Moogy Klingman

Moogy Klingman
Associated acts	Utopia

Mark "Moogy" Klingman (born 7 September 1950, in New York City, New York, USA), was a founding member of Todd Rundgren's musical team Utopia and later became a solo recording artist and songwriter.

History

The biography of Mark Klingman, and how he acquired his nickname of "Moogy," were not widely known as of January 2010.^{[citation needed]} Although "Moogy" is pronounced "Moo-Gee", he and his nickname rose to fame as Moog synthesizers dominated the market for his main instrument, electronic keyboards.

Klingman grew up in the Long Island suburb of Great Neck, New York. By age 10 he was collecting not just the usual comic books but 45rpm records, playing DJ in his basement. Through his older sister, he got an access pass to attend the 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance where Bob Dylan famously "went electric," hanging out with Dylan before and after.^[1] Back home, his band The Living Few recorded a demo of Dylan songs and original tunes. Then, at 16, he joined Jimmy James and the Blue Flames with Jimi Hendrix and Randy California. His jug band performance with schoolmate Andy Kaufman in a controversial civil rights concert resulted in his expulsion from high school. By then, his band Glitterhouse had made records with the star producer Bob Crewe, as well as Crewe's soundtrack to the 1968 Roger Vadim film Barbarella with Jane Fonda.^[2]

Klingman's association with Todd Rundgren commenced in 1969. Moogy was the original keyboardist for Todd Rundgren and Utopia. In his Manhattan loft, he and Rundgren constructed the "Secret Sound" recording studio where Rundgren produced his A Wizard, A True Star, Todd, and other albums.^[3] He played on 10 Todd Rundgren albums, as well as several Utopia albums.

Klingman played keyboards and produced a record for Bob Dylan - "Buckets of Rain" - a duet Dylan did with Bette Midler. Through Rundgren, Klingman became the executive producer and musical director of the Music From Free Creek "supersession" project, which featured the participation of such internationally renowned artists as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keith Emerson, Mitch Mitchell, Harvey Mandel and Linda Ronstadt.^[4]

He has also played live for Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Buzzy Linhart and in the 90's - with members of the Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule and a summer tour with blues legend, Bo Diddley.

Klingman has performed at many legendary venues with various groups. From Carnegie Hall to Radio City Music hall from NYC's Bottom line to Live radio concerts on WBAI FM and K-ROCK.

Klingman is the co-founder of the band The Peaceniks, along with Barry Gruber.

Klingman has had solo albums out on Capitol and EMI records, as well as on his own label. Klingman has released several solo albums containing songs that went on to be recorded by people like Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren and others. He wrote the song "Dust in the Wind" (not to be confused with the hit song of the same name by Kansas), which Todd Rundgren recorded on his Something/Anything? album and Guns N' Roses have occasionally performed live in concert.

Klingman collaborated with William "Buzzy" Linhart on the authorship and composition of the selection (You Got To Have) Friends, which soon became Bette Midler's de facto theme song. He produced and played keyboards for Midler on her "Songs for the New Depression".

Klingman has played, recorded and/or had his songs covered by many rock legends, including Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Luther Vandross, Bob Dylan, Bo Diddley, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Allan Woody and Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers & Gov't Mule. Klingman has also worked with great female rockers like Carly Simon, Cindy Lauper, Shawn Colvin, Irene Cara, and Thelma Houston.

Klingman also played in the "Moogy/Woody Band" with Allman Brothers alumni Allan Woody, and Warren Haynes.

A recent benefit concert (Feb 2011) for Klingman's medical expenses due to cancer saw the original Todd Rundgren's Utopia, featuring Ralph Schuckett, Kevin Ellman, John Siegler and Klingman, reunite on stage for the first time in well over thirty years.

References

1. ^ http://www.thebluegrassspecial.com/archive/2011/jan2011/moogy-klingman-michael-sigman.php
2. ^ [http://www.answers.com/topic/moogy-klingman
3. ^ [http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/12/utopia-reunited-todd-rundgren-gets-the-band-back-for-musician-w/ news item on 2011 fundraiser concert
4. ^ Interview with Moogy Klingman by I.C. Timerow, 2001; www.moogymusic.com.

External links

• Moogy Klingman's official website
• Moogy Klingman Discography
• Moogy's official myspace page
• Moogy Klingman 2007 audio interview on RundgrenRadio.com
• Moogy Klingman 2009 audio interview on RundgrenRadio.com
• Moogy Klingman 2010 audio interview on RundgrenRadio.com
• Video of Moogy Music performing the song Alligator On My Trail
• Video of Moogy Music performing the song Let Me Just Follow Behind

Persondata
Name	Klingman, Moogy
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Date of birth	7 September 1950
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