# Nazz

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American rock band

"The Nazz" redirects here. For the comedy routine based on the story of Jesus Christ, see [Lord Buckley](/source/Lord_Buckley). For other uses, see [Nazz (disambiguation)](/source/Nazz_(disambiguation)).

Nazz Nazz in 1968. Left to right: Carson Van Osten, Stewkey, Todd Rundgren, Thom Mooney. Background information Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Genres Psychedelic rock[1] garage rock[1] power pop[2] Years active 1967–1969 Label SGC Past members Todd Rundgren Carson Van Osten Thom Mooney Stewkey

The **Nazz** was an American [rock](/source/Rock_music) band formed in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) in 1967. The group was founded by guitarist and main songwriter [Todd Rundgren](/source/Todd_Rundgren) and bassist [Carson Van Osten](/source/Carson_Van_Osten).[3] Drummer Thom Mooney and vocalist/keyboardist Robert "Stewkey" Antoni joined soon after. The group is best known for their debut single "Open My Eyes”, and "[Hello It's Me](/source/Hello_It's_Me)".

During 1968 and 1969, the Nazz released two albums (*[Nazz](/source/Nazz_(album))* and *[Nazz Nazz](/source/Nazz_Nazz)*). Following the group's disbandment in 1969, a collection of archival recordings was compiled and released under the title *[Nazz III](/source/Nazz_III)*. Rundgren later re-recorded a solo version of "Hello It's Me" that reached number 5 on the U.S. charts.

## History

### Name and formation

Nazz was formed in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) in 1967.[4] Vocalist/keyboardist Robert Antoni performed and recorded under the [mononym](/source/Mononym) Stewkey, which he said was a nickname he earned because he "was always stewed".[5]

The band took its name from [The Yardbirds](/source/The_Yardbirds)' 1966 song "[The Nazz Are Blue](/source/The_Nazz_Are_Blue)".[6][4][7] There also exists a 1952 monologue, "The Nazz", by the American Beatnik comedian [Lord Buckley](/source/Lord_Buckley),[8] but Rundgren has said that none of the band members were aware of this.[5]

The band's official name on all records and press materials is simply "Nazz", without the [definite article](/source/Definite_article). However, the group also sometimes called themselves "the Nazz". Rundgren stated that "We were formed in the late sixties, so most every band was *the* something. It was always 'the This' or 'the That,' so we were looking for something kind of simple and iconographic, I guess."[9] In the song "Loosen Up", a member introduces the group as "the Nazz, from Philadelphia."[10] Conversely, in a 2019 interview, Mooney and Antoni stated that "Nazz" had always been the correct name.[11]

The group's original managers Jack Warfield and Jerry Bartoff owned a record store in downtown Philadelphia, and the band first rehearsed in a storage room above the record store.[11] The group's first major concert had them opening for [the Doors](/source/The_Doors) on June 18, 1967.[5]

In [Phoenix, Arizona](/source/Phoenix%2C_Arizona), another band called Nazz was formed at about the same time that Nazz was formed in Philadelphia. This group released only one single before moving to Los Angeles and renaming themselves [Alice Cooper](/source/Alice_Cooper_(band)).[12]

### *Nazz*

["Open My Eyes" (1967)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nazz_-_Open_My_Eyes.ogg)

Excerpt from the debut record by Nazz.

*Problems playing this file? See [media help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Media).*

The Nazz were approached at a [Holiday Inn](/source/Holiday_Inn) bar by manager/publicist John Kurland, who was looking for an act to manage and thought they looked like a band. After hearing them play in their space above the record shop, Kurland bargained with Warfield and Bartoff to buy the Nazz out.[5] Kurland and his assistant Michael Friedman marketed the Nazz in a teen magazine along with bands like [the Monkees](/source/The_Monkees). However, the band preferred the heavier rock sounds of [The Who](/source/The_Who) and [Cream](/source/Cream_(band)).[11] Since they actually played in both styles there may have been some conflict among fans about their image.

The band members often complained that Kurland restricted the number of concerts they played; Thom Mooney said in a late 1968 interview that "We haven't played a lot of dates yet, as our management didn't want us overexposed."[5] In a 2019 interview, however, Mooney challenged this complaint by the band, saying that they did have a reasonably loaded tour schedule and that the only reason management did not book them at more shows was because they could not play at bars, being underage.[11]

The group signed with SGC Records, which released *[Nazz](/source/Nazz_(album))* in October 1968.[3] There was talk of putting the album out on the [Colgems](/source/Colgems_Records) label, but the band objected to this as they did not want to be seen as another Monkees, who recorded for Colgems.[5]

### *Nazz Nazz* and *Nazz III*

An attempt at recording in England in January 1969 was cut short when the [Musicians' Union](/source/Musicians'_Union_(United_Kingdom)) found they had not obtained proper permission to record in the country, though before returning to the United States the Nazz did a shopping spree to update their wardrobe, building their definitive look.[11][5] The Nazz then recorded their second album in Los Angeles in late 1968 and early 1969. Sources have claimed the album was originally called "Fungo Bat", but Rundgren, Stewkey, and Mooney have all said "Fungo Bat" was just a [working title](/source/Working_title).[11][5] (A [fungo bat](/source/Fungo_bat) is a special [baseball bat](/source/Baseball_bat) used only for practice; it is not intended to hit pitched balls.)

