Utopia (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Todd Rundgren |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Rock and pop music albums, live performances |
Utopia was a rock band from the United States, established in 1973 by Todd Rundgren. Originally called Todd Rundgren's Utopia, the group began as a progressive rock outfit with a changing roster, including musicians who also appeared on Rundgren's solo projects through 1975. By 1976, the ensemble had solidified into a four-member band—Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Roger Powell, and John "Willie" Wilcox—and transitioned toward a more mainstream rock and pop sound.
In 1980, Utopia achieved a top 40 single with "Set Me Free," penned and performed vocally by Sulton, underscoring the band's collective approach to songwriting and production. Although frequently perceived as Rundgren's personal venture, creative input was shared among all members. The group dissolved in 1986 but briefly regrouped in 1992. The original progressive rock lineup reunited for live performances under Todd Rundgren's Utopia name in 2011, and in 2018 Rundgren, Sulton, and Wilcox toured with keyboardist Gil Assayas using the same moniker.
Todd Rundgren's Utopia
The term Utopia appeared on Rundgren’s 1973 album A Wizard, a True Star with the lyric "Wait another year, Utopia is here."
During 1973–74, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia featured Rundgren alongside Hunt and Tony Fox Sales, David Mason (a Florida-based musician), and Jean-Yves Labat ("M. Frog"), who shifted from rhythm guitar to synthesizers. Before recording their debut album, the Sales brothers left and were replaced by percussionist Kevin Ellman and bassist John Siegler.
Their first two releases—Todd Rundgren's Utopia (1974) and Another Live (1975)—showcased intricate progressive rock pieces performed by a six-member lineup: Rundgren (guitar/vocals), Ellman (drums/percussion), Siegler (bass/cello), Mark "Moogy" Klingman (keyboards), Labat (synthesizers), and Ralph Schuckett (keyboards). Klingman and Siegler had previously worked with Rundgren on his early solo albums; Labat had released his own solo record featuring Rundgren. Ellman made his debut on Rundgren’s Todd.
The debut album comprised four tracks totaling nearly an hour, opening with the live-recorded "Utopia Theme" and concluding with the extensive conceptual piece "The Ikon," which exceeded thirty minutes. Soon after completing this album, Labat departed. The remaining five-piece, referred to by Rundgren as the "Rhythm Kings," recorded "Real Man," which later appeared on his 1975 album Initiation. Synthesizer specialist Roger Powell then joined, restoring the six-member formation. Ellman left to focus on family business interests and was succeeded by drummer John "Willie" Wilcox, formerly part of Hall & Oates, whom Rundgren had produced.
The live album Another Live (1975) introduced Powell and Wilcox to listeners and featured extended progressive compositions not previously available as studio recordings. It also included covers such as "Something's Coming" from West Side Story and Jeff Lynne’s "Do Ya," illustrating mutual influences between Utopia and other artists. Following these sessions, Schuckett and Klingman exited the band, leaving Powell as the sole keyboard player.
On October 9, 1975, the lineup consisting of Rundgren, Siegler, Powell, and Wilcox performed their inaugural UK concert at London's Hammersmith Odeon, supported vocally by future soul icon Luther Vandross and Anthony Hinton. This show was recorded by the BBC for broadcast purposes and was later officially released.
In 1976, this quartet recorded an instrumental album entitled Disco Jets, which included a disco-style version of the Star Trek theme alongside original compositions. Bearsville Records declined to issue it at that time; it remained unreleased until it surfaced in 2001 as part of a rarities collection and was issued separately in 2012. That same year, this lineup also contributed to Rundgren’s solo album Faithful. Shortly after these recordings, Siegler left the band.
Siegler, Schuckett, and Klingman participated in live performances documented on Rundgren’s 1978 double LP Back to the Bars.
Utopia
By the middle of 1976, the group had adopted the name Utopia and solidified a four-member lineup consisting of Rundgren (guitar, vocals), Kasim Sulton (bass, vocals), Roger Powell (keyboards, vocals), and Willie Wilcox (drums, vocals). Each member played a role in songwriting, vocal performances, production, and engineering duties.
Their first album, Ra (1977), blended progressive rock elements with electronic sounds while incorporating shorter tracks that were more approachable. Later releases transitioned toward tighter, pop-driven compositions influenced by the emerging new wave movement.
The 1977 album Oops! Wrong Planet leaned more heavily into pop styles; its song "Love Is the Answer" became a regular feature in their live shows and was later covered by England Dan & John Ford Coley, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart—though Utopia’s original did not chart.
Utopia’s sole entry into the Billboard top 40 was "Set Me Free" from their highest-selling record Adventures in Utopia (1979), which climbed to No. 27 in early 1980. That same year’s Deface the Music offered a Beatles-inspired pastiche that garnered some critical acclaim but ultimately hindered the band’s commercial progress.
In August 1979, Utopia appeared at England’s Knebworth Festival, billed as Todd Rundgren and Utopia, sharing the stage with headliners Led Zeppelin.
Throughout the 1980s, Utopia preserved a devoted fan base through album releases, tours, and music videos aired on MTV. Notable tracks included "Caravan," "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" (co-written by bassist Doug Howard during Sulton’s temporary absence in 1982), and "Love In Action." The Swing to the Right (1982) album featured politically charged satire and produced the Canadian top 40 single "One World," though it primarily fulfilled their contract with Bearsville Records after the label ceased active support.
During this era, Sulton briefly departed and was substituted by Doug Howard; following a contract with Network Records (distributed by Elektra Records), Sulton returned while Howard exited.
Their first release on Network was the self-titled Utopia (1982), which included an LP plus an additional EP and was accompanied by a video album. However, after Elektra/Asylum merged operations, Network Records lost its distribution deal and folded, leaving Utopia without label backing. Subsequently, they secured a three-album agreement with Passport Records, a subsidiary of Jem Records.
The final Passport releases—Oblivion (1984) and POV (1985)—failed to achieve commercial success or critical enthusiasm, partly due to Passport’s own collapse. After issuing the compilation Trivia in 1986—which compiled selections from their last three albums along with two new tracks—Utopia disbanded.
Following Utopia’s dissolution, Rundgren continued his flourishing solo career; other members pursued modest individual projects. Powell toured with David Bowie for the live album Stage, had been mentored by Robert Moog, and released the well-regarded solo effort Air Pocket. Wilcox contributed to Rundgren-produced recordings, toured with Hall and Oates, worked as senior composer and sound designer for NBC Universal Television from 1999 to 2005, penned the No. 1 dance hit "We Connect" for Stacey Q, and remains active composing for various media and artists. Sulton issued a solo album in 1982 featuring the Canadian top 40 hit "Don't Break My Heart" and has toured as band leader for Meat Loaf while performing alongside Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Scandal, Hall and Oates, Blue Öyster Cult, among others.
Reunions
Although Utopia officially ceased activities in 1986, the group briefly came back together in 1992 to release the album Redux '92: Live in Japan. After failing to find a new record label, they disbanded for good. The members continued to collaborate with Rundgren individually. In 2005, Rundgren and Sulton launched The New Cars, but when Elliot Easton suffered a clavicle injury that stopped touring, Sulton joined forces with Meat Loaf and Rundgren to support the album Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose.
In 2009, Rundgren, Powell, and Sulton reunited on stage for the live debut of Rundgren's A Wizard, a True Star. Due to health complications, Powell was unable to participate in the extended tour and was replaced by original member Ralph Schuckett, preserving the musical ties among former bandmates.
On January 29–30, 2011, the majority of the 1974 Utopia Mark II lineup—Rundgren, Moogy Klingman, Schuckett, Siegler, and Ellman—performed at New York City's Highline Ballroom in a benefit concert supporting Klingman's cancer treatment. Jesse Gress and long-time member Kasim Sulton joined for select songs. This marked their first joint performance in over three decades.
Later that year, in November 2011, the group toured under the name "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" featuring the same core lineup along with Gress and Sulton. Moogy Klingman passed away on November 15, 2011.
A comprehensive 4-CD and 2-DVD box set titled "Live From Peekskill and New York City, Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Benefit for Moogy Klingman" was issued by Purple Pyramid Records in 2020. It contains full recordings from both the January and November 2011 concerts.
Towards the end of 2017, Kasim Sulton formed a tribute band called Kasim Sulton's Utopia including Gress, Wade Preston, Christopher Clark, and Andy Ascolese; this ensemble began touring in February 2018.
In February 2018, it was announced that Utopia would embark on a spring tour as "Todd Rundgren's Utopia," featuring Rundgren, Sulton, Wilcox, and Schuckett. However, Schuckett later withdrew due to health reasons and auditions were conducted to find his replacement. Following a recommendation from one of Rundgren’s sons, Gil Assayas was selected as keyboardist.
The band performed at Chicago Theater in May 2018; this concert was recorded and subsequently released in April 2019 as a four-disc set (DVD/Blu-ray plus two audio CDs), highlighting Assayas on keyboards.
Ralph Schuckett died on April 7, 2021, after stepping down from the 2018 reunion tour because of health issues. Guitarist Jesse Gress passed away in 2023 at age 67.
Members
- Todd Rundgren – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals (1973–1986, 1992, 2011, 2018)
- – synthesizers, rhythm guitar (1973–1974)
- David Mason – keyboards (1973; died 2013)
- Hunt Sales – drums, percussion (1973)
- Tony Sales – bass, backing vocals (1973)
- Mark "Moogy" Klingman – organ, keyboards, backing vocals, synthesizers (1973–1975, 2011; died 2011)
- Ralph Schuckett – keyboards, synthesizers, organ, backing and occasional lead vocals (1973–1975, 2009, 2011, 2018; died 2021)
- Kevin Ellman – drums, percussion (1973–1975, 2011–2018)
- John Siegler – bass, cello, rhythm guitar, vocals (1973–1976, 2011)
- Roger Powell – synthesizers, keyboards, backing and lead vocals; occasional trumpet and rhythm guitar (1975–1986, 1992, 2009)
- John "Willie" Wilcox – drums, percussion; backing and lead vocals (1975–1986, 1992, 2011, 2018)
- Kasim Sulton – bass; lead and backing vocals; synthesizers (1976–1982, 1982–1986, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2018)
- Doug Howard – bass; backing vocals (1982)
- Prairie Prince – drums; percussion (2009)
- Jesse Gress – backing vocals; rhythm guitar (2011; died 2023)
- Gil Assayas – synthesizers; keyboards; backing vocals (2018)
Lineup timeline
| Years | Lineup | Albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 |
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| 1973–1975 |
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| 1975 |
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| 1975–1976 |
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| 1976–1982 |
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| 1982 |
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| 1982–1986 |
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| 1986–1992 |
Group inactive during this period. |
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| 1992 |
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| 2009 | Unexpected reunion featuring seven shows as opening act for the A Wizard, a True Star Live performances
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| 2011 |
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| 2018 |
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Discography
The body of work by the American progressive rock ensemble Utopia includes ten studio albums, four live recordings, four compilation albums, and three singles that appeared on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Chart rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
CA |
UK | ||
| 1974 | Todd Rundgren's Utopia
|
34 | 28 | – |
| 1976 (Unissued) |
Disco Jets
|
– | – | – |
| 1977 | Ra
|
79 | – | 27 |
Oops! Wrong Planet
|
73 | 66 | 59 | |
| 1979 | Adventures in Utopia
|
32 | 84 | 57 |
| 1980 | Deface the Music
|
65 | – | – |
| 1982 | Swing to the Right
|
102 | – | – |
Utopia
|
84 | – | – | |
| 1984 | Oblivion
|
74 | 94 | – |
| 1985 | P.O.V.
|
161 | – | – |
Live albums
- Another Live (Bearsville, Warner Bros., 1975) US peak position No. 66
- Redux '92: Live in Japan (BMG, released in 1992)
- Official Bootleg, Vol. 9: Oblivion Tour (Nippon Crown, issued in 2001)
- Bootleg Series, Vol. 2: KSAN 95FM, Live '79 (Sanctuary, released in 2002)
- Live At Hammersmith Odeon '75 (Shout! Factory, released in 2012)
- Live at the Chicago Theater (Cleopatra, released in 2019)
- Live From Peekskill and New York City, Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Benefit for Moogy Klingman (Recorded January and November of 2011; published by Purple Pyramid Records in February of 2020)
Compilation albums
- Trivia (Passport Records, issued in 1986)
- The Collection (Castle Records, released in 1988)
- Anthology (1974-1985) (released in 1989)
- Oblivion, POV & Some Trivia (Rhino Records, issued in 1996)
- City in My Head (Essential Records, published in 1999)
- Todd Rundgren vs Utopia (Castle Music, released in 2001)
Singles
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 Ranking | US Mainstream Rock Ranking | CAN Ranking | Album association | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | "Communion with the Sun" | – | – | – | Ra | |
| "Love Is the Answer" | – | – | – | Oops! Wrong Planet | ||
| 1980 | "Set Me Free" | 27 | – | 55 | Adventures in Utopia | |
| "The Very Last Time" | 76 | – | ||||
| "Second Nature" | – | – | – | |||
| "I Just Want to Touch You" | – | – | – | Deface the Music | ||
| 1982 | "One World" | – | – | 34 | Swing to the Right | |
| "Lysistrata" | – | – | – | |||
| "Hammer in My Heart" | – | 31 | – | Utopia | ||
| 1983 | "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" | 82 | – | – | ||
| 1984 | "Crybaby" | – | 30 | – | Oblivion | |
| "Love with a Thinker" | – | – | – | |||
| 1985 | "Mated" | 'P.O.V.' |
Music videos
- Magic Dragon Theatre (1977)
- Set Me Free (1980)
- You Make Me Crazy (1980)
- Rock Love (1980)
- I Just Want to Touch You (1980)
- Feet Don't Fail Me Now (1982)
- Hammer in My Heart (1982)
- Crybaby (1984)