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A Wizard, a True Star

by Todd Rundgren

Released: March 02, 1973

Progressive pop, psychedelic rock, psychedelic pop, avant-pop, R&B

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

It marked a significant departure from his previous album, "Something/Anything?", wherein Rundgren largely embraced a more experimental, psychedelic sound. "A Wizard, a True Star" is a progressive rock album by American artist, Todd Rundgren, released on March 2, 1973. The album features a loose framework with Rundgren straying from the traditional pop song structure, clustering tracks together and keeping each side of the album to a singular theme such as introspection and love.

Inside the Recording

Rundgren produced, engineered, and played all the instruments on nearly every track, making "A Wizard, a True Star" one of the earliest examples of an album created almost entirely by one person.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Amongst its 19 tracks, "A Wizard, a True…

Amongst its 19 tracks, "A Wizard, a True Star" includes a medley of covers of soul classics, a trait matching with Rundgren's deep admiration for ‘60s soul and R&B music.

The album's bold experimentation greatly influenced Rundgren's subsequent…

The album's bold experimentation greatly influenced Rundgren's subsequent work and has been acknowledged as an influence by a range of artists from diverse genres.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, a True Star

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Then

Reception

Despite earning a mixed critical response upon its release, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of progressive pop and an essential record in Rundgren's vast discography.

Now

Legacy

It has even gained a prominent cult following.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"A Wizard, a True Star" is a progressive rock album by American artist, Todd Rundgren, released on March 2, 1973. It marked a significant departure from his previous album, "Something/Anything?", wherein Rundgren largely embraced a more experimental, psychedelic sound.

Rundgren produced, engineered, and played all the instruments on nearly every track, making "A Wizard, a True Star" one of the earliest examples of an album created almost entirely by one person. The album features a loose framework with Rundgren straying from the traditional pop song structure, clustering tracks together and keeping each side of the album to a singular theme such as introspection and love.

Amongst its 19 tracks, "A Wizard, a True Star" includes a medley of covers of soul classics, a trait matching with Rundgren's deep admiration for ‘60s soul and R&B music.

Despite earning a mixed critical response upon its release, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of progressive pop and an essential record in Rundgren's vast discography. It has even gained a prominent cult following. The album's bold experimentation greatly influenced Rundgren's subsequent work and has been acknowledged as an influence by a range of artists from diverse genres.