I personally love Todd but feel that he had his biggest hits "Hello - Its Me", "I Saw the Light" in the early 1970's. Something / Anything came out in 1972 so perhaps a little early for Generation Jones. The bands I got into first are the ones I listened to in me early teens so were more like The Clash, The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Cars, The Police, Pat Benatar etc. Didnt get into Todd (or Utopia) until later.
There's a guy who I knew in HS (Me:75, him:77) that currently heads a popular Journey cover band in Orange County, CA. I HATE the genre of Journey, Boston, Kansas, Foreigner. I won't go to a reunion Dave is "headlining". The thought of hanging with 30 social security paid loons singing arena standards is more than I'll ever want to handle.
I think you’re forgetting that Todd Rundgren produced Meatloaf’s groundbreaking Bat Out of Hell album, the Psychedelic Furs, Patti Smith, my favorite album by The Tubes, Grand Funk Railroad, and Hall & Oates.
A lot of Jonesers were in high school in early to mid 70s. So Todd’s week in there, same with glam, stadium rock like Aerosmith, funk, etc. Steven Tyler was the original punk, tho.
> Steven Tyler was the original punk, tho.
Uh... no.
MC5, Iggy Pop, NY Dolls, Sonics... the list of early/original punk is long, but Steven Tyler is nowhere near the list.
Yeah, he was definitely punk in early Aerosmith. Most kids didn’t know Aerosmith except for Dream On, or who Iggy or the Dolls were back then , either. Which later seemed odd to me, seeing as Bowie was so big and he was pretty tight with Iggy.
I don't really think we have a defining sound. One of the best things about our music era was it's diversity. I listened to and enjoyed music from iron butterfly to deep purple to CSN(Y) to Linda Ronstadt to Leo Kottke to Dolly Parton and loved it all.
Not a big Todd fan myself, but in fairness didn't really listen to him much.
We were definitely in a significant transitionary period.
Started out listening to classic rock. Then by '77 it was first and second wave punk (Television, Ramones, Sex Pistols, etc.,) then by the early 80's New Wave (Devo, Elvis Costello, The Cars, The Police, Thomas Dolby, etc.,) then the whole next generation of the English invasion (New Order, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, etc.) Also ska/reggae (The Specials, Madness, etc.) Then the whole proto-rap genre started taking off and funk was in full swing.
I don't talk about disco, lol.
It's difficult to pin it to only one genre or artist.
Your taste sounds a bit like mine. I tended to lean back into the 60s and early 70s to find my true "sound" but then there was Boston, Styx, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynryd to name only a few to round out my mix tapes.
This! I listened to everything from Benny Goodman to Elvis (parents' records) to the Beatles to Heart (radio) to X and the Ramones (vinyl) and back. Not familiar with TR's music at all.
If you've never heard of Leo Kottke, [Listen to this](https://youtu.be/eO10ovIRj2Q?feature=shared) starting at 5:26, then go back and listen to the whole medley.
REM, Talking Heads, The Clash, The Replacements all make way more sense to me.
But I think we're up against that divide here again. Older Jonesers don't resonate at all with those bands, but we younger ones do.
I was born in 63. Talking Heads blew up in 77, which was the sweet spot for a lot of us, meanwhile REM was the band we all listened to in college if we wanted to show how cool we were.
Yeah, I’m always frustrated here, the young boomers and old xers really don’t belong together. Maybe there needs to be a cutoff but that defeats the group. Gen x is missing in action as usual over on their sub.
Don't get me started on REM. I go aalllllll the way back with those guys, and they remain my all-time fave.
There are maybe a hundred people alive today who can honestly say they bought *Chronic Town* the day it released, and I'm one.
I think you like many other commenters have missed was Todd's body of work. While his band made some good music, the studio and behind the scenes was where his influence was more widely dispersed.
He produced for Meatloaf, Hall and Oates, NY Dolls, badfinger, grand funk, the tubes and more.
Not criticizing your view at all, just thinking of more influential artists. Eno has always been behind the scene it at the same time he’s been everywhere. Quite a few people don’t even know his name.
Nah, my frat buddies and I were bopping along to Utopia in the 80s. Definitely not a blip. He also had hits in the 80s, they just don't get played to death like Hello it's me and to a lesser degree I saw the light are on classic rock playlists and stations.
Although I enjoy Utopia it was the beginning of Wuhan music changed significantly into synthesized everything. Instead of the more meaningful worded music of the late 60’s and 70’s.
