Episode
Justin Hawkins Loves Todd Rundgren
- Published
- Jun 22, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 105
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Summary
Justin Hawkins, frontman of The Darkness, declares Todd Rundgren his prog rock hero, citing Rundgren’s 1972 masterpiece Something/Anything? as a game-changing influence — even Axl Rose calls it his all-time favorite. Hawkins is blown away by Rundgren’s studio genius, like vocally mimicking multiple singers on Wolfman Jack, and his fearless experimentation, including following up a hit album with a sprawling, abstract record. He praises Rundgren’s bold artistic shifts — from piano ballads to prog rock — and his pervasive, often unnoticed impact on American music. Calling him a synth pioneer and guitar hero, Hawkins argues Rundgren fits the prog mold: challenging, unconventional, and unafraid to break rules. Though Hawkins admits he’s never met Rundgren, he sees him as a misunderstood genius with a big ego — the kind of boundary-pushing artist who deserves his hero status. Support the show: Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/6fbb9b19cdd8c288