Editing Todd Rundgren (section)

== Solo Career ==

Rundgren's solo career, beginning with "Runt" (1970), demonstrated range that the Nazz's power pop had not suggested. Albums including "Something/Anything?" (1972), which he performed and produced almost entirely alone, showcased abilities as songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer that few artists could match. "Hello It's Me" reached the top five, establishing commercial viability while more experimental tracks on the same album demonstrated ambitions that pop success alone could not satisfy.<ref name="ross"/>

His subsequent work explored progressive rock, electronic music, and conceptual approaches that alienated some fans who preferred his pop material. Albums with his band Utopia pursued increasingly complex music, while solo releases alternated between accessible and challenging material. This refusal to repeat successful formulas frustrated listeners and labels seeking commercial consistency, but reflected artistic convictions that Rundgren prioritized over career management.<ref name="loder"/>

His pioneering interest in technology—including early adoption of video and interactive media—anticipated developments that would later become mainstream. His interactive album "No World Order" (1993) allowed listeners to remix tracks using custom software, demonstrating approaches that streaming and digital distribution would later make more accessible. This technological curiosity, evident throughout his career, distinguished him from contemporaries whose interests remained purely musical.<ref name="ross"/>