King Crimson: Robert Fripp and Co. have been around since the 60's playing avant-garde jazz/rock but never have seemed to catch on with any one demo with the exception of musicians. The band Tool credits them as for the origin of their style and approach. The list of upper echelon musicians that have passed through Crimson on the way to other bands is formidable. Like Zappa and Tull, you don't get a gig with Fripp unless you are a great player.

Todd Rundgren: Long live Todd. From Woody's Truckstop to The Nazz to Runt to Utopia, The New Cars and The Liars, Todd can play many genres and play them well. His recent testimony before Congress in the hearing on “Parity, Platforms and Protection: The Future of the Music Industry in the Digital Radio Revolution” is a great read.
http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1853&wit_id=5265

In addition to his own recordings, Rundgren has produced albums for Halfnelson (first incarnation of Sparks), New York Dolls, Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad, Hall & Oates, Ian and Sylvia (on their "Great Speckled Bird" album), Meat Loaf, Patti Smith, The Tubes, Tom Robinson Band, XTC, Bad Religion, Cheap Trick, The Hello People, Hiroshi Takano, Bourgeois Tagg, 12 Rods, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Psychedelic Furs, The Band, The American Dream, and many others. The troubled XTC sessions produced the album Skylarking, now considered a high point for band and producer despite its acrimonious origin. Rundgren's production of Meat Loaf's Bat out of Hell helped that album become one of the very top selling LPs released in the 1970s. The industry regard for Rundgren's production work has been a lofty one: Jim Steinman, with whom Rundgren worked on Bat Out of Hell, has said in interviews that "Todd Rundgren is a genius and I don't use that word a lot."[1]
Rundgren has long been on the cutting edge of music and video technologies. His music video for the song "Time Heals" was among the first videos aired on MTV, and a video he produced for RCA (accompanied by Holst's "The Planets") was used as a demo for their videodisc players. His experience with computer graphics dates back to 1981, when he developed one of the first computer paint programs, dubbed the Utopia Graphics System; it ran on an Apple II with Apple's digitizer tablet. He is also the co-developer of the computer screensaver system Flowfazer.
In the 1990s, Rundgren was an early adopter of the NewTek Video Toaster and made several videos with it. The first, for "Change Myself" from 2nd Wind, was widely distributed as a demo reel for the Toaster; he also used the system for videos from No World Order (songs "Fascist Christ" and "Property"). Later, he set up a company to produce 3D animation using the Toaster; this company's first demo, "Theology" (a look at religious architecture through the ages featuring music by former Utopia bandmate Roger Powell) also became a widely-circulated item among Toaster users. Most of Rundgren's Toaster work is available on the video compilation The Desktop Collection.
Rundgren composed music for the 1986 TV series Pee-wee's Playhouse and Crime Story as well as the movies "Undercover" (a/k/a "Under Cover") (1987), and Dumb and Dumber (1994), plus background cues for several other TV shows. He hosted a syndicated radio show called "The Difference" in the early 1990s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Rundgren

Al Kooper: Al's career is another example of how you can contribute a ton of work to an industry and still be an unknown quantity to many music consuming adults. Most remembered for The Blues Project, Blood, Sweat and Tears and Super Session with Stephen Stills and Mike Bloomfield.

Kooper played on hundreds of records, including The Rolling Stones, B. B. King, The Who and Cream. On occasion, he has even overdubbed on his own efforts, as on The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper, as Roosevelt Gook. He discovered the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and produced their first three albums, including the single, "Sweet Home Alabama" and the iconic "Free Bird". Kooper also wrote the score for the TV series, Crime Story, the film "The Landlord" and has also written music for several made-for-television movies. Kooper also produced a now rare album by a group called Appaloosa. He was also the musical force behind many of the children's series "Banana Splits" pop tunes, including "You're the Lovin' End."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Kooper

Kevin Ayres: Founding member of The Soft Machine. Still playing, writing and performing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Ayers

Terry Reid: Jimmy Page offered Terry the vocalist job in his band The New Yardbirds, but Terry was booked solid and suggested he talk to Robert Plant. The rest is history. Terry plays down in LA on the weekends.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Reid

Gordon Lightfoot

Neil Diamond

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Al Kooper also produced a album for local music legend Jon Koonce

John Cafferty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cafferty

Linda Smith, Barbara Manning, Jonathan Richman, Jim Basnight, Gene Clark, Emitt Rhodes and Thom Rapp are all vastly under appreciated songwriters -- to name a handful.

Amus, I love the first two NGDB records even if nobody else has heard them. I also nominate the Incredible String Band and Bonzo Dog Band as obscure favorite bands.

LS,

Do you mean "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Ricochet"?
I've got them.

My favorite though is "Dream"

Shyguy, agree with John Cafferty.

Amus, we gotta get together with Warner, Andy and a few others for a vinyl orgy. Hmmm... somehow that did not come out right.

