Time To Vote Todd Into The Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame!
Just voted again, and Todd continues to get votes, closing the gap between him and Stevie Nicks…regardless of where he ends up, this is a great show of support by fans.
You can click here and vote once a day until Dec. 9th!
Let’s all step up and vote Todd in! Why? Well, because he has a slew of classic albums, and so many other Artists have been inspired by him…here’s a look at some:
A Classic “Hello It’s Me” Cover!
I found two of the most beautiful – and different – cover versions of Todd Rundgren’s classic “Hello It’s Me” by accident – because I was wearing my “Evening With…” shirt!
I was in a Chicago Whole Foods, wearing my Todd concert long sleeve proudly. A twenty-something African-American man who was working the meat counter complimented me on my attire, and said:
“You know Erykah Badu? She covered a couple of his songs.”
“He’s a terrific songwriter,” I replied.
“Yeah” he told me, “and that “Zen Archer” album –
“A Wizard A True Star?”
“Yeah, that was wild!”
It was so random and unexpected, but it led me to two of the most beautiful cover versions of “Hello It’s Me!” that I had never heard – and can you believe he referenced “AWATS” too!
“AWATS” Inspiration!
Once again, you meet fans from so many different walks of life – I have also posted about the influence that “A Wizard A True Star” has had on so many musical Artists:
Articles like this one in England’s MOJO magazine tell stores of Artists who used Todd’s brilliant album as inspiration…you can read all about it here:
The young fan’s comment about Erykah Badu led me to this amazing “cover” version of Todd’s classic “Hello It’s Me”:
Andre 3000 joined Erykah Badu for “Hello” off her mixtape “But You Caint Use My Phone.” The collaboration came about thanks in part to their son, Seven.
First, let’s listen to this great song, which kicks into Todd’s classic song at 2:27 into the song:
Here’s wikipedia’s description of how this collaboration came about:
“Our son Seven and I were trying to figure out songs that could help her — songs that were related to the subject of the mixtape: phones,” the OutKast MC told Billboard. “We came across [The Isley Brothers’ 1974 cover of Todd Rundgren’s] ‘Hello, It’s Me.’ Ron Isley repeats the phrase ‘hello, hello’ as if he was answering the phone. I told Erykah, ‘You should make this into a new song and get somebody to rap on it.’ She was like, ‘Well, you should rap on it!’ I’m happy it happened. It was a great reunion, because I don’t think people have heard a song from us in ages.”
As mentioned in the quote, the “extended ‘Hello, Hello, Hello’ sequence leads to a gorgeous soulful cover version by The Isley Brothers.
I’ve always loved the Isley Brothers, but didn’t know this song, which kicks into Todd’s “cover” about forty seconds in…and I love the “hello, hello” intro that Erykah used later…
Here is their beautiful cover version:
I think this is a terrifically soulful version of Todd’s song, which was of course originally recorded with NAZZ, then included in a great “live” version on his brilliant album “Something/Anything?”
Rolling Stone has called this one of the five hundred greatest albums of all time…see some of the great music videos from that album here:
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johnrieber 
Very nice and different cover. You have turned me on to a new artist.
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It goes to the impact he has had on so many Artists, in so many genres!
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I may not be a super-fan of Todd like you, John. But i do have a few Erykah Badu albums. Love her voice, and her African style too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, it’s a terrific cover version – actually of The Isley Brothers cover version!
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