Along with being a hitmaker in the '70s, Todd Rundgren made a reputation in the late '60s as an ace producer, working with the likes of the New York Dolls, Hall & Oates, Patti Smith, Bad Religion, Cheap Trick and The Psychedelic.

Last week he talked about the three signature records in his production catalog:

Grand Funk Railroad, "We're an American Band" (1969):

"That was remarkable from the standpoint of negative expectations to start with. Everyone who had a critical voice thought that Grand Funk [stunk]. And it turned out that it was just a factor of terrible record production. Their manager had insisted on making their records, and he had a tin ear. Their records were bloated and sounded all thin. The band had talents that most people were unaware of.

"What was amazing was the game plan they had and how flawlessly it was executed. The plan was that we would record the single, release the single and then go in and make the rest of the record. We recorded most of 'We're an American Band' the first day, finished it the second day. In those days, you could have a hit record based on orders from distributors. So, not a single person had bought one but you were already in the Top 20.

"Before we even finished the record, the single had already charted and it was in the Top 10. It was one of the most unbelievable things I'd ever experienced -- working the system to that extent. And most people thought it sounded like a brand new band."

Meat Loaf, "Bat Out of Hell" (1977):

"In that particular instance, it was the exact opposite. ... I had to find the financing to get the record made, and it took me another six months to a year after the record was finished to even find a label to put it out. I did it not because it was commercial and we thought we'd all make a lot of money. I don't think anybody thought that. I did it because at the time Bruce Springsteen was one of the hottest artists and I thought it was a spoof of Bruce Springsteen."

XTC, "Skylarking" (1986):

"In terms of the content of the record, 'Skylarking" was probably a standout. People just fell incredibly head over heals over the record itself. And it was a case where Andy Partridge was actually sabotaging the record because he didn't like the experience of making it for a number of reasons. The band had been given an ultimatum by the record company, which was 'straighten up and give us a record that would shore up your audience, and you need to get a record producer and you need to listen to him.'

"Andy's methodology in the past was just wear the producer out. ... So I told the band when I came in that I would survive the record. I would not be driven away. ... It got to a certain point where it was a battle of wills between me and Andy. When it came time to finish the record, they were so exhausted with the process. They were tired and homesick after a few months and they just let me finish mixing the record. ... Andy already had it in his head that this record [stinks] and I'm going to go home and bitch to everyone about it. He went off in the press. Then the record comes out and it's considered one of the best XTC records in years. He's had to eat several plates of his own words ... and eventually has admitted that it was not only one of their best records, but it saved their careers."

-- Scott Mervis