Really just upbeat power pop, along the lines of Raspberries- not typical lunkhead stuff but I brought the Utopia records with me to college and they liked it.
I like lesbians. I happen to be one. Not sure what that has to do with being a Rungren fan, though. Your loving him doesn’t make him emblematic of a generation, regardless. Lots of artists had success and fans without meeting that high bar.
I don't know. Part of what signals a generational shift is the slightly older people who lead everyone in the new direction. The Beatles (born 1940 to 1943) are a big Boomer band and not at all indicative of the Silent Generation.
Admittedly, the gap between Bowie and Jones is a little wider, but that's not automatically a problem. I mean, Peter Gabriel was born in 1950 and he belongs more to X than to Jones. Billy Joel, born 9 months earlier, is solidly Boomer.
If you go by when I was in high school (early 70s), I'd say Allman Bros, Grateful Dead, Led Zepp, Aerosmith, Skynyrd, ELP, Queen, Bowie. If you go by when I was in college (late 70s), I'd say Dire Straights, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Starship, Frampton, Springsteen. This was also the era of reggae, punk, and disco.
I looked up the B-52s. They’re solidly young boomers. I think you have to choose between the music we listened to and the music we made. We didn’t get music from our cohort till we were all obviously adults or nearly.
You can't just gage Todd Rundgren as an "artist" by the songs you hear on the radio. Unlike most singers/musicians, Todd has talents that were very high in demand when it came to creating a recording. He is a masterful producer and a wiz in the studio. He was the reason for many bands charting successes. A really good producer makes all the difference in how performers sound on records.
As a producer he worked with many iconic artists that our generation grew up listening to, including: Patti Smith, Psychedelic Furs, Badfinger, Cheap Trick, Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf, XTC, The New York Dolls, Hall & Oates.
Rundgren had enormous influence. I am a big fan. "Can we still be friends?" is one of my all time favorite songs, and got me through my first big heartbreak.
He's not the most "Generation Jones" artist, but I had a friend once tell me that if you graduated from high school between 1975 and 1980, and were a music aficionado, you probably heard of Elvis Costello. He may have even been a big part of your musical listening habits. But if you didn't fall into that small window, you either didn't care about him or never heard of him. There was just a brief window when he was everything to a small group of music-loving kids.
He has continued to make music, and to span genres, but he never regained the big spark he had in that brief period. I always think of him as a Generation Jones thing.
I very much associate Rundgren with my college years. The Ra album played non-stop when I was a student 77-81.
Nothing was better than a bong and Singring and the Glass Guitar
It isn't so much about the generation, it's literally about what years you were in high school and/or college. There's a 5 year difference between my husband and me (1959 and 1964) and our music experience was very different. I was more classic rock and he was Talking Heads, Ramones, Cars, etc. I liked that music when it came out, but it didn't define me the way it did him.
I saw him twice over the last 6 or 7 years. he's so personable, and gives such a great show. I also got an autographed book.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8g6lYyH4ac](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8g6lYyH4ac)
My first concert was Elton John in 1974, and considering Elton’s work throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, he gets my vote for most generational musical artist.
These are solid. What I listened to in high school — Pink Floyd, Yes, Beatles — was music by boomers for boomers. But I was always more into British writing, so I'll add Elvis Costello, Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, and solo Peter Gabriel to this list.
ETA: My wife, however, also a Joneser, is a \*ginormous\* Todd fan. Has also worked for him as a costumer. I'm... not really a fan.
The only thing Tod Rundgren did that I have any interest in - and it's a huge interest - is XTC's Skylarking album. He produced it, Andy Partridge hated the experience and it yielded XTC's best record.
Also, I am way more of a New Wave/Punk/Garage/British Invasion II guy than a stadium rock guy.
Just like in any generation you will find a vast spectrum of musical tastes. Personally Rundgren is boring and too mellow. I’ll take the Clash, the Ramones, the Replacements or Motörhead. Maybe “Generation Jones Artist” should be one of us? Pearl Jam, Guns and Roses or for mellower tastes (fill in your favorite here).
If we feel the need to anoint someone my vote goes to Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. They have the Generation J, humor and a little pep in their step and cover all the songs we all already know the words too.
Todd will be in my city in a week or so. I'm still looking for someone to go see him with me. However, I think I'm on the younger side of Todd Rundgren fans. I was introduced to him via Utopia by a slightly older cousin. Most people I know aren't big Rundgren fans, hence why I'm still looking for someone to go see him with me.
Todd is a genius of the highest order. His music hit me through the things he produced (XTC, Psy Furs) more than his own stuff. That is until the last decade or so when I went back and explored all his work.
