ToTo

Toto is a multi-Grammy Award winning American ^{United States} rock ^{Rock music} band ^{Rock band} founded in 1977 by some of the most popular and experienced session musicians of the era. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the 1980s, beginning with the band's self-titled debut ^{Toto (album)} , released during 1978. Continuing with 1982's critically acclaimed and commercially successful Toto IV, Toto became one of the best selling music groups of their era. They are known for such hit singles as "Hold the Line", "Rosanna ^{Rosanna (song)} ", "Africa ^{Africa (Toto song)} ", and "Stranger in Town ^{Stranger in Town (Toto song)} ". Although their popularity in the United States diminished in the 1990s and 2000s, they continued to tour and sell out theaters and arenas internationally.

Toto were known for their technical skill in the studio, as well as a musical style that combines elements of pop ^{Pop music} , rock ^{Rock music} , soul ^{Soul music} , funk, progressive rock, hard rock, R&B ^{Rhythm and blues} , and jazz. Although they were regularly associated with the soft rock genre, this broad array of musical styles helped them appeal to a variety of musicians and non-musician listeners.

The band released 17 albums and have sold over 30 million records to date. Their 18th album Falling In Between Live, was released in August 2007. It was recorded in March 2007 in Paris. As a result of guitarist Steve Lukather's departure from the band, which he agreed with the other members, Toto broke up after the last leg of their 2008 tour. The band will be reforming during the summer of 2010 for a tour of Europe to benefit Mike Porcaro, who is living with the fatal ALS (Lou Gehrig's) disease.

 
Formation


Toto formed as a group of six studio musicians in 1977. Before the band formed, the members of Toto were regulars on albums by Steely Dan,
The break-up of Toto after 31 years received mixed reactions from the fans. On April 5, 2008, Toto played what would be their last show ever, in Seoul, Korea, as a part of their Falling In Between Live tour. This left many fans without a real farewell tour, which was something that the band had said they would do. In their 31 years of existence, Toto sold over 30 million records, scored a worldwide number 1 hit with the song "Africa ^{Africa (Toto song)} " and other hits that topped various charts. Toto did over ten world tours which consistently sold out everywhere but in the US. The band and its individual members worked with and wrote for artists such as Michael Jackson, Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, Santana ^{Santana (band)} , Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Larry Carlton, Chicago ^{Chicago (band)} , Elton John, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton-John and hundreds more.


2009: Induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame

In October 2009, the individual founding musicians of Toto were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, and David Hungate were present, with Mike Porcaro's and Jeff Porcaro's family members accepting their awards in absentia.

2010: Temporary reformation

It was announced in February 26, 2010, that the band would be reuniting for a brief tour of Europe in the Summer to benefit Mike Porcaro, who is living with ALS ^{Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis} . The lineup will feature David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams ^{Joseph Williams (musician)} , and special guest, Nathan East.
Official band members


* Steve Lukather - guitars, vocals ^Singing , keyboards ^{Keyboard instrument} , mandolin (1977–2008, 2010)
* David Paich - keyboards ^{Keyboard instrument} , vocals ^Singing (1977–2008, 2010)
* Joseph Williams ^{Joseph Williams (musician)} - vocals ^Singing (1986 - 1989, 2010)
* Nathan East - Bass guitar (2010)
* Simon Phillips - Drums ^Drumkit , percussion ^{Percussion instrument} , keyboards ^{Keyboard instrument} (1992–2008, 2010)
* Steve Porcaro - keyboards ^{Keyboard instrument} , vocals ^Singing (1977 - 1987, 2010)
* David Hungate - Bass guitar (1977–1982)
* Fergie Frederiksen - Vocals ^{lead vocals} (1984–1985)
* Greg Phillinganes - keyboards ^{Keyboard instrument} , synthesizers (2005 - 2008)
* Bobby Kimball - Vocals ^{lead vocals} , occasional keyboards ^{Keyboard instrument} (1977 - 1984, 1998 - 2008)
* Jeff Porcaro - Drums ^Drumkit , percussion ^{Percussion instrument} (1977–1992; his death)
* Jean-Michel Byron - Vocals ^{lead vocals} (1990)
* Mike Porcaro - Bass guitar, cello (1982–2008)



Former touring lead/co-lead vocalists

* Jenny Douglas-McRae - Vocals (1990–1993, 1995, 1996-1997)
* John James - Vocals (1992–1997)


Tour musicians


* Nathan East - Bass guitar, vocals (2010)
* Tony Spinner - Guitar, vocals (1999–2008)
* Leland Sklar - Bass guitar (Filling in for Mike Porcaro in 2007-2008)
* Ricky Lawson - Drums, percussion (Filled in for Simon Phillips in late 2003)
* Jon Farriss - Drums (Filled in for Simon Phillips in October 2003)
* Jeff Babko - Keyