The Nazz (psych rock, garage rock, power pop / USA)

The Nazz was an American rock band formed in Philadelphia in 1967. They were founded by guitarist and principal songwriter Todd Rundgren and bassist Carson Van Osten. Drummer Thom Mooney and vocalist/keyboardist Robert "Stewkey" Antoni joined before their first concert, opening for the Doors in 1967. They are best known for their debut single "Open My Eyes" backed with "Hello It's Me".

Their name was derived from the Yardbirds' song "The Nazz Are Blue". Although the use of a definite article was intended, the band was credited simply as "Nazz" on their records and promotional materials. Between 1968 and 1970, Nazz released three albums (Nazz (1968), Nazz Nazz (1969), and Nazz III (1971)). Disillusioned, Rundgren departed the group, along with Van Osten. Following the group's disbandment in 1969, Rundgren pursued a solo career, and in 1972, recorded a new version of "Hello It's Me" that reached number 5 on the U.S. charts.

Nazz was marketed by their original manager, Michael Friedman, as a teenybopper band along the lines of the Monkees.

Nazz is featured on the soundtrack of The Mad Room, a 1969 horror movie directed by Bernard Girard.

Years active: 1967-1969

Name and formation: 

Some sources say the band took its name from the Yardbirds' 1966 song "The Nazz Are Blue", other sources say the name came from a 1952 monologue, "The Nazz", by the American Beatnik comedian Lord Buckley, and other sources say that both "The Nazz Are Blue" and Rundgren's band are named after Lord Buckley's monologue.

The band's name on all records and press materials is simply "Nazz", without the definite article. However, the group referred to themselves as "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. In their song "Loosen Up", they introduce themselves as "the Nazz, from Philadelphia."

In Phoenix, 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.

Past members: 

Todd Rundgren (guitar), Carson Van Osten (bass guitar), Thom Mooney (drums), Robert "Stewkey" Antoni (vocals, keyboards)

Open My Eyes: https://youtu.be/PjKx-yLOGEY :

Source: wikipedia