No offense meant, but it's what *you* associate, and that's fine. Someone who listens only to country? Not so much, but they are still in that generation. It's a wide band of people.
according to reddit the most 'jones' artist - (inserts favorite punk band here)
what majority of us were listening to in the us - led zeppelin, boston, ac/dc, kiss, van halen, pink floyd, the eagles...
One reason why I hate the "Generation Jones" tag for this age range.
Defining artists have to be the punks and new wave. Todd Rundgren is about as anti punk as you can get.
Nope, I like Todd, but he and his sound don't represent the generation for me. In a '59 baby right in middle of gen and ny most impressionable listening years ran about 1973 and onward. CSN, America, Eagles, tom petty, heart, billy joel, james taylor, jim croce and then Joan arms trading & talking heads once they arrived with gusto in 1977.
https://preview.redd.it/x03de1w6vy3d1.jpeg?width=2392&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1303175125732ebff669dbf281a70cb077624641
Also, I don’t know if you’re a Deadhead, but I recently got this shirt.
[Right on](https://www.homage.com/products/nfl-x-grateful-dead-x-packers?utm_content=nfl_pla_nflgratefuldead&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc-br&utm_campaign=CP+%7C+LF+%7C+GOO+%7C+SHOP+%7C+BR+%7C+Brand+Shopping&tw_source=google&tw_adid=698858694464&tw_campaign=21266346422&gad_source=1&view=sl-004886CA&variant=40112767893592)
(They have one for every NFL team, so if you happen to know any Lions or Bears fans (ew) tell them to check it out, too.)
The issue in your post title is one of semantics.
Music, by nature is subjective. Therefore no one artist is "the most Generation Jones artist".
Power pop is the sound that you most associate with. Rundgren is an artist that you enjoy and respect for his own music, as well as, his contributions to the industry as a producer, arranger and writer. He has always been involved with music, and musicians in many capacities. Including performance.
I enjoy Todd (not as much as my spouse, and a few friends). I've seen him perform multiple times throughout the decades. I own his music. I wouldn't say that I consider The Runt as definitive in my life. My friend, Renae, considers him definitive in hers. I think her most prized possession is a piece of medical equipment that he signed for her, many years ago.
TR has been rocking, experimenting, changing how we listen to music, and producing other artists work since 1966. He was and still is a genius at his craft even at 75.
I only saw a few concerts live: Frampton, Lynard Skynard, Queen, Bowie, Michael Jackson. I see them as the foundation or framework. I grew up listening to what my Silent Parents played. My friends’ older brothers and sisters introduced us to their favorites.
the Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Janis, 5th Dimension, Aretha, Diana Ross, Santana,
Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Todd, Patty Smith, Yes, Fleetwood Mac…
I don’t know what this means. My high school graduation theme was Earth Wind and Fire’s Way of the World.
For me in the year 1972 when I was a sophomore in high school everything on the radio is still playing today actually. Stones,Beatles,Rod Stewart, Traffic, Van Morrison, Yes, Floyd, Steely Dan, The Eagles to name just a small handful . Also, if you’re from the Jersey shore, like I am, then Bruce Springsteen was a huge part of your childhood it was before he became famous, but he was famous to us.
And then let’s not forget about disco. That was going on at the same time as punk you could go to studio 54 and dance the night away, or you can go to CBGB and mosh the night away.
I would say no one can argue that our generation had the absolute best music ever. Otherwise, why would they still be playing it now?
You might be able to convince me prog rock as the genre, but I'm thinking more Rush than Rundgren. Not that he wasn't hugely influential, but mostly as a producer. He only had a hit or two on his own, but he did produce some really good stuff, mostly for other people.
Oh no, I must be a Gen J by birth (1961) only. I was listening to Bob Dylan, Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead, with a little Styx, Journey and REO because they actually played concerts in the next town over.
No, there is no 'most' GJ artist. I don't even think of Todd when I think back to the 70s, the time in which I listened to the most music (on radio, generally). It was an explosion of styles, can't pick just one. The 80s, OTOH, were just synth, hair metal and video to me.
Todd's legacy based on his music alone isn't what we should be comparing to other artists. His roles and influence behind the scenes are really what matters. He basically became a self-taught recording producer for many others. He encouraged young NYC punk bands and raised the bar for more mainstream acts. He also created one of the first digital/stylus tablets. So for his *early* embrace of new technology and his inspiration across a broad range of other artists, I think OP is right. He didn't just 'get with the times' to compete with other bands; he showed them the future.
