TODD RUNDGREN'S UTOPIA REUNITE MAY 17 AT THE FILLMORE!

Todd Rundgren's Utopia Reunite!

Reuniting for First North American Tour in 32 years - Releasing Limited Edition “The Road To Utopia” Box Set

FOR 32 YEARS, FANS HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR A REUNION - The wait is over.

No longer able to turn a deaf ear to the unceasing requests from fans and the media alike, Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Willie Wilcox and Ralph Schuckett are reuniting for their first North American tour since the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded. Presented by Sirius XM and produced by Live Nation, TODD RUNDGREN’S UTOPIA will be performing across North America beginning on April 18.

The Road To Utopia-The Complete Recordings 1974-82

 (Original Recording Masters/Limited Edition)

In celebration of the upcoming reunion tour, Friday Music will be releasing a 7-disc box set, THE ROAD TO UTOPIA: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS (1974-82). This limited edition collection will bring each of their seven classic albums to life, now in first-time CD digipak gatefold covers featuring the original album artwork elements, rare inner sleeve art, newly written commentary from the band, and more. The box set has a scheduled street date of April 20. Fans can pre-order now at Friday Music, Amazon and Record Store Day.

Todd Rundgren’s Utopia was formed in 1974 out of Todd’s desire to explore new musical territory. Starting as a prog-rock-progenitor septet the band’s music ranged from extended synth experiments to four-song albums, while their live shows were distinguished by their ahead-of-the-curve video backdrops and computer-generated music.

In 1976 the band evolved into “Utopia”, the shiny mainstream power-pop rock quartet, uniting Todd Rundgren on guitar, Willie Wilcox on drums, Roger Powell on keyboards, and Kasim Sulton on bass. Known for their hallmark lyrics, lush inventive background vocals and a voracious appetite for the highest level of musicianship. Utopia became known as the quintessential “musician’s band”. Every member took his turn singing lead on every album, and all songwriting was collaborative.

By 1980, Utopia had developed into a hit-making entity in its own right. Standout Utopia albums included Oops! Wrong Planet, Adventures in Utopia, and Oblivion, spawning hits including “Rock Love,” “Set Me Free,” “Mated,” and “Love Is The Answer”, which also became a global #1 for England Dan and John Ford Coley.

Utopia’s tours, among the first to aggressively incorporate then-state-of-the-art video technology, produced at Todd’s groundbreaking Utopia Video Studios, featured some of the most lavish and audacious stage productions in rock history.

Their headline concerts frequently featured opening acts as future superstars Cheap Trick and The Cars, and the band performed at some of the 70’s most epic rock festivals, including Knebworth Castle in the UK --- once with the Rolling Stones in 1976 and twice with Led Zeppelin in 1979, before a combined audience of over 1,200,000 (amongst them a Who’s Who of rock royalty, including Paul McCartney and David Gilmour) .

Always on the bleeding edge, Utopia chalked up a long history of groundbreaking media “firsts”, including:

• 1978: The first interactive television concert, broadcast live over Warner/QUBE, the experimental interactive cable system in Columbus, Ohio (the home television audience chose each song in real time during the concert by voting via QUBE’s 2-way operating system).
• 1978: The first live nationally broadcast stereo radio rock concert (via microwave), linking 40 cities around the country.
• 1982: The first live national cablecast of a rock concert (on the USA Network), simulcast in stereo to over 120 radio stations.
In 1986, after ten years of non-stop recording and arena touring cycles, the band declared they were “going on sabbatical”, and Todd, Willie, Roger and Kas each embarked on their own career paths.

What’s been happening with the Utopians during the world’s longest ever sabbatical?

Todd Rundgren returned to his stellar solo recording and producing career. His myriad production projects ranged from Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, XTC, and Psychedelic Furs to Grand Funk Railroad, Hall & Oates, and Meat Loaf’s seminal Bat Out Of Hell, while his solo offerings catapulted Todd further into the superstar limelight with hits like “Can We Still be Friends”, and “Bang The Drum”; in addition to his own tours, Todd has been an erstwhile member of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band for the past 28 years.

Kasim Sulton continued touring and recording with a long list of diverse artists including Joan Jett, Hall & Oates, Blue Oyster Cult, Patti Smith, Celine Dion, and Meat Loaf.

In 1993 Kasim joined Meat Loaf’s live band after the release of Bat Out Of Hell II, touring extensively and becoming his Musical Director. In 1999 he produced Meat Loaf’s critically acclaimed VH1 Storytellers album. Releasing four solo albums of his own, Kasim has continued his long musical relationship with Todd as the bass player in his solo bands.

Willie Wilcox continued to pursue his songwriting career. Having written songs for & performed with Luther Vandross, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Meat Loaf, Hall & Oates, and Kylie Minogue positioned Willie perfectly for his segue into television writing.

