Pop quiz: Who produced the first music only interactive CD-Rom? If you answered 'Todd Rundgren' and his No World Order production, you win. Todd has been in the music business since the '60s, but he's never been satisfied with the status quo. We could spend pages just talking about his music, but let's look at his involvement in interactive media.
Todd got into computer programming back in the '70s. This opened up new artistic opportunities for his music. He started his own video studio, Utopia, back in 1979, with his first project being a showcase for RCA's new videodisc format, SelectaVision. His music video, 'Time Heals' was the first to combine computer graphics & live action (& the 2nd video ever shown on the fledgling MTV), but he later eased out of the music video producing, not liking the MTV direction it was headed in.
1993 brought the release of No World Order which won the Academy of Interactive Arts 'Best Composition/Arrangement Award', & Video Magazine's 'Best Interactive Disc of the Year' award, both in 1994. This interactive CD contains numerous alternative music segments, so the listener can create his own version of a song. Rundgren likened it to 'musical Legos'. With the availability of CD-E (enhanced CDs), Todd produced The Individualist in 1995, later winning 'Best of Show' at the 1996 Digital Hollywood. This disc offered 10 songs, along with 10 'visual experiences'. You can use footage from the No World Order tour to create your own music videos, or sing along using the interactive lyrics.
Todd's latest foray in the interactive media department is his own Website. Nothing new about that, you say? Well, PatroNet allows subscribers to download Todd's work as he creates it. You can enjoy multiple versions of a song, see how the creative process takes place, and keep Todd going, of course. (That's what patrons are for, no?) You can check out subscription information at TR-I. And for those who can't get enough of Todd, visit The Todd Rundgren Connection.