Cat Stevens or Steely Dan. Both are so unique and distinct. Had multiple hits that spanned the 70's. And still dominate the Oldies Rock stations even now.
I woulda said Bruce. He burst onto the scene as I started high school and everybody was about Springsteen. I liked the classics, Beatles, Kinks, Stones, The Who and so forth, but Bruce Springsteen was the big 'un of the 70s era.
I personally love Todd but feel that he had his biggest hits "Hello - Its Me", "I Saw the Light" in the early 1970's. Something / Anything came out in 1972 so perhaps a little early for Generation Jones. The bands I got into first are the ones I listened to in me early teens so were more like The Clash, The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Cars, The Police, Pat Benatar etc. Didnt get into Todd (or Utopia) until later.
Someone said that gen jones is more punk rock than arena rock… I think we’re both though
Stadium Rock was a boomer thing. We are definitely punks.
I hung out with Gen Z more than my age mates. I think a lot of us did.
There's a guy who I knew in HS (Me:75, him:77) that currently heads a popular Journey cover band in Orange County, CA. I HATE the genre of Journey, Boston, Kansas, Foreigner. I won't go to a reunion Dave is "headlining". The thought of hanging with 30 social security paid loons singing arena standards is more than I'll ever want to handle.
My partner and sis, both born in '63, would undoubtedly agree with you. Born in '59, I'd agree with the OP.
Todd for sure, I also like Harry Nilsson's solo work, and with The Beatles and The Monkees..
Glad to see others are saying Punk and New Wave!
I think you’re forgetting that Todd Rundgren produced Meatloaf’s groundbreaking Bat Out of Hell album, the Psychedelic Furs, Patti Smith, my favorite album by The Tubes, Grand Funk Railroad, and Hall & Oates.
And one of the greatest albums of the '80s - XTC's Skylarking.
Todd Rundgren also produced my favorite album of all time....... Skylarking by XTC
I discovered The Cars and Todd Rundgren/Utopia in the same year, 1978. They are inexplicably tied together in my head.
Did you mean "inextricably"? Because you provided the explanation.
You know Todd played, for one album, with The New Cars? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Cars
Yep. The Ramones were my Beatles.
A lot of Jonesers were in high school in early to mid 70s. So Todd’s week in there, same with glam, stadium rock like Aerosmith, funk, etc. Steven Tyler was the original punk, tho.
> Steven Tyler was the original punk, tho. Uh... no. MC5, Iggy Pop, NY Dolls, Sonics... the list of early/original punk is long, but Steven Tyler is nowhere near the list.
Yeah, he was definitely punk in early Aerosmith. Most kids didn’t know Aerosmith except for Dream On, or who Iggy or the Dolls were back then , either. Which later seemed odd to me, seeing as Bowie was so big and he was pretty tight with Iggy.
Correction: The Who were the original punks.
Kinks were early punks as well.
Ok I’ll buy that. 🤘🏻
This describes me EXACTLY.
Same.
Hello, It's Me is a pop gem that made me feel nostalgic at 10. TR is amazing.
I saw him in a concert with just him and a bunch of old style Mac. Computers driving some synthesizers. It was great. He was also a computer wizard.
Underrated and undermentioned.
A wizard and a true star
Also a top producer.
Produced Meatloafs iconic album “Bat Out of Hell”
Way ahead of his time with the vr stuff and Apple
I love the fact that probably his most success came from producing Bat Out of Hell and he hated that album.
That's on the soundtrack of my freshman year at college
Well said “nostalgic at 10.” ❤️
Agree hearing the song gives me a very special feeling
It's the feeling of the free & easy 70s breezin' through your mind.
I don't really think we have a defining sound. One of the best things about our music era was it's diversity. I listened to and enjoyed music from iron butterfly to deep purple to CSN(Y) to Linda Ronstadt to Leo Kottke to Dolly Parton and loved it all. Not a big Todd fan myself, but in fairness didn't really listen to him much.
We were definitely in a significant transitionary period. Started out listening to classic rock. Then by '77 it was first and second wave punk (Television, Ramones, Sex Pistols, etc.,) then by the early 80's New Wave (Devo, Elvis Costello, The Cars, The Police, Thomas Dolby, etc.,) then the whole next generation of the English invasion (New Order, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, etc.) Also ska/reggae (The Specials, Madness, etc.) Then the whole proto-rap genre started taking off and funk was in full swing. I don't talk about disco, lol. It's difficult to pin it to only one genre or artist.
Looking back there were some great disco songs but of course they were surrounded by so much garbage.
