[photo: Jim Snyder, Summerfest, Milwaukee, 2011] A friend writes: Was Rundgren good? Hadn't seen him since college, long, long ago.... TR: I didn't realize until I got down there that it was a total UTOPIA gig (tour details, reviews here). Great show if you love prog-rock. Todd dressed in HOWLINGLY GARISH PSYCHEDELIC LEATHER COWBOY CHAPS beneath UNIRONIC NIXONIAN JOWLS. I've never been fond of this "take me seriously" sideshow, the overly mannered, elaborate, complicated and garrulous third of his career. But not many in the audience seemed … [Read more...]

                        Universal Music is close to sealing a $1.5 bn-plus deal to buy EMI Music, home to acts including the Beatles and Coldplay, with owner Citigrouppushing for negotiations to be concluded by the weekend. The company is the only bidder still in the running to buy EMI's recorded music division after Warner Music, widely considered the favourite, took its $1.5bn (£944m) offer off the table after talks broke down with … [Read more...]