Mark “Moogy” Klingman was a musicians’ musician, his songs recorded by rock, blues and pop elite – “I’m A Free Man” by James Cotton, “Ain’t That A Kindness” by Johnny Winter, “Just A Sinner” by Carly Simon, “Let Me Just Follow” by Bette Midler, “Friends” by Midler and Barry Manilow – and served as a musical director for various artists and projects, also producing and playing keyboards. Moogy toured with Lou Reed and played with his pal Andy Kaufman, but it’s another of Klingman’s buddies, Todd Rundgren, that he’s always associated with. Mark’s stint with the latter’s UTOPIA may not have been long, spanning the band’s first years and two albums, yet when the veteran fell ill, Todd organized concerts to raise funds for his medical expenses – in January and November of 2011. Unfortunately, Moogy died from cancer three days before the second one, on November 15th. Both were recorded, though, and May 1st will see the release of a 4CD/2DVD box set comprising the two sets.