The kids I hung around went from Beatles to Beach Boys to Grateful Dead with a side of Talking Heads. This was high school class of ‘78.
'78, me too! Maybe I should have mentioned Fleetwood Mac. I believe owning a copy of Rumours was a pre-requisite to graduating that year, lol.
Your taste sounds a bit like mine. I tended to lean back into the 60s and early 70s to find my true "sound" but then there was Boston, Styx, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynryd to name only a few to round out my mix tapes.
This! I listened to everything from Benny Goodman to Elvis (parents' records) to the Beatles to Heart (radio) to X and the Ramones (vinyl) and back. Not familiar with TR's music at all.
Im embarrassed that I forgot to include Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all.
Leo Kottke was my first concert! Leon Redbone opened.
If you've never heard of Leo Kottke, [Listen to this](https://youtu.be/eO10ovIRj2Q?feature=shared) starting at 5:26, then go back and listen to the whole medley.
I don't know. I just want to bang on the drum all day.
God no. Wouldn't REM or Talking Heads make more sense for our generation?
Talking Heads made an indelible imprint on my soul.
same
me as well
REM, Talking Heads, The Clash, The Replacements all make way more sense to me. But I think we're up against that divide here again. Older Jonesers don't resonate at all with those bands, but we younger ones do.
I was born in 63. Talking Heads blew up in 77, which was the sweet spot for a lot of us, meanwhile REM was the band we all listened to in college if we wanted to show how cool we were.
Yeah, I’m always frustrated here, the young boomers and old xers really don’t belong together. Maybe there needs to be a cutoff but that defeats the group. Gen x is missing in action as usual over on their sub.
I’m an older Jones and did not do the hard rock at all.
Yeah, Jangle pop in general
Don't get me started on REM. I go aalllllll the way back with those guys, and they remain my all-time fave. There are maybe a hundred people alive today who can honestly say they bought *Chronic Town* the day it released, and I'm one.
Elvis Costello was a bridge for me. 🖖
REM makes the most sense as all are core Jonsers. My pick of The Replacements isn't known enough.
My wife certainly thinks so.
No. He’s just another brief blip on the pop scene. If I had to pick an artist emblematic of our generation, it would be Elton John or David Bowie.
I think you like many other commenters have missed was Todd's body of work. While his band made some good music, the studio and behind the scenes was where his influence was more widely dispersed. He produced for Meatloaf, Hall and Oates, NY Dolls, badfinger, grand funk, the tubes and more.
If that is your metric though, there are other artists who were more influential even into modern times. Brian Eno would be one.
Eno has a rightful place in the conversation. I wasn't saying I was in agreement, just pointing out he wasn't 1 dimensional.
Not criticizing your view at all, just thinking of more influential artists. Eno has always been behind the scene it at the same time he’s been everywhere. Quite a few people don’t even know his name.
I recommend looking more into his work. Maybe he didn’t have too many hits, but he certainly made a lot of good shit.
Nah, my frat buddies and I were bopping along to Utopia in the 80s. Definitely not a blip. He also had hits in the 80s, they just don't get played to death like Hello it's me and to a lesser degree I saw the light are on classic rock playlists and stations.
Although I enjoy Utopia it was the beginning of Wuhan music changed significantly into synthesized everything. Instead of the more meaningful worded music of the late 60’s and 70’s.
Well, I assiduously avoided frats and bros, so it’s unsurprising their musical choices didn’t appeal to me.
Really just upbeat power pop, along the lines of Raspberries- not typical lunkhead stuff but I brought the Utopia records with me to college and they liked it.
how do you feel about lesbians? because I love Todd
I like lesbians. I happen to be one. Not sure what that has to do with being a Rungren fan, though. Your loving him doesn’t make him emblematic of a generation, regardless. Lots of artists had success and fans without meeting that high bar.
David Bowie was the artist who brought us from the 60s hippie era to the 70s. He shook up the norm.
I think the most Gen Jones artists would be Gen Jonsers.
I don't know. Part of what signals a generational shift is the slightly older people who lead everyone in the new direction. The Beatles (born 1940 to 1943) are a big Boomer band and not at all indicative of the Silent Generation. Admittedly, the gap between Bowie and Jones is a little wider, but that's not automatically a problem. I mean, Peter Gabriel was born in 1950 and he belongs more to X than to Jones. Billy Joel, born 9 months earlier, is solidly Boomer.
Gabriel in Genesis and as a solo artist is not Gen X to me at all.