He was the senior staff composer for NBC Universal in NY for 5 years and composed the current show theme for CNBC’s “Mad Money,” launched a major audio post production facility in Miami with clients MTV & VH1, penned famed boxer Manny Pacquiao’s ring walk music, and continues to maintain his position as senior audio director at Scientific Games, the number one gaming company in the world, where he recently completed the surround sound audio production on the blockbuster Michael Jackson game, “King Of Pop!”

Ralph Schuckett: Ralph’s tenure with Todd Rundgren’s Utopia segued into composing themes & scores for TV & Film including “Kate & Allie” & “Another World.” As chief composer for “4 Kids Productions” he scored numerous feature films & animated TV series including; “Pokémon,” “Yugioh,” “Sonic X,” “Kirby,” & “One Piece.”

He has recorded and /or toured with Carole King, Hall & Oates, Whitney Houston, George Benson, and Rodney Crowell, and provided arrangements on recordings for Billy Joel, Michael Bolton. and Joan Osborne. As a songwriter / producer Ralph has worked with Belinda Carlisle, Sophie B. Hawkins, and Clarence Clemons.

As fate would have it, in early April Todd, Kas, Willie and Ralph will find themselves back in Woodstock New York, 32 years later, right where it all started, rehearsing their newest stage spectacle.

TODD RUNDGREN'S UTOPIA North American reunion tour, featuring Todd, Kasim, Willie, & Ralph, begins on April 18 and ends on June 5 (tour dates below). Tickets and more information are available at Live Nation, Ticketmaster and all Ticketmaster outlets.

THE FIRST REUNION ON-CAMERA INTERVIEW – WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e3Wrps2zr0

TODD RUNDGREN’S UTOPIA TOUR DATES

APRIL 18 JIM THORPE PA, PENNS PEAK
APRIL 20 ENGLEWOOD NJ, BERGEN PAC
APRIL 22 HOUSTON TX, HOUSE OF BLUES
APRIL 23 DALLAS TX, MAJESTIC THEATER
APRIL 25 BROWARD FL, BROWARD PAC
APRIL 27 ST PETERSBURG FL, MAHAFFEY THEATER
APRIL 28 ATLANTA GA, TABERNACLE
APRIL 29 DURHAM NC, CAROLINA THEATER
MAY 1 HUNTINGTON NY, PARAMOUNT THEATER
MAY 2 WASHINGTON DC, WARNER THEATER
MAY 3 NEW YORK NY, TOWN HALL
MAY 5 PHILADELPHIA PA, TOWER THEATER
MAY 6 BOSTON MA, ORPHEUM THEATER
MAY 7 RIDGEFIELD CT, RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE
MAY 9 ST LOUIS MO, PEABODY OPERA HOUSE
MAY 10 CINCINNATI OH, TAFT THEATER
MAY 12 MILWAUKEE WI, PABST THEATER
MAY 13 MINNEAPOLIS MN, STATE THEATER
MAY 15 GRAND RAPIDS MI, 20 MONROE LIVE
MAY 16 TORONTO ONT, MASSEY HALL
MAY 17 DETROIT MI, THE FILLMORE
MAY 19 CLEVELAND OH, HARD ROCK LIVE
MAY 20 CLEVELAND OH, HARD ROCK LIVE
MAY 22 CHICAGO IL, CHICAGO THEATER
MAY 24 DENVER CO, PARAMOUNT THEATER
MAY 26 LAS VEGAS NV, THE JOINT @ THE HARD ROCK
MAY 27 PHOENIX AZ, COMERICA THEATER
MAY 29 LOS ANGELES CA, THE WILTERN
MAY 30 SAN FRANCISCO CA, THE MASONIC
JUNE 1 SEATTLE WA, MOORE THEATER
JUNE 2 PORTLAND OR, REVOLUTION THEATER
JUNE 4 SACRAMENTO CA, CREST THEATER
JUNE 5 RIVERSIDE CA, FOX PAC

BROADCASTER JIM BAADE WINS SILVER MEDAL AT AAF ADDY AWARDS

Documentary filmmaker: writer, producer, editor and director. Broadcast creative director & voice over talent Jim Baade was honored with a silver medal!

Silver Medal Award Winners at the 41st Annual American Advertising Federation AAF Addy Awards Ceremony at Northbank Center, Feb. 23. Pictured from left to right is newest inductee Jim Baade, Stephanie K. Confer, Chris McDonald, John Tracy, Tom Reynolds, Laurie Prochazka, Lueida Grady, Karl Olmsted and Dave Perry. (photo by Eric Dutro)

Jim Baade holds his Addy with CARS 108 Mornings Hosts Pat and AJ (left) and Dave Perry
(photo by Eric Dutro)

Jim Baade was awarded the Silver Medal Award at the 41st Annual American Advertising Federation Awards Ceremony. Established in 1959, the honor represents outstanding contributions in advertising and furthering the industry's standards of creative excellence and responsibility in social concern.

Dave Perry awards Jim Baade with the AAF Silver Medal Award.(photo by Molly Baade)

Beginning his career at the legendary album rock station: 105 FM "Flint Best Rock" when Flint radio legend Peter C. Cavanaugh hired him. 'Badboy Baade" soon was spinning vinyl on the all-night show at the number one station in America. Afterward, establishing himself with awarding winning commercials and campaigns, Baade remains one of the most recognizable voices in Greater Flint.

WATCH LOCAL DJ HERE

LOCAL DJ - THE STORY OF FLINT ROCK N' ROLL - 2016 Documentary - HD (Best Quality) from JIM BAADE on Vimeo.

CRANBROOK ART MUSEUM SUMMER 2018 EXHIBITIONS

Shepard Fairey, Pasteup, Unknown, 1999.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich., March 5, 2018—This summer, Cranbrook Art Museum will organize the largest exhibition of its kind exploring the unique visual language of the punk and post-punk movements from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die: Punk Graphics, 1976-1986 will feature hundreds of graphics—including many rare flyers, posters, albums, promotions, and zines.

“Since its rebellious inception in the 1970s, punk has always exhibited very visual forms of expression,” says Director of Cranbrook Art Museum Andrew Blauvelt, who is curating the exhibition. “From the dress and hairstyles of its devotees and the on-stage theatrics of its musicians to the graphic design of its numerous forms of printed matter. As such, punk’s energy coalesced into a powerful subcultural phenomena that transcended music to affect other fields such as visual art and design.”

Various posters for The Clash, c. 1977–1985, Collection of Andrew Krivine. Photo courtesy the Galleries at Moore, Philadelphia.
Photo by Joseph Hu.

In conjunction with Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die, the Museum will debut the original exhibition Shepard Fairey: Salad Days, 1989-1999, which considers Fairey’s first 10 years of artistic practice and its roots in the graphic language and philosophies of the punk scene. Punk’s ethos played a decisive role in the artist’s early work. “When I discovered punk rock, and realized that music could have an attitude in its style but a specific point of view in its lyrics,” states Fairey, “I became even more interested in how it works as a way of shaping attitudes and culture.”

Opening Weekend Events
June 15 + 16, 2018

Cranbrook Art Museum will host a weekend of celebrations surrounding the opening of both exhibitions. For exclusive access and advance ticket information, become a member today!

Preview Party: Friday, June 15, 2018 from 6-9pm.
6-7pm: VIP reception exclusively for ArtMembers. Memberships may be purchased on our website.

7-9pm: Open to the general public. Tickets are $30 at the door, or may be purchased in advance on our website.

DJs will be on hand for the celebration, as well as a very special guest! Cash bar. Live music. Complimentary appetizers.

3RD ANNUAL DETROIT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION!

3rd annual Detroit International Festival of Animation

On April 6th and 7th 2018 at Detroit’s Tangent Gallery, the 3rd annual Detroit International Festival of Animation (DIFA) will celebrate and showcase a wild diversity of animations from animators and filmmakers local and international. DIFA will feature approximately 90 minutes of animated shorts ranging from experimental to quirky as well as more sophisticated mini features.

Also within the same venue, you will find a gallery of animation and comic inspired art and an expo of local artists, animators, zine publishers and comic creators. There will also be a full bar for pop, beer and mixed drinks purchases, as well as hot food, snacks and popcorn.

Admission is only $10 ($5 matinee Sat 5pm), however this event is 18+ due to some mature content.

The film schedule will be released by April 1st.

3rd annual Detroit International Festival of Animation (DIFA 3)
Fri April 07 2017 – Expo 6p-midnight, Showtimes 7p & 9p
Sat April 08 2017 – Expo 4p-midnight, Showtimes 5p, 7p & 9p

Tangent Gallery / Hastings Street Ballroom
715 E Milwaukee, Detroit, MI 48202

For further details, updates and upcoming film schedules, please visit our site:

http://www.difestofanim.com/

THE GENERAL WALKER HOTEL OBERSALZBERG GERMANY HISTORY

Obersalzberg- Hotel General Walker

My Mother and I visited The General Walker Hotel in 1972 before the Olympics. It was demolished in 2001 or so and converted to a parking lot for the Eagle's Nest tourists. Having lost my photos from that time I thought I would post whatever I could find for historic purposes.

The General Walker was a hotel for US troops after World War II in the mountain (Alpine) retreat of Obersalzberg, Germany. The former Pension Moritz boarding house, boasting opulent accommodations and sweeping views of the Bavarian countryside and Alpine scenery, had been opened in 1878 and renamed Platterhof in 1928. 

