Record Store Day has worked hard over its 16 year tenure to support some of the most impactful charities and social initiatives on radar. Today, in conjunction with Marshall Headphones & Speakers, Record Store Day announces a donation to Todd Rundgren’s Spirit of Harmony Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to emphasize the moral imperative of music education.
Rundgren’s classic album A Wizard, a True Star sees a special 50th Anniversary release on April 22 as part of Record Store Day, the celebration of independent record stores. US organizers have pledged to donate $1 per copy sold of the stunningly beautiful reissue at US record stores that weekend to the Spirit of Harmony Foundation, combined with a generous donation from Marshall Headphones & Speakers.
The donation will be presented to Rundgren later this summer by Record Store Day co-founder, Michael Kurtz. Kurtz says “I grew up with Todd’s music, and more importantly, the message found in much of his music. It’s a real honor to be able to lend support to his efforts to provide financial support for music education and appreciation in the classrooms through the Spirit of Harmony Foundation. To me, it’s just one victory, but an important one.”
"We’re proud to be able to support Todd Rundgren's Spirit of Harmony Foundation. The impact grassroots foundations like this offer often reaches beyond music to the communities as well as the children: developing their creative, communication and life-skills and offering a safe place centered around the joy of music," says Peter Wijk, Brand Director of Marshall Headphones and Speakers.
Todd Rundgren adds “I can’t over-emphasize the importance of the brand association with Marshall. Modern music would have evolved in a different direction were it not for the ‘sound’ that every aspiring guitarist wanted- and it was stackable! To have them on our side brings the legacy of thousands of performances behind us and we are truly grateful.”
The Spirit of Harmony director, Jean Lachowicz adds, "The Spirit of Harmony is very grateful to Record Store Day and Marshall for their generous support of Music Education Advocacy, and we thank them for investing in today’s children by encouraging their enthusiasm about creating and listening to music."
About A Wizard, a True Star
Released 50 years ago, A Wizard a True Star, wasn’t a smash commercial success. What it was was a musical template for artists who are truly creative, honest, and bold. Recorded in Todd’s nascent NYC studio with music partner Moogy Klingman (You Got To Have Friends and Dust In the Wind) among others, the album pushed musical boundaries in unexpected ways. It was an education for those people who were curious enough to go there. Recently, those people include the likes of Tame Impala and Daft Punk. The Record Store Day 50th Anniversary edition is pressed on vinyl that explodes with color and is packaged with the original dye-cut psychedelic album cover , complete with a Patti Smith poem written on a bandaid.
About Record Store Day
Record Store Day, the organization, is managed by the Department of Record Stores and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and promotes independent record stores year-round with events, special releases and other fun things.
Record Store Day, the global celebration of the culture of the record store, takes place annually. The 16th Record Store Day is coming up on April 22, 2023.
About Marshall
Marshall is a true rock legend. A distinct and expressive sound combined with an iconic stage presence that has inspired music fans around the world for over five decades. This unparalleled amount of wisdom has been distilled and fused into every part of Marshall headphones and speakers. Nothing has been compromised when expanding the Marshall heritage of big stage performance to the individual enjoyment of good music.
The legacy began in a small Hanwell drum shop in the 1960s, where Jim Marshall sought to give a bunch of then-local guitarists the sound they wanted – a sound that was harder, crunchier and more rich. The result was the JTM45, an amp that reverberated with a sound that was much heavier than anything ever heard before. In a twist of rock and roll fate – those guitarists, much like the Marshall name, would go on to revolutionize music forever.
Record Store Day Sponsors:
ADA, BCW Supplies, Crosley Turntables, Dogfish Head Brewery, Furnace Record Pressing, Glowtronics, InGrooves, Music Business Association, Marshall Headphones and Speakers, MVD Entertainment, The Orchard, Redeye Distribution, Sony Music, ThinkIndie, Traffic Distribution, URP Distribution, Vinyl Styl, WMX
For more information, logos, full list of RSD 2023 titles and participating stores visit recordstoreday.com