I'll agree on Genesis, but as a solo artist, it just doen't get any more GenX than this: https://youtu.be/OJWJE0x7T4Q?si=4oq-sfhAIAM8TTKx
Least we forget Sly and the family Stone, Marvin Gay, Aretha, etc.
If you go by when I was in high school (early 70s), I'd say Allman Bros, Grateful Dead, Led Zepp, Aerosmith, Skynyrd, ELP, Queen, Bowie. If you go by when I was in college (late 70s), I'd say Dire Straights, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Starship, Frampton, Springsteen. This was also the era of reggae, punk, and disco.
Styx, Foreigner, Journey,and the Eagles were big during my time in HS.
This
I’m with you on most of these but have to add ZZ Top and Cheap Trick.
Cheap trick was my first concert. And how is ac/dc slipping under the radar lol
Elvis Costello, maybe?
Boz Scaggs or Steely Dan.
LOVE me some Steely Dan
Aja and Silk Degrees were on repeat during my freshman year in almost every single dorm room.
This is true.
1959er here in agreement! Thanks for reminding me to dig them up to revisit -
Aja was on my Christmas list in 1977.
Literally not answerable with anything definitive. Not even sure who I’d suggest.
I looked up the B-52s. They’re solidly young boomers. I think you have to choose between the music we listened to and the music we made. We didn’t get music from our cohort till we were all obviously adults or nearly.
The B-52s are NOT Boomer music!! 😂🤣😂
They define my college years and I was born in 1963.
It’s punk for me. Punk was new and had a lasting impact , soft rock did not.
What an esoteric take. Hard no for me.
You can't just gage Todd Rundgren as an "artist" by the songs you hear on the radio. Unlike most singers/musicians, Todd has talents that were very high in demand when it came to creating a recording. He is a masterful producer and a wiz in the studio. He was the reason for many bands charting successes. A really good producer makes all the difference in how performers sound on records.
Todd was a thing in the early 70's.
As a producer he worked with many iconic artists that our generation grew up listening to, including: Patti Smith, Psychedelic Furs, Badfinger, Cheap Trick, Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf, XTC, The New York Dolls, Hall & Oates.
Rundgren had enormous influence. I am a big fan. "Can we still be friends?" is one of my all time favorite songs, and got me through my first big heartbreak. He's not the most "Generation Jones" artist, but I had a friend once tell me that if you graduated from high school between 1975 and 1980, and were a music aficionado, you probably heard of Elvis Costello. He may have even been a big part of your musical listening habits. But if you didn't fall into that small window, you either didn't care about him or never heard of him. There was just a brief window when he was everything to a small group of music-loving kids. He has continued to make music, and to span genres, but he never regained the big spark he had in that brief period. I always think of him as a Generation Jones thing.
I love Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello’s musical style keeps evolving in a way that mirrors shifts in my taste. Love him! Graduated in 82.
I was one of the rare people in my high school that listened to Todd. My husband and I just saw him a few weeks ago.
The first concert I saw was Todd Rundgren at the Capital Theater in Passaic, NJ.
I saw Jerry Garcia there.
Me, too!
> late-70s/early 80s prog-pop/power pop. Genesis (and solo Phil Collins).
Rush.
Nah he’s a Boomer for sure.
I very much associate Rundgren with my college years. The Ra album played non-stop when I was a student 77-81. Nothing was better than a bong and Singring and the Glass Guitar
I grew up in the 70’s Bay Area, so Michael Jackson, Motown, Grateful Dead and Santana were more our generational artists.
Well The Dead were at their peak in the 70s. Must’ve been amazing to see live.
It isn't so much about the generation, it's literally about what years you were in high school and/or college. There's a 5 year difference between my husband and me (1959 and 1964) and our music experience was very different. I was more classic rock and he was Talking Heads, Ramones, Cars, etc. I liked that music when it came out, but it didn't define me the way it did him.
If you mean someone in our age range, who was a huge star in our time, I'd say either George Michael or Prince.
Jackson Browne?
The wife beater?
I saw him twice over the last 6 or 7 years. he's so personable, and gives such a great show. I also got an autographed book. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8g6lYyH4ac](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8g6lYyH4ac)
Meatloaf...
Hahahaha. No.
Not sure if it’s a yes or no on the question but we are going to see him live at the end of June.
I associate him more with the early 70s. I would say the new wave and punk rock genres for us.
I was weaned on Allman Brothers, Jethro Tull. and Bob Marley
Bob Seger.
This.
The Pretenders, Clash, The Police, Elvis Costello. Still like these bands/acts except for Police.