After the Nazi seizure of power, it became a "people's" hostel for visitors to the extended containment area around Hitler's headquarters at the nearby Berghof residence. It was subsequently rebuilt into a luxury hotel for visiting dignitaries and in 1943 was converted into a military hospital. SS guards.

Following World War II, the damaged building was restored as a United States Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC), and again renamed after US Army General Walton Walker (1889–1950), killed in action in the Korean War.
The complex was demolished in 2001.

1973 Bavaria Photos

The General Walker Hotel aka The Platterhof Hotel Obersalzberg Germany

The Platterhof hotel has a long and interesting history ... alas, this history is now over, as most of the buildings were demolished in 2000. It began as an Obersalzberg estate called the Steinhauslehen. Mauritia "Moritz" Mayer bought it in 1877 and later opened the Pension Moritz.

Moritz Mayer enjoyed considerable local fame, and after her death, the pension became known as the "Platterhof," because Moritz was widely assumed to have inspired the character of "Judith Platter" in Richard Voss' novel Zwei Menschen (Two People).

In 1923 Adolf Hitler first visited Obersalzberg, where Büchner accommodated the Nazi journalist Dietrich Eckart. Again in Summer 1925 Hitler, released from prison in Landsberg, was a boarder at the Pension Moritz; he and his party fellow Max Amann completed the manuscript of Mein Kampf in a small cabin on the premises.

Hitler became a regular guest, from 1928 he rented the nearby Haus Wachenfeld chalet which later was rebuilt as the Berghof. Bruno Büchner acquired the Pension Moritz in 1928 and renamed it Platterhof, inspired by Richard Voss' popular novel Zwei Menschen which had been filmed a few years before.

However, when Hitler became Reich Chancellor in January 1933 and his legal secretary Martin Bormann gradually had the Obersalzberg resort turned into a restricted area, Büchner ran into difficulties.

He experienced losses due to numerous defamatory statements and intrigues, until his hotel was finally closed by SS personnel and the Nazi Party took possession of the Platterhof on 20 June 1936. Büchner received a small compensation and was forced to leave Obersalzberg.

WILLIE AND GLEN NOMINATED FOR ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD!

Los Angeles – March 2, 2018 – Music legends Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson have been nominated for the Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Event of the Year for their poignant duet “Funny How Time Slips Away.”

The 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards will air live on Sunday, April 15, at 8 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

HYBRID CAR INFO THAT BENEFITS THE BUYER AND ENVIRONMENT

A hybrid car is a personal mode of transportation that has gained popularity lately due to skyrocketing gasoline prices. This vehicle is extremely fuel efficient in that it combines two sources of energy. The first energy source is electricity which is generated through the use of a rechargeable battery. The other energy source is a combustion engine that burns fuel. The efficient combination of these two sources of energy provide for excellent fuel efficiency.

Hybrid car information not only includes how the vehicle operates, but also includes the benefits gained from the production and incorporation of the use of a hybrid car. Part of hybrid car information pertains to the benefits that are realized to the consumer’s pocket book, led fog light bulbs and benefits that affect us all as it relates to the environment.

Benefits To The Buyer

The obvious benefit to the buyer of a hybrid vehicle is the savings realized in reducing the frequency of refueling their vehicles. The latest hybrid car information shares with the consumer that the miles per gallon attained by a hybrid car can be over 60 miles to the gallon. Therefore, the savings is not in each time you fill up the vehicle with fuel, but the infrequency of trips to the service station.

In addition, to the yearly savings realized in less gasoline or other fuel being purchased, is the benefit that the hybrid car owner will enjoy during tax season. For taxes filers in 2006, a credit is being allowed by the government for certain hybrid vehicles. The credits are not standard, but vary in their size. The latest hybrid car information suggests that the credits available may be substantial enough to bridge the additional cost spent on a hybrid versus a traditional automobile. Also, some states have proposed legislation that may extend federal tax breaks for qualified state tax filers.

Also, you may be able to secure a lower interest loan based on the purchase of a hybrid vehicle. Recent hybrid car information relates that some credit unions or other lending institutions may offer a lower interest rate to consumers who purchase a hybrid vehicle.

Benefits To The Environment
The latest hybrid car information affirms that the hybrid car is far more gentle on the environment than the traditional automobile. Because the hybrid car is powered by electric and gasoline energies the emissions produced are significantly less. Additionally, pollutants released into the air are half of what a gasoline combustion engine emits.

Also, with mileage being estimated at over 60 miles per gallon, the decrease demand upon fuel fossil is reduced. This benefit certainly aids in less strain being placed upon the environment’s natural resources.