Todd Rundgren recalls that seeing British guitarist Jeff Beck perform with The Yardbirds changed his musical outlook, displacing the polished pop idols he had previously admired. Beck’s aggressive, experimental style showed Rundgren that guitar playing could be louder, wilder and more expressive, influencing his approach as a musician and producer.

Rundgren had initially been drawn to mainstream acts such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but described Beck as a musician who made those earlier heroes seem less important. Beck joined The Yardbirds in 1965, replacing Eric Clapton, and helped steer the band towards a heavier, more adventurous sound before leaving in 1966 to form the Jeff Beck Group.