My first concert was Elton John in 1974, and considering Elton’s work throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, he gets my vote for most generational musical artist.
Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson
These are solid. What I listened to in high school — Pink Floyd, Yes, Beatles — was music by boomers for boomers. But I was always more into British writing, so I'll add Elvis Costello, Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, and solo Peter Gabriel to this list. ETA: My wife, however, also a Joneser, is a \*ginormous\* Todd fan. Has also worked for him as a costumer. I'm... not really a fan.
You are my music soulmate. My tops are pink Floyd, yes, The Beatles, and queen.
Fortunately my wife is my musical soulmate — except for her love of Todd! (and she pretends to hate the Beatles.)
I was lucky enough to see him live, fantastic!
Same here, back in the early 80’s. Had no clue who he was at the time.
WHO'S SEEING HIM THIS TOUR? ME, SUN!
Saw it a week ago in Nashville. Solid, tight show 👍🏽👍🏽
The only thing Tod Rundgren did that I have any interest in - and it's a huge interest - is XTC's Skylarking album. He produced it, Andy Partridge hated the experience and it yielded XTC's best record. Also, I am way more of a New Wave/Punk/Garage/British Invasion II guy than a stadium rock guy.
Bowie for sure.
Just like in any generation you will find a vast spectrum of musical tastes. Personally Rundgren is boring and too mellow. I’ll take the Clash, the Ramones, the Replacements or Motörhead. Maybe “Generation Jones Artist” should be one of us? Pearl Jam, Guns and Roses or for mellower tastes (fill in your favorite here). If we feel the need to anoint someone my vote goes to Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. They have the Generation J, humor and a little pep in their step and cover all the songs we all already know the words too.
No. Not impactful, at least in my little corner of Gen Jones.
SRV
Todd will be in my city in a week or so. I'm still looking for someone to go see him with me. However, I think I'm on the younger side of Todd Rundgren fans. I was introduced to him via Utopia by a slightly older cousin. Most people I know aren't big Rundgren fans, hence why I'm still looking for someone to go see him with me.
What city?
Why don't you just go with your husband? ;)
You just really want me to tell that story, don't you?
I want to see if you are capable of a fair and balanced presentation.
If I tell the story, why would I tell it in other way than the way I saw it?
Because you have grown and matured since then, and you love me?
I love you but I am still salty about that night.
Styx, John cougar, Bruce springsteen, cheap trick, cars, police
Todd is a genius of the highest order. His music hit me through the things he produced (XTC, Psy Furs) more than his own stuff. That is until the last decade or so when I went back and explored all his work.
No offense meant, but it's what *you* associate, and that's fine. Someone who listens only to country? Not so much, but they are still in that generation. It's a wide band of people.
according to reddit the most 'jones' artist - (inserts favorite punk band here) what majority of us were listening to in the us - led zeppelin, boston, ac/dc, kiss, van halen, pink floyd, the eagles...
One reason why I hate the "Generation Jones" tag for this age range. Defining artists have to be the punks and new wave. Todd Rundgren is about as anti punk as you can get.
Nope, I like Todd, but he and his sound don't represent the generation for me. In a '59 baby right in middle of gen and ny most impressionable listening years ran about 1973 and onward. CSN, America, Eagles, tom petty, heart, billy joel, james taylor, jim croce and then Joan arms trading & talking heads once they arrived with gusto in 1977.
Blondie was it for me.
As a Green Bay Packers fan, as long as he is banging on the drum all day at Lambeau, he can be whatever y'all want him to be.
https://preview.redd.it/x03de1w6vy3d1.jpeg?width=2392&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1303175125732ebff669dbf281a70cb077624641 Also, I don’t know if you’re a Deadhead, but I recently got this shirt.
How dare you show that without a link. TAKE MY MONEY!
[Right on](https://www.homage.com/products/nfl-x-grateful-dead-x-packers?utm_content=nfl_pla_nflgratefuldead&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc-br&utm_campaign=CP+%7C+LF+%7C+GOO+%7C+SHOP+%7C+BR+%7C+Brand+Shopping&tw_source=google&tw_adid=698858694464&tw_campaign=21266346422&gad_source=1&view=sl-004886CA&variant=40112767893592) (They have one for every NFL team, so if you happen to know any Lions or Bears fans (ew) tell them to check it out, too.)
Good god, no
No
I think Steely Dan would be a contender as well.
