There’s no requirement to be a fan of the Beatles’ 1968 self-titled release, often called the White Album, in order to be a touring band member in the current stage show paying tribute to said album.

Todd Rundgren is proof of that. Rundgren, along with Christopher Cross, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees and Joey Molland of Badfinger, is part of the ensemble coming to town for the performance.

Rundgren also has strong feelings about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to which the renowned singer-songwriter-producer was again nominated.

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He didn’t hold back about any of it during a recent phone call.

Question: Are you closest to Ringo among the members of the Beatles? Did you have relationships with any of the others?

Answer: No, only with Ringo, and my relationship with Ringo goes back to the ‘70s when we did a gig in Las Vegas together. Then, Ringo really wasn’t hardly playing at all with anyone. He only ever made records occasionally. But it was still too soon, I guess, after the breakup of the Beatles to join another band. Like 10 or so years later, when he put the first All-Starr Band together, he asked if I wanted to join, but unfortunately, I had committed to some other things at that point. But by his third tour, I was an All-Starr.

Q: I would have thought you would have known John and Yoko from New York.

A: Aside from the fact that it was probably a different crowd, let’s say, I did not really spend a lot of time socializing in New York past like 1974, ‘75. When I got my place in upstate New York, that’s pretty much where I spent most of my time.

Q: Where would you rank the White Album among Beatles albums?

A: Near the bottom. I think there’s only one contender for a worse record. That would be the “Magical Mystery Tour” hodgepodge of stuff. Even that is more of a Beatles record than the White Album. There’s good material. There are definitely bright spots for George Harrison. But as a Beatles record, it’s terrible.

Q: In that it’s not a group effort?

A: Exactly. It just sounds like three guys with one foot out the door. They’re already making their solo records pretending to make a Beatles record.

Q: Did the organizers of this tour ask your opinion of the White Album before you signed on?

A: No, they did not. Truth be told, I don’t think anyone that’s involved in this thinks that the White Album is a great Beatles record, but we do recognize that there’s always an audience for the Beatles, regardless of which record it is, and all you have to do is a plausible simulacrum of the material.

Q: Congratulations on your Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination, though I don’t know if congratulations is the right word. You don’t seem excited about it.

A: Well, my personal response is “no comment.” But, having nothing to do with me, I don’t understand why they beat around the bush with a band like Thin Lizzy, or Motorhead, or T. Rex. Why don’t they just put them in there? Because they’re never gonna play again. All of these other acts are still playing. These were real rock bands that were influential and will never play again because the lead singers are gone. Why are they even putting that up for a vote?

The whole idea of the so-called fan vote is bogus. We all know that. Thankfully, my fans have figured that out. I’ve always believed that, first of all, hall of fame is a sports thing. It’s an honor you bestow on someone whose career is long over, so you can make a judgment about what their ultimate contribution was to the sport. Inducting people into a hall of fame while they’re still in the middle of doing what they’re doing makes no sense. They’re making an estimation of only part of your work, not on the whole of your oeuvre. I don’t know what it’s all about. But like I said, I don’t understand why it’s even up to a vote whether Motorhead gets into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or not. I mean, they should blow the place up if Motorhead doesn’t get inducted, put it that way.

If you go

What: It Was 50 Years Ago Today: A Tribute to the Beatles’ White Album

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Where: Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown; 513-621-2787

Tickets: $119-$39

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Todd Rundgren doesn't hold back his feelings on Beatles, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame