Sign in | Register now Like us on FacebookLike Us | Follow us on TwitterFollow Us

Milwaukee's Daily Magazine for Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tue
Hi: 74
Lo: 49
Wed
Hi: 84
Lo: 59
Thu

Lo: 64
Advertise on OnMilwaukee.com

In Festival Guide Blogs

Rundgren and his band played a high-energy lineup of songs; unfortunately, it didn't include "Bang The Drum All Day."

In Festival Guide Blogs

The encore came and went, leaving Packers fans in the crowd without the sweet sounds of the endzone.

Todd Rundgren leaves Packers fans disappointed


On the last night of the festival, at the last show of the night, a group of individuals – including myself – patiently waited for the Potawatomi Stage to darken.

Geared up in the finest Packers swag, we had arrived for Todd Rundgren to perform his iconic song "Bang The Drum All Day" and a chance to relive our memories of all those times during the football season that Aaron Rodgers would pass, hand-off or sneak his way to another touchdown.

What does this have to do with Todd Rundgren? Rundgren's song "Bang on the Drum" is, for the team's fans, synonymous with Packers touchdowns.

When the lights finally lowered we knew that it was only a matter of time before we would get what we had come there to see, but we knew we would have to wait.

For those that are not aware of Rundgren's success, he started out in the 1970s as a new-pop type of hybrid singer. His double LP "Something/Anything" reached gold status in 1972, and the songs "I Saw The Light" and "Hello It's Me" became some of his greatest and most memorable songs.

Rundgren has also been prolific in his behind-the-scenes work as a producer and engineer for other popular acts such as The Band, Meat Loaf and Grand Funk Railroad.

When the 1980s arrived he changed up his style to a more synthetic sound and it was during this time that he wrote and produced his most iconic song for Packers fans, "Bang The Drum All Day."

This song has become synonymous with Packer touchdowns at Lambeau Field, and at many other sporting events across the country. "Bang The Drum All Day" has also become a staple of the anti-work attitude and is almost always featured in the Friday drive on most classic rock stations.

The Potawatomi stage is one of the smaller stages at Summerfest so we were pretty excited about having a decent view of the stage even though we were a bit farther back. Rundgren came out to raucous applause like he was ready to party, and the band immediately shot into the opening song with high energy and the promise of an interesting show.

Song after song went by. Rundgren mentioned that the band as well as himself were tired of playing the "new" stuff and just wanted to play the stuff that Rundgren fans would want to hear if the band took requests. I thought this was a sign of drum-banging sweetness for sure.

The band played on. Only a few people in the crowd knew the words for all the songs he sang. We were starting to get doubtful as the group walked off stage. We thought the encore would prove us wrong. There was no way Rundgren would perform in Wisconsin and not play the drum song, right?

The encore came and went. The lights of the Potawatomi Stage came on. We stood there in disbelief. The roadies began taking down the equipment. "At least play the godd*mn CD," I heard one guy yell.

We came this far; it can't be over, right? Unfortunately, it was over. It also marked the last day of Summerfest.

On the way out we stopped by a few vendors and most of the food was sold out. I guess a lemonade and disappointment would be my late night consolation.


Talkbacks

gregrnel | July 13, 2011 at 9:04 a.m. (report)

I love that he didn't play it, funny stuff. He probably doesn't care about the NFL. Anyway, it's a terrible song that I'm sure he wishes would just go away. Great show, Todd, for a guy in his 60's he can still turn it on.

Rate this:
  • Average rating: 0.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
1 comment about this article.
Post a comment / write a review.

Facebook Comments

Disclaimer: Please note that Facebook comments are posted through Facebook and cannot be approved, edited or declined by OnMilwaukee.com. The opinions expressed in Facebook comments do not necessarily reflect those of OnMilwaukee.com or its staff.