The latest in series of controversial statements, Todd Rundgren claimed that Taylor Swift has “ruined music”.
When asked by Vulture magazine if there was an artist he’d make fun of if he were producing an album in 2026, the iconic rocker said:
“Taylor Swift, of course.” “There’s an argument to be made that she ruined music. It’s an understandable phenomenon. It’s just that, to me, Taylor Swift is the apotheosis of mediocrity. It’s the era of the female artists.”
Not the first time Rundgren has belittled those more successful them himself, the resentful musician felt Meat Loaf’s 1977 album Bat Out of Hell was a parody of Bruce Springsteen’s music.
Emphasizing his preference for Lady Gaga and other pop stars, the now 78-year old artist said:
“Lady Gaga, she’s a real musician. She’s a classically trained piano player.” “Taylor Swift doesn’t do anything particularly great except grow hair. She’s not a great singer. She’s not a great songwriter. She’s not a great dancer.”
Conceding that Swift is a “role model,” however, Todd added “She’s a role model for what was a very young generation of women, and now for those women’s daughters as well, because it’s mothers and daughters going to Taylor Swift shows.”
Winning Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday night (9.27,) Taylor was honored with the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director trophy.
At press time, representatives for Taylor Swift have not yet responded to Rundgren’s comments.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Carl Lender