Rock ‘n’ Roll High School 11: Who Knew Todd Rundgren Was Such a Hottie?

This week’s RNRHS is from Regina Joskow, one of my oldest (as in we’ve been friends for a long time) and dearest friends. Regina was one of the amazing women that I looked up to when I got my first music biz job and she was similarly in love with Soul Asylum, so we had much over which to bond. On top of that, her birthday is the day after mine, so we are astrologically in synch. I had to send Regina a note yesterday afternoon while I was trolling the internet for photos of Todd Rundgren–I never realized exactly how hot Todd Rundgren was in his day.  I mean, if you’re into that whole scrawny rock god thing, and yes, Regina and I have been known to be into that.

Regina Joskow

Bronx, NY, Currently: Independent Publicist

Band and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: My twin obsessions were the Ramones and Todd Rundgren. I spent every cent I made at my after-school job at Weber’s Bake Shop on records, concert tickets and magazines so I could indulge my crazy fandom.

Favorite piece of music memorabilia (poster, t-shirt, etc.) in high school: I had a huge poster of the Rolling Stones on the wall over my bed. My father used to call Mick Jagger “the man from the planet of the apes,” which I thought was hilarious. I actually covered every square inch of my walls (at least what I could reach) with pictures I cut out of Creem Magazine, Trouser Press and Rock Scene. It was a little over the top, but I thought it was the coolest. I had a t-shirt from the Johnny Blitz benefit at CBGB in 1978 that I was particularly fond of. Johnny was the drummer of the Dead Boys, who was injured in a knife fight, and because he had no money and no insurance, a bunch of bands put together a benefit to raise money for his hospital bills. The benefit took place over three nights and I was lucky enough to attend one of them. I still have the remains of that t-shirt, though I’m shocked that I ever had the chutzpah to wear something that’s essentially the size of a handkerchief as a top (of course, I customized it and cut off the bottom, the sleeves and the neck band).

Band that you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love: There were a few: Boston, Kansas, and Styx come to mind. I hated all of these with a burning passion. I’ve come around to appreciating the first Boston album, but the mere thought of Styx and Kansas is enough to give me hives.

Best show or concert you saw in high school: I had the dumb luck of being best friends with a girl whose sister worked at CBGB, so she got us into a bunch of shows that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise — and even if I had known about them, there was no way I would have been able to get in to any of them. Television made a huge impression on me, as did Patti Smith, who’s still one of my musical heroes. I have very vivid memories of seeing Television open for Peter Gabriel at the Capitol Theater, and of Gabriel’s fans throwing things at the stage and yelling for Television to get off. It was really quite traumatic at the time. I think the most memorable arena show was the Rolling Stones at Madison Square Garden for the “Some Girls” tour. I also remember what a trip it was to see the Clash open for the Who at Shea Stadium: David Johansen was on first, and the stands were almost empty. By the time the Clash came on, the stadium was full, but most people had no interest in the Clash, and kept chanting for the Who. This was after Keith Moon’s passing, and I had little interest in seeing the Who with Kenney Jones. If my friend Maria hadn’t insisted that we stay, I would have bailed.

Best high school make-out song (optional!): I honestly don’t remember.