Langren, born and raised in Philadelphia, began playing guitar in his teens and formed the psychedelic group Nazz, which stood at the heart of the 1960s scene and launched his career. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, and since then has released one hit after another, including the legendary debut Runt. With his unique excellence and passion for creation, he produced music defined by the terms progressive rock and power pop. As a producer, he has worked on albums for renowned artists such as Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, and Hall & Oates, further elevating his reputation as a rock renaissance man. Langren has also energetically composed scores for films and television series. In 2017, he was awarded honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and DePauw University, becoming, in name and deed, a doctor who helped shape contemporary music. This memorial moment—his first Billboard Live performance in 12 years—is not to be missed.