UTOPIA was a Progressive Rock outfit initiated by the eclectic genius TODD RUNDGREN during 1974. Over the course of the band's career it would evolve from a multi-faceted three keyboard leviathan backing Rundgren into a mainstream, commercial Hard Rock act until an untimely demise in 1985. The opening October 1974 'Todd Rundgren's Utopia' album for Bearsville, comprising just four leviathan and mostly instrumental tracks including the half hour finale of 'The Ikon', was recorded with a line-up of Rundgren, keyboard player Ralph Shuckett, bassist John Siegler, keyboardist Moogy Klingman, M. Frog Labat on synthesizers and drummer Kevin Ellman. 'Todd Rundgren's Utopia' breached the Billboard charts at no. 34 despite many critics finding the entire episode tedious or just plain confusing. Running parallel to Rundgren's own solo activities the UTOPIA debut surfaced within weeks of his own 'Todd' opus.

Taking the UTOPIA project on the road Rundgren gave the musicians free rein to experiment, the unstructured concerts intriguing fans with a heady blend of keyboard work outs, unpredictable computer generated themes all backed by experimental film work. Somehow this all transferred to a live album, 'Another Live' featuring a take on THE MOVE's 'Do Ya' and even a stab at 'Something's Coming' from the musical 'West Side Story', was cut after Labat had departed. In 1976 UTOPIA underwent a drastic overhaul with Klingman, Shuckett, Elliman and Siegler all departing. left. KASIM SULTAN enrolled as the new bassist for recording of the heavyweight 'Ra' album issued in February of 1977, a direction maintained with the follow up 'Oops, Wrong Planet'. Of course, Rundgren's profile would be further heightened with his groundbreaking production work on MEAT LOAF's blockbuster 'Bat Out Of Hell' epic. Sultan also gained a credit as session bassist.

In January of 1980 'Adventures In Utopia' scored the biggest commercial success for the band, propelled by the hit single 'Set Me Free' - vocalised by Sultan, which very nearly gave UTOPIA a top thirty record. Although the chart position was not that impressive its sustained run of over twenty weeks in the album charts generated healthy sales and a new fanbase. Aiming to capitalise on this momentum UTOPIA issued the quick fire 'Deface The Music' that same October but this rather oblique satire on THE BEATLES misfired.

1982's politically charged 'Swing To The Right' did little to revive UTOPIA's fortunes but wresting free of the Bearsville label the New Wave infused 'Utopia' record, released by Network Records, did see sales buoy once again and radio impact made with the single 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now'. Network folded within a year of operation and UTOPIA shifted base to Passport Records for January 1984's 'Oblivion', this outing seeing a return to arena Rock. As it seemed the band's career path was back on a rise the 'POV' album hit a brick wall, not even making the top 100. Rundgren duly called a halt to proceedings and re-prioritised his solo efforts. A posthumous compilation, 1987's 'Trivia', included two previously unreleased tracks in 'Monument' and 'Fix Your Gaze'. UTOPIA did reform for a one off Far Eastern tour, captured on the Rhino album 'Redux '92: Live in Japan'.

KASIM SULTAN worked with JOAN JETT on her 1986 'Good Music' record, formed PRICE/SULTON with ex-SCANDAL drummer Thommy Price and was briefly a stand in member of BLUE OYSTER CULT. The four stringer also issued a solo album. In the early 90's Sultan was seemingly in the frame to join BON JOVI as a replacement for Alec John Such, but the job went to longtime band associate and fellow sessioneer Hugh McDonald. The bassist would end up touring with BON JOVI guitarist RICHIE SAMBORA during the Summer of 1998.