Due to tensions which emerged during the recording of the album, Van Osten left shortly after it was completed. The Nazz then played a few shows as a trio, with temporary bassists filling Van Osten's slot, before Rundgren quit as well.[5] At this point, the Nazz's second album had still yet to be released. At Stewkey and Mooney's request, the planned [double album](/source/Double_album) was shortened to a single LP before being released as *[Nazz Nazz](/source/Nazz_Nazz)* in May 1969.[3] Much of what was cut was piano-based Rundgren material, influenced by singer/songwriter [Laura Nyro](/source/Laura_Nyro) - a far cry from the group's original [Beatles](/source/The_Beatles)-[Who](/source/The_Who)-[Yardbirds](/source/The_Yardbirds)-[Cream](/source/Cream_(band)) derived sound.[3] For a short time the Nazz continued as a duo, touring with support musicians now covering for both Rundgren and Van Osten, before formally dissolving.

In a 2002 interview Rundgren said of the Nazz's career: "It was brief and very intense. I've made peace with it, but a lot of potential was wasted. I don't really blame any single person for that. I had a hard time focusing on the band, I continued to develop myself as a songwriter and a performer. Eventually everyone would feel like a [backup band](/source/Backup_band) - I was writing the songs, producing the records. As time went on my presence was bound to distort the thing."[5]

*[Nazz III](/source/Nazz_III)* was released in May 1971, over a year after the break-up. It consists primarily of material that was cut from the second album.

## Solo careers and legacy

Todd Rundgren, mid-1970s

Rundgren had a successful career as a solo artist and with the band [Utopia](/source/Utopia_(American_band)). His biggest solo hit was an up-tempo version of "Hello It's Me", from his 1972 *[Something/Anything?](/source/Something%2FAnything%3F)* album, which peaked at #5 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) on 22 December 1973.

Van Osten largely dropped out of music, and worked for decades with [The Walt Disney Company](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company) producing comic books and other media.[13][14]

Stewkey and Mooney reconnected and played with [Fuse](/source/Fuse_(band)) for a brief period using two names, Fuse or Nazz, depending on where they were gigging. Mooney would leave again, and Fuse evolved into "Sick Man of Europe", and later (without Stewkey) [Cheap Trick](/source/Cheap_Trick).[15][16]

The Nazz proved influential on the emerging genre dubbed [power pop](/source/Power_pop), which featured melodic pop songwriting with a more aggressive performance style.[17] They gained wider recognition thanks to the inclusion of "Open My Eyes" on *[Nuggets](/source/Nuggets%3A_Original_Artyfacts_from_the_First_Psychedelic_Era%2C_1965%E2%80%931968)* (1972), an anthology of American 1960s [garage punk](/source/Garage_punk) and [psychedelia](/source/Psychedelia) compiled by musician [Lenny Kaye](/source/Lenny_Kaye). The three Nazz LPs were reissued by [Rhino Records](/source/Rhino_Records) on LP in 1983 and subsequently on CD with bonus demo and outtake tracks. In 2009, Spectra Records released three albums by Nazz. They were *Nazz vs. Toddzila,* *13th and Pine*, (compilation) and *Hello It's Crazy Me*.

In 2011, [the Bangles](/source/The_Bangles) recorded "Open My Eyes" on their album *[Sweetheart of the Sun](/source/Sweetheart_of_the_Sun).* The next year, [King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard](/source/King_Gizzard_%26_the_Lizard_Wizard) also recorded a cover of the song, for the *Nuggets: Antipodean Interpolations of the First Psychedelic Era* compilation.

## In popular culture

- "Open My Eyes" and "Wildwood Blues" by the Nazz are featured on the soundtrack of *[The Mad Room](/source/The_Mad_Room)*, a 1969 horror movie directed by [Bernard Girard](/source/Bernard_Girard).[18]

## Members

- [Todd Rundgren](/source/Todd_Rundgren) – guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards

- [Carson Van Osten](/source/Carson_Van_Osten) – bass guitar, backing vocals (died December 22, 2015)

- Stewkey – lead and backing vocals, keyboards (died October 9, 2023)[19]

- Thom Mooney – drums, occasional backing vocals, percussion

## Discography

### Studio albums

Year Information 1968 Nazz Released: October 1968 Label: SGC Records – SD 5001 Reissued by Rhino – 1983 (LP/Cassette) & 1988 (CD) 1969 Nazz Nazz Released: May 1969 Label: SGC Records – SD 5002 Reissued by Rhino – 1983 (LP/Cassette) & 1988 (CD) 1971 Nazz III Released: July 11, 1971 Label: SGC Records – SD 5004 Reissued by Rhino – 1983 (LP/Cassette) & 1988 (CD)[20]

### Compilation albums

Year Information 1984 Best of Nazz Label: Rhino – RNLP/RNC 116 – 1984 (LP/Cassette) / R1-70116 1989 (CD)[21] 1998 Thirteenth and Pine Label: Distortion Records 2002 Open Our Eyes: The Anthology Label: Sanctuary Records 2006 Nazz Nazz – Including Nazz III – The Fungo Bat Sessions Label: Castle Music Contains both Nazz Nazz and Nazz III albums on 2 CDs and many unreleased tracks

### Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album US Billboard Hot 100 CA RPM Charts 1968 "Open My Eyes" 112 – Nazz 1969 "Hello It's Me" 66[22] 41[23] "Not Wrong Long" – 90[24] Nazz Nazz "Some People"[25] – – Nazz III

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RamoneHerschlag2015_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RamoneHerschlag2015_1-1) Ramone, Marky; Herschlag, Richard (January 13, 2015). [*Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone*](https://books.google.com/books?id=oWpNAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA76). Simon and Schuster. p. 76. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4516-8779-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4516-8779-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Patricia Romanowski Bashe; Romanowski, Patricia; George-Warren, Holly; Pareles, Jon (1995). [*The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll*](https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonee00patr). Fireside. p. [695](https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonee00patr/page/695). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-684-81044-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-684-81044-7).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Larkin_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Larkin_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Larkin_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Larkin_3-3) [Larkin, Colin](/source/Colin_Larkin_(writer)), ed. (1997). *[The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music)* (Concise ed.). [Virgin Books](/source/Virgin_Books). p. 890. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85227-745-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85227-745-9).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Rough_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Rough_4-1) Buckley, Peter (2003). [*The Rough Guide to Rock*](https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PA712). Rough Guides. p. 712. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781843531050](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781843531050).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-OpenAnt_5-9) Tyler, Kieron (2019). *Open Our Eyes: The Anthology* (Booklet). Nazz. Purple Pyramid Records.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Stephen Thomas Erlewine](/source/Stephen_Thomas_Erlewine). ["The Nazz"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-nazz-mn0000377892/biography). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Fogarty, Mark (2012). [*Went to See the Gypsy*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ke2OAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA119). Lulu.com. p. 119. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781105458668](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781105458668).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Evans, Paul. "The Nazz." [The Rolling Stone Album Guide](/source/Rolling_Stone_Album_Guide#Third_edition). Ed. Anthony DeCurtis and James Henke with Holly George-Warren. New York: Random House, 1992. 497.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Kjellmer, Göran; Aijmer, Karin (2001). [*A wealth of English: studies in honour of Göran Kjellmer*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5HhaAAAAMAAJ). Acta Universitatis Gothoburgensis. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-91-7346-398-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-91-7346-398-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** *Nazz III* (Audio). Nazz. SGC Records. 1970.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-StewMoonInt_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-StewMoonInt_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-StewMoonInt_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-StewMoonInt_11-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-StewMoonInt_11-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-StewMoonInt_11-5) Rundgren Radio (January 16, 2020). ["Interview with Stewkey Antoni and Thom Mooney of Nazz Dec 2019"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210828044948/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b23JwnL4-7c). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2022.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [The Nazz](https://alicecoopersingles.jimdofree.com/pre-alice-cooper-related/the-nazz/) *Alice Cooper - The Singles Website*. Retrieved 2021-03-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The Wuzzles Production Cel Setup with Master Production Background | Lot #97396"](https://comics.ha.com/itm/animation-art/production-cel/the-wuzzles-production-cel-setup-with-master-production-background-walt-disney-1985-/a/7207-97396.s). *Heritage Auctions*. Retrieved June 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [*Carson Van Osten – Disney Legends Ceremony – 2015 D23 Expo*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7Rd2waEIs). August 19, 2015. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/2Q7Rd2waEIs) from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2015 – via YouTube.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Nazz biography"](http://www.techwebsound.com/playlistdetail.cfm?artist=381). *Technicolor Web of Sound*. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Cheap Trick line-up history"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141024144442/http://www.classicwebs.com/cheaptrk.htm). Classicwebs.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Earles_17-0)** Earles, Andrew (September 7, 2002). ["Power Pop: The '70s, The Birth Of Uncool - Magnet Magazine"](http://magnetmagazine.com/2002/09/07/power-pop-the-70s-the-birth-of-uncool/). *magnetmagazine.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Michael Weldon. *The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film*. London: Plexus, 1983, p. 444

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [The Nazz](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000377892) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Miscellaneous Atlantic-Distributed Labels"](http://www.bsnpubs.com/atlantic/miscdist.html#sgc). Bsnpubs.com. September 25, 2005. Retrieved August 22, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Rhino Album Discography, Part 2"](http://www.bsnpubs.com/warner/rhino/02rhino100.html). Bsnpubs.com. July 25, 2004. Retrieved August 22, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Billboard Hot 100 - Nazz"](https://www.billboard.com/music/nazz). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved December 5, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["RPM Top 100 Singles - March 24, 1969"](http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5920.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["RPM Charts -April 28, 1969"](http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5963&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5963.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5963). *[Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada)*. July 17, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["The Nazz - Some People / Magic Me - SGC - USA - 45-009"](http://www.45cat.com/record/009). 45cat. Retrieved August 22, 2014.

v t e Todd Rundgren Studio albums Runt (1970) Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren (1971) Something/Anything? (1972) A Wizard, a True Star (1973) Todd (1974) Initiation (1975) Faithful (1976) Hermit of Mink Hollow (1978) Healing (1981) The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (1982) A Cappella (1985) Nearly Human (1989) 2nd Wind (1991) No World Order (1993) The Individualist (1995) With a Twist... (1997) One Long Year (2000) Liars (2004) Arena (2008) Todd Rundgren's Johnson (2011) (re)Production (2011) State (2013) Global (2015) Runddans (2015) White Knight (2017) Space Force (2022) with Utopia Todd Rundgren's Utopia (1974) Ra (1977) Oops! Wrong Planet (1977) Adventures in Utopia (1979) Deface the Music (1980) Swing to the Right (1982) Utopia (1982) Oblivion (1984) POV (1985) Disco Jets (2001) Live albums Another Live (with Utopia) (1975) Back to the Bars (1978) Redux '92: Live in Japan (1993) (with Utopia) Liars Live (2006) Todd (2010) Healing (2010) Todd Rundgren's Johnson Live (2013) At the BBC 1972-1982 (2014) An Evening with Todd Rundgren: Live at the Ridgefield (2016) A Wizard a True Star...Live! (rec. 2009, rel. 2020) The Individualist, a True Star Live (2023) Singles "We Got to Get You a Woman" "I Saw the Light" "Couldn't I Just Tell You" "Hello It's Me" "Good Vibrations" "Can We Still Be Friends" "Bang the Drum All Day" "Flappie" Other songs "Dreams of Ordinary Men" "Kissing with Confidence" "Love Is the Answer" "Shake a Fist" "Western Girls" Album productions Great Speckled Bird (1969, Great Speckled Bird) Stage Fright (1970, the Band) Straight Up (1971, Badfinger) Halfnelson (1971, Halfnelson/Sparks) New York Dolls (1973, New York Dolls) We're an American Band (1973, Grand Funk Railroad) Mothers Pride (1973, Fanny) Shinin' On (1974, Grand Funk Railroad) War Babies (1974, Hall & Oates) Felix Cavaliere (1974, Felix Cavaliere) L (1976, Steve Hillage) Bat Out of Hell (1977, Meat Loaf) Remote Control (1979, the Tubes) TRB Two (1979, Tom Robinson Band) Wave (1979, Patti Smith Group) Wasp (1980, Shaun Cassidy) Bad for Good (1981, Jim Steinman) That's What Friends Are For (1981, the Moondogs) Forever Now (1982, the Psychedelic Furs) Party of Two (1983, the Rubinoos) Next Position Please (1983, Cheap Trick) Watch Dog (1983, Jules Shear) Love Bomb (1985, the Tubes) What Is This? (1985, What Is This?) Skylarking (1986, XTC) Dreams of Ordinary Men (1986, Dragon) Love Junk (1988, the Pursuit of Happiness) Things Here Are Different (1990, Jill Sobule) One Sided Story (1990, the Pursuit of Happiness) The World's Most Dangerous Party (1993, Paul Shaffer & the Party Boys of Rock 'n' Roll) Halfway Down the Sky (1999, Splender) The New America (2000, Bad Religion) Separation Anxieties (2000, 12 Rods) Cause I Sez So (2009, New York Dolls) Related articles Discography Bebe Buell Daryl Hall Nazz The New Cars (It's Alive!) Liv Tyler Up Against It!

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States Artists MusicBrainz Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.