Those are great little records. One of my best friends brought his SO over once a few years ago and introduced her to the early Dirt Band. She must have played "Teddy Bear's Picnic" a hundred times and laughed and laughed. Nutty as hell, but a very endearing woman.

While I am spieling, I love the original pressing of "Pandemonium Shadow Show" by Harry Nilsson, "Song Cycle" from Van Dyke Parks and "S.F. Sorrow" by the Pretty Things too.

Todd Rundgren has been suggested as someone I should spend sometime with by more than a few of my friends with whom I talk music.

Now that I see Andy mention him again, I can no longer put it off.

Andy, your list of collaborations with Rundgren explains why I like so many of those bands. I think it's time I get to the core of why. Rundgren seems to be a large part of that answer. Thanks for the nudge.

Same with King Crimson. Sometimes there is just so much time I can devote to exploring relatively blindly. King Crimson is constantly cited as " Influenced by " when surfing iTunes.

It may also provide an answer to finding a song that I heard on KINK - ONCE - about 10 years ago. It is the SOLE song I have been looking for and I have no idea who sang it. I cannot even remember how it goes. ( I know, it makes no sense ) But the jock on shift that day mentioned Pere Ubu as part of the backsell. My memory of that was not that it was actually Pere Ubu, but that it " SOUNDED like Pere Ubu." It was a song I recognized from my childhood. If I had to guess, I would guess somewhere between 1977 - 1979 was the release date. Possibly earlier. Certainly no later. I have heard every Pere Ubu song I could get my ears on. None of them were it. I think it was the vocals that sounded so much like Pere Ubu. ( David Thomas ). I recall it being relatively upbeat - around 3 and a half minutes long - more rock than any other genre I would assign - underground vibe, yet played on the radio just a bit. ALMOST a one hit wonder song. More likely a crossover hit from someone that was respected, but never had tons of commercial success. Lots of snare beats and kind of raw sounding. That is to say, I don't remember it being some grand, over-produced epic. There is a good chance that it could be a King Crimson or Todd Rundgren song.

If I find this song, and I'm not kidding you - it has been at least a 10 year quest that I chip away at at least twice a month - I believe that I would be a changed man by having finally been able to put that quest to rest.

It's funny how just one song can drive a person so crazy. I NEED this song.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find my hat, whip and motorcycle with sidecar so I can find this song.

Todd Rundgren is hit and miss with me, but I do appreciate him. Arguably the best XTC record -- "Skylarking" -- was produced by Todd, but the band still thinks he is a dick. I think they have written far better songs than he has, so my allegiance is to Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding. From a production standpoint, I would put the Dukes of Stratosphear material up against the Todd stuff, but that is because I dig what John Leckie does when he goes retro in the studio even more than Rundgren.

I really dig getting everyone's perspective on what they love and hate.

Is Todd Rungran the man who sings "I don't want to work, I just want to bang on the drum all day." ??

I would also like to add Opal, The Steppes and Green Pajamas to the list of under appreciated talents.

Dukes of Stratosphear - You're a Good Man Albert Brown - was the first song I ever played on the radio when I got to pick the songs at KBVR.

XTC should tour. ( I know why they say they dont - but I wish they would )

I would love to see them live, but I understand how Andy feels about it.

Yeah. That would be one hell of a ticket, eh?

Myself and my two brothers are all huge Todd fans. I especially love Utopia. "The Road To Utopia" (I have on vinyl of course) is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Here's something completely different, and a fav of mine but for others, not so much. They've been around since the '70's, and debut album produced by, yes, Robert Fripp:

The Roches. I like singing, and they have fabulous harmonies. They've done a wide range of styles also, and they write and play thier own stuff.

More to come as I think of it.

Y'know, XTC could play a live show from their living room with the technology we have now. Mebbe we oughta suggest it.

Ooohhhhh.

I REALLY like that idea. Have it shown at theaters.

Bingo!

CJ -- It would be ecstasy. :0)

Warner and Andy, I also enjoy some Nazz and Utopia tunes.

Todd plays the Aladdin Theater July 8.

LS: Gene Clark is not known that well by name to many, but as founder of The Byrds he has many defacto followers. The Byrds were a big influence on many of the bands of the 70's.

Love the Nitty Gritties. Played them on the radio in sets with The New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Grateful Dead, and Poco.

Alright, someone else has S.F. Sorrow by the Pretty Things. Baron Saturday is a great song. The Pretties have been around forever. At times, they outsold the Stones in album sales in England. Their albums Freeway Madness and Parachute are classic and their most recent two, Rage Before Beauty and Balboa Island show they can still kick it out for a bunch of geezers.

