The National Times - Todd Rundgren Brings 'Damned If I Do' Tour to Phoenix's Celebrity Theatre

Rock musician Todd Rundgren is scheduled to perform at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Thursday, November 12, continuing his Damned If I Do tour. The multi-instrumentalist, recognized for his extensive career as a solo artist and producer, will present a set that draws from decades of musical output.

Rundgren’s reputation in the music industry rests on his technical proficiency across multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and saxophone. He is widely known to general audiences for songs such as “Hello, It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light,” and “Bang the Drum All Day.” However, his influence extends significantly beyond these popular tracks into production and songwriting for other artists.

Following the commercial success of his 1972 double album “Something/Anything?,” Rundgren shifted his focus toward more experimental work. The following year, he released “A Wizard, a True Star,” an album in which he played nearly all instruments, handled lead and backing vocals, and managed production and engineering duties. This period coincided with his experimentation with psychedelic substances, including DMT, mescaline, and magic mushrooms.

By the early 1970s, before turning 25, Rundgren had already established himself as an accomplished producer. He utilized his skills to help other artists create hit albums, financing projects that labels declined to support. Notable productions include Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell,” which he helped finance after no label wanted it; the Psychedelic Furs’ breakthrough album “Forever Now”; and XTC’s “Skylarking.”

Rundgren’s relationship with The Beatles has been a subject of public discussion. In a 1974 interview, he criticized John Lennon for what he perceived as hypocrisy regarding political revolution. This led to a public dispute that was later resolved after Lennon contacted Rundgren to suggest the press was exploiting the feud. In 1980, Rundgren’s group Utopia released “Deface the Music,” an album parodying Beatles-style music. Rundgren stated this project was initiated after a Beatles-style song was rejected for the “Roadie” soundtrack due to litigation fears, prompting the decision to create an entire album in that style.

In 2021, Rundgren was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, approximately 25 years after becoming eligible. He declined to attend the ceremony, stating in interviews that he had little interest in the institution and that it was more important to his fans than to himself.

Recent performances on the current tour have drawn positive reactions from attendees. Kelly McNulty, a concertgoer who saw Rundgren perform in Tucson, described the show as “weird and wonderful.” Gene Espinoza, a sound technician, characterized the performance as “astounding,” noting the high level of energy and emotion. Espinoza reported that the venue was full and that Rundgren engaged the audience throughout the set, performing classic tracks alongside newer material.

The Phoenix concert is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. Tickets are available through the Celebrity Theatre website.

T.Hancock--TNT