Groove – Episode #87: Kasim Sulton

He is recognized as one of the most distinguished bass players working in music today. For close to 50 years, Kasim Sulton has made his mark on your daily playlists, whether you know it or not. Kasim played on albums that – total in sales of more than 85 million copies. In addition to having been Todd Rundgren’s go-to bass player in Utopia and his various solo projects, Sulton has been a valued band member for artists like Meat Loaf (for whom he also served as music director for 10 years), Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick, Patty Smyth, former Eagles guitarist Don Felder, and Blue Öyster Cult… and there’s a lot more to his discography.

With Utopia, Kasim’s dreams came true by way of sold-out world tours, creatively satisfying album projects, and majestic chart appearances. Kasim also happens to hold the fine distinction of being the lead singer on Utopia’s lone Top 40 single, “Set Me Free”, which made it all the way to No. 27 in 1980. He even garnered a solo hit under his own name in 1982, when the horn-driven “Don’t Break My Heart” made its way into the Canadian Top 40 singles chart.

This year, Kasim releases a fictional series podcast loosely based on his life both on and off the road. UnSung is a smart comedic look at the life of a successful musician who constantly juggles his time between being a Rockstar and the all too familiar struggles of parenthood, did we mention he nearly dies on stage? This is all hot on the heels of his last solo album, Kasim 2021.

Enjoy the conversation…