 he launched Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, a progressive rock project featuring a collective of varying musicians. He reintroduced Utopia in 1977 with the album Ra, this time altering the dynamic to a streamlined four-piece band, which also included bassist Kasim Sulton, keyboardist Roger Powell and drummer John “Willie” Wilcox. Although still sometimes referred to as “Todd Rundgren’s Utopia” (and Todd Rundgren remaining the highest-profile member), for the next eight years the band seemed to be comprised of four equal parts, with each musician receiving writing credits and singing lead on different songs.
The album Ra was also varied in its sound: some tracks still leaned towards the concept’s prog roots, but the song “Jealousy” could’ve been considered punk at the time. The line-up continued that move towards straight-ahead rock and pop with their next release Oops! Wrong Planet. Late-in-the-game hippie anthem “Love is the Answer” even became a Top 10 hit… two years later for soft rock duo England Dan & John Ford Coley (oops, wrong artist). Utopia’s sole appearance in the US Top 40 came with “Set Me Free” from Adventures in Utopia (1979), which was also their highest-charting album.
Utopia managed a noticeable presence on MTV during the network’s earliest days, which the band basically achieved just by being there when they opened the doors, having already made a handful of videos in time for the period when MTV pretty much aired whatever was handy. Lest anyone think they were veering too close to the predictable, Utopia released the Deface the Music, a tongue-in-cheek (we imagine) album of songs each of which was an obvious knock-off of a specific Beatles track (eat your heart out, Rutles).
In 1982 Utopia released two studio LPs, Swing to the Right (which features probably the most punk cover artwork ever for a non-punk album) and one self-titled. The latter was bit of an odd duck for three reasons: 1) It was a three-sided double LP (side four was the third side repeated); 2) It represented the only burp in the band’s line-up during this period, as Sulton was briefly replaced by bassist and vocalist Doug Howard (both ended up contributing); and 3) It was their only release on the label Network, resulting in rights issues which later made the album scarce for many years (ironically, it was their next album which would be titled Oblivion ).
On the cover of their 1985 release POV, the band members appear as military strategists (from an indeterminate alliance) carefully plotting some manner of attack. There was probably just as much concise planning behind the record itself, between the slick graphics and radio-friendly sound. Regardless, POV ended up as the band’s lowest-charting album and would become their final full-length studio release. An attempt in 1992 to pick up where they left off was unsuccessful, and Todd Rundgren would later reuse the name for various projects which he fronted. However, three-quarters of Utopia’s classic four-piece line-up (with keyboardist Gil Assayas replacing Powell) reassembled for a 2018 tour (which included an amazing show at the Town Hall in New York City).
Utopia’s one actual hit is barely remembered, and the band tragically has very little presence on any sort of nostalgia radio format. However, this means that in picking Utopia’s Top 10 songs, we’re starting out with basically a level playing field. These ten gems only represent a small part of the band’s incredible body of work, and it’s certainly not too late for the masses to discover their Utopia.
# 10 – Fix Your Gaze
One of the last new tracks released during the band’s original period of existence, this straightforward and tight song based around a series of simple three-chord riffs and a killer bass line could – and should – easily have been a radio hit (certainly on AOR). Instead, it’s been relegated to deep deep cut status, surfacing almost randomly on various best-of collections and reissues of Oblivion or P.O.V.
# 9 – Feet Don’t Fail Me Now
One of the few Utopia tracks to be co-written by- and feature one-time bassist Doug Howard, this bouncy novelty song hides a deeper sadness in the lyrics, in which a chorus (i.e. a group of people singing together) tries to convince the protagonist that his lover has moved on, which he responds to by stating that he’s trying desperately to do the same but just can’t bring himself to (if all this isn’t enough, the video features the band members dressed up as eight-legged bugs).
# 8 – Welcome to My Revolution
Todd Rundgren takes lead vocals for this arty rocker from the band’s Oblivion album, a “too-much-information” protest anthem for the often confusing era that was the early Eighties (Def Leppard would later seemingly quote this song – plus the album title – in their 1999 track “Kings of Oblivion”).
# 7 – Magic Dragon Theater
While Utopia would later do a whole album of original songs paying tribute to The Beatles, this track from Ra shows that they had already embraced the sound of the Fab Four, particularly the approximate era of Magical Mystery Tour. The cut even includes a brief spoken work section featuring several different “characters,” one of whom sounds frighteningly like Beavis of and Butt-Head fame (though it’s obviously just a coincidence, since Beavis creator/voice actor Mike Judge was in high school at the time).
# 6 – Abandon City
This jazz-funk flavored musical counterpoint from Oops! Wrong Planet featuring Powell on lead vocals also serves as a cautionary tale of a decaying berg (not specifically identified, but everyone probably has their own guess) which is too quickly becoming uninhabitable (“You better run for your lives”).
# 5 – Crybaby
Rundgren at the helm once again for this solid and to-the-point rocker which features a new wavy synth opening and employs a soft-then-loud-then-back vocal approach which would later be used by Nirvana and others (there’s also the elaborate video, which re-imagines this fairly standard breakup song as a post-apocalyptic epic in which authoritative roles have shifted).
# 4 – You Make Me Crazy
Though never really considered part of it, Utopia was fully on board with the new wave movement at the dawn of the Eighties, as proven by this track featuring lead vocals by drummer John “Willie” Wilcox, which would be right at home alongside hits by groups like The Cars, Devo and The Tubes. “Crazy” also features a great synth bridge along with a cryptic WTF lyric: “I heard a knock on the door/But it was only Harry Jones” (we have no idea who – or what – Harry Jones is, and Google is no help).
# 3 – Last of the New Wave Riders
Even though the title mentions a very different rock genre, this is unquestionably a heavy metal song, replete with the monster guitar riff, atmosphere production and appropriate lyrical imagery (“… and the whole universe is a giant guitar”). It’s hard to imagine why this song has never been covered by Kiss or another band of that ilk.
# 2 – Caravan
Keyboardist Roger Powell takes lead vocals for this ethereal but hard-rocking cut inspired by biblical imagery which proves that song can be straightforward and epic at the same time.
# 1 – One World
Sounding kind of like simplified Springsteen (complete with a handclap break), this rocker from the band’s Swing to the Right album offers a message of unity between all manner of common people (“Politicians and dictators and the guys with the dough/They think they run the world, but they just don’t know/’Cause down here on the street we got it under control”) that’s even more relevant today than it was in 1982.
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
