Upstate New York-bred, LA-based singer-songwriter Sam Kogon has released a fresh take on Todd Rundgren’s iconic track “Open My Eyes,” out now via all digital platforms. Known for fronting the revived baroque pop legends The Left Banke and collaborating with Beach Boys icon Al Jardine, Kogon brings a modern edge to the 1968 classic with a version personally approved by Rundgren himself. The track serves as a bridge between Kogon’s East Coast heritage—having grown up near the legendary Bearsville and Utopia studios—and his current West Coast creative output. The release also carries historical weight as a collaboration with Eventide Audio, celebrating the song’s legacy as a catalyst for early tape flanging effects.
The project came together through producer Stuart Lerman, who met Kogon while he was acting in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman. Kogon’s performance captures the distinctive style of the original while showcasing the vocal prowess that previously earned his single “Barbed Wire” the title of “Coolest Song In The World” on SiriusXM. This cover follows the critical success of his 2024 single “America” and sets the stage for his forthcoming full-length album, recorded with renowned producer John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr.) at the legendary Dreamland Studios. With the official blessing of both Eventide and Rundgren, “Open My Eyes” stands as both a heartfelt tribute and a bold statement of Kogon’s evolving artistic direction.