Yes, Todd wrote Bang the Drum. It's not representative of any of his quality songs. His music keeps changing with the times and covers a lot of ground. A starting point might be the albums "One Long Year" and/or "Nearly Human." Every album always has a few gems, but it always depends on whether you're looking for ballads, heavy metal, funk or social commentary. I was a Todd fan since the days of Nazz when he wrote Open My Eyes and Hello It's Me, but he has moved miles beyond that. After all, he was a teenager at the time. Totally under/mis-represented by classic rock radio that can't get past those two songs and "We Gotta Get You A Woman" from Runt: The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren. Songs like Parallel Lines, The Want Of A Nail, Can't Stop Running, Hawking, Buffalo Grass ... are all totally suitable for airplay but don't expect to hear them on radio.
Then there's Flawed, from the Liar's CD. It's a great R&B production masterpiece, totally beautiful musically, but Todd didn't want a hit so listen closely to how the lyric goes (It's just the first part of this listener produced mish mash):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOEAGsVjUwc

Andy, I agree that folks are familiar with the Byrds material, but I think the defacto followers are almost entirely attributed to Roger McGuinn. Like another L.A. misfit, Mike Nesmith, Gene put out some records after he left that are vastly under appreciated.

Among the lesser known, but vital artists, I would add Big Star and solo efforts from band members Chris Bell and Alex Chilton. (I love the Box Tops too.) I also think that the aforementioned Pere Ubu along with The Feelies, and The Replacements do not get enough love.

From the acquired taste department, Can, Faust and Gong were one word wonders long before the 90s. Heck, might as well mention Red Crayola and Bevis Frond while I am digging into the pile.

Hello-

It's me.

Chris, I like that tune. It does get some airplay too.

Here are the Pretty Things in 1965, 1966, 1971 and recent proof from Abbey Road that "they can still kick it out for a bunch of geezers."

How about some Jude Cole?

Littlesongs, thanks for mentioning Mike Nesmith, another one of those artists I own a bunch of on vinyl. Great live album from Australia.

Here's another obscuro I enjoy: Dirk Hamilton. "Meet Me at the Crux", great Van Morrison-like stuff.

This is another killer thread. I've not experienced many of these artists! Thanks for some interesting listening sessions ahead as I track some of them down!

(a music party would be damn cool, BTW)

OK, here is the location for the next get together:

http://www.omsi.edu/visit/laser/showdetail.cfm?ID=16

YES!!

Been a very long time since I went to one of those. Not a bad suggestion, though we probably are talkers. Might get annoying for others!

A laser show would be fun.

10:45PM? Can you boys stay up that late? I'm in...

Holy Moley!!

They're still doing that?

I went to that in High School.
At least I think I remember doing so.

Oh Wow Man...

I'll bring the "Dorito's"!

I wonder if they also show it with The Wizard of Oz?

COMING SOON

Brian.....Paging Brian.....

Laser Rush
Opens: July 01
Song List...

Laser Floyd: The Wall
Opens: July 01
Song List...

Laser U2
Opens: August 01
Song List...

Laser Red Hot Chili Peppers
Opens: September 01
Song List...

Laser Smashing Pumpkins
Opens: October 01
Song List...

Laser Radiohead
Opens: November 01
Song List...

And currently showing in addition to Laser Floyd:

Laser Zeppelin: Lased and Confused
9:30pm

Note: Dark Side of the Moon ends this month and will be replaced with "The Wall" for July and August. Either way is fine though.

Good God! Laser Red Hot Chili Peppers? and Laser Smashing Pumpkins???

Or I could just poke my eyes out with knitting needles!

I'll sit next to you and chew my own ears off. Yours too, if you'd like.

Come to my house in Battle ground Wa. I drink a bunch of widmer Hefeweizen then ,laser pen on the wall to steve earle and springsteen

Only if there is a Cat involved!

I'm still thinking about Merkin chewing on my ears...

Ears, mmmmmmmmmmmm.

I think Warner must be part "Ferengi".

Warner, The Dude and his tunes selection, hefeys w/lemon, and me? I've gotta go take a cold shower. Right now.

BYOLP - Bring your own laser pointer!

At OMSI?!? Laser Rush?? God's music to a laser light show?

Dangit, I don't know if I can make it! Mom's going into surgery mid-month, and I won't be going anywhere!!

Laser Rush? Thats pretty cool. Im still waiting for laser "scorpions" specifically "Humanity Hour 1" Scorpions

If it's anything like the Pink Floyd light show at Grand Coulee Dam, it will be incredible.

OK. I didn't mention it in my opening post in this thread, but in light of Mel Galley's recent passing, I would like to add Trapeze to my list of great bands that nobody knows.

Trapeze were an English rock band formed in March 1969, by vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley (who named the band), with guitarist Mel Galley, singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland. The band had a fairly fluid line up, finally dissolving in 1994, and although they never found commercial success themselves, several members went on to join better known bands including Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Judas Priest and Uriah Heep.

The core and more familiar line-up of the band was Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley and Dave Holland. After Glenn Hughes' departure in June 1973, Galley and Holland decided to try to keep the band together, which they did with constantly members varying until 1979 when Holland went on to join Judas Priest. At this point the band broke up. Holland tried to revive the band in 1990, after leaving Priest, but the band finally broke up in 1994. Their first three albums remain their best known and most commercially successful.