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Toto (band)

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Toto is an American pop/rock/prog band which had their greatest commercial success in the 1980s.

Biography

Toto was formed in Los Angeles in 1977 (see 1977 in music) by David Paich, Steve Lukather, Bobby Kimball, brothers Steve and Jeff Porcaro, and David Hungate, the son of former United States Congressman and United States District Court Judge William L. Hungate. The bandmembers had met in high school and at studio sessions in the 1970s, when they became some of the busiest session musicians in the music business.

Composed entirely of seasoned studio musicians, Toto seemed to come out of nowhere. They did not get known first on the club circuit as nearly all bands do prior to being signed by a label. Their reputations in the studio were enough. Among other contributions, the core members of the band had played on Boz Scaggs' critically-acclaimed hit album Silk Degrees. Paich, Hungate and Jeff Porcaro wrote songs for and performed on Silk Degrees.

Toto released their self-titled debut album in October 1978, selling two million copies based on their top ten hit "Hold the Line". The next two albums Hydra and Turn Back had little success, but Toto IV (released in 1982) featured the number one hit "Africa" as well as the top ten single "Rosanna". Toto IV went multi-platinum and earned several Grammy Awards including 1983 Album of the Year and Record of the Year (for "Rosanna").

Their only film work to date was for the 1984 David Lynch science fiction film Dune. In addition to their own score, they also recorded the "Prophecy Theme", composed by Brian Eno.

Lineup

Original lineup (1978)

Changes

After the release of Toto IV, Mike Porcaro (brother to Jeff and Steve), joined the group on bass, replacing Hungate. In 1984, Bobby Kimball left the group and was replaced by Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen, who was replaced not long after by Joseph Williams, the son of famed conductor/composer John Williams.

Steve Porcaro left the band in 1988, however, he still contributes as a sideman.

In 1990, Jean-Michel Byron replaced Williams for the new recordings on Past to Present 1977-1990, then left with Lukather becoming the group's lead singer.

On August 5, 1992, Jeff Porcaro died of a heart attack, but he was featured on the group's next album, Kingdom of Desire. The group added British drummer Simon Phillips.

In 1999, Bobby Kimball returned to the lineup after a 15-year absence.

Greg Phillinganes joined the lineup in 2004 to fill in for David Paich during a tour, then officially joined Toto in 2005.

Current lineup (2005)

Trivia

  • "Rosanna" was written in honor of then girlfriend of Steve Pocaro, actress Rosanna Arquette.
  • The band's name may have elicited a few giggles when they first toured Japan in 1979-1980. TOTO is the name of Japan's largest toilet manufacturer, makers of the high-tech Washlet.
  • The song "Rosanna" was featured in a 2002 episode of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace. The character Grace Adler was dating a now-incarcerated high-school friend who replaced "Rosanna" with "Grace Adler" and sung the song to her.

Discography

Singles

  • "Hold The Line" (1978) #5 US
  • "I'll Supply The Love" (1979) #45 US
  • "Georgy Porgy" (1979) #48 US
  • "99" (1980) #26 US
  • "Rosanna" (1982) #2 US
  • "Make Believe" (1982) #30 US
  • "Africa" (1982) #1 US
  • "I Won't Hold You Back" (1983) #10 US
  • "Waiting For Your Love" (1983) #73 US
  • "Stranger In Town" (1984) #30 US
  • "Holyanna" (1985) #71 US
  • "I'll Be Over You" (1986) #11 US
  • "Without Your Love" (1986) #38 US
  • "Pamela" (1988) #22 US

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toto.
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