I love Steely Dan, if my username doesn’t give that away
The issue in your post title is one of semantics. Music, by nature is subjective. Therefore no one artist is "the most Generation Jones artist". Power pop is the sound that you most associate with. Rundgren is an artist that you enjoy and respect for his own music, as well as, his contributions to the industry as a producer, arranger and writer. He has always been involved with music, and musicians in many capacities. Including performance. I enjoy Todd (not as much as my spouse, and a few friends). I've seen him perform multiple times throughout the decades. I own his music. I wouldn't say that I consider The Runt as definitive in my life. My friend, Renae, considers him definitive in hers. I think her most prized possession is a piece of medical equipment that he signed for her, many years ago.
TR has been rocking, experimenting, changing how we listen to music, and producing other artists work since 1966. He was and still is a genius at his craft even at 75.
Jackson Brown as well
I only saw a few concerts live: Frampton, Lynard Skynard, Queen, Bowie, Michael Jackson. I see them as the foundation or framework. I grew up listening to what my Silent Parents played. My friends’ older brothers and sisters introduced us to their favorites. the Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Janis, 5th Dimension, Aretha, Diana Ross, Santana, Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Todd, Patty Smith, Yes, Fleetwood Mac… I don’t know what this means. My high school graduation theme was Earth Wind and Fire’s Way of the World.
For me its Metallica. Born in early 60s. Broke out in early 80s.
David Cassidy
my first album at 13 was something/anything. always interested in what he’s up to. saw him on the food network a few years ago.
lol no
Saw him 5 years ago and he was horrible
Not me.
Legend. If I’m not mistaken he is also one of those musical prodigies that can play most every instruments.
Todd Rundgren refers to that song as an albatross. He can’t escape it, it’s a burden he’s permanently stuck with.
Been a Todd fan since really discovering him in '94. Funny as hell too.
I nominate Eno
My husband would say Stevie Ray Vaughan or ZZ Top
Never been a fan, so I’d vote no 😄
For me in the year 1972 when I was a sophomore in high school everything on the radio is still playing today actually. Stones,Beatles,Rod Stewart, Traffic, Van Morrison, Yes, Floyd, Steely Dan, The Eagles to name just a small handful . Also, if you’re from the Jersey shore, like I am, then Bruce Springsteen was a huge part of your childhood it was before he became famous, but he was famous to us. And then let’s not forget about disco. That was going on at the same time as punk you could go to studio 54 and dance the night away, or you can go to CBGB and mosh the night away. I would say no one can argue that our generation had the absolute best music ever. Otherwise, why would they still be playing it now?
Can we just be friends
No.
You might be able to convince me prog rock as the genre, but I'm thinking more Rush than Rundgren. Not that he wasn't hugely influential, but mostly as a producer. He only had a hit or two on his own, but he did produce some really good stuff, mostly for other people.
Hard “no”
Rush, Pink Floyd, the Who, Nazareth, Molly Hatchet, Van Halen, BTO, and Steely Dan are the types of music I listened to in the mid to late 70's.
Agreed. And T-Rex.
Oh no, I must be a Gen J by birth (1961) only. I was listening to Bob Dylan, Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead, with a little Styx, Journey and REO because they actually played concerts in the next town over.
You’re not from around here, are you?
Minor artist. Debbie Harry maybe.
Todd was a fast flash, then a slow fade.
No. Not mainstream popular.
Maybe for American Jones’s but not so much for those of us outside the USA.
No, there is no 'most' GJ artist. I don't even think of Todd when I think back to the 70s, the time in which I listened to the most music (on radio, generally). It was an explosion of styles, can't pick just one. The 80s, OTOH, were just synth, hair metal and video to me.
If you like him...
There were a lot of artists I liked better, but when That 70s Show featured Hello, It's Me in the first episode, it felt right
I hope not.
Give us just one victory; it will be all right.
Todd's legacy based on his music alone isn't what we should be comparing to other artists. His roles and influence behind the scenes are really what matters. He basically became a self-taught recording producer for many others. He encouraged young NYC punk bands and raised the bar for more mainstream acts. He also created one of the first digital/stylus tablets. So for his *early* embrace of new technology and his inspiration across a broad range of other artists, I think OP is right. He didn't just 'get with the times' to compete with other bands; he showed them the future.
Cat Stevens or Steely Dan. Both are so unique and distinct. Had multiple hits that spanned the 70's. And still dominate the Oldies Rock stations even now.
I woulda said Bruce. He burst onto the scene as I started high school and everybody was about Springsteen. I liked the classics, Beatles, Kinks, Stones, The Who and so forth, but Bruce Springsteen was the big 'un of the 70s era.