Todd Rundgren

THERE ARE FEW FIGURES IN ROCK AS versatile as Todd Rundgren. A skilled producer and engineer, a gifted songwriter and a talented multi-instrumentalist, proficient on guitar, bass, keyboards and saxophone, Rundgren has often been hailed by critics as a pop "genius". But although his work as a record producer has often involved pioneering artists, and his distinctive sound and professional approach have made him one of the most sought-after studio men, his own records have never quite achieved the acclaim that critics predicted. His own work has encompassed everything from the simplest pop to the most complex and experimental rock, and this variety has often left audiences confused. Perhaps Todd Rundgren is just too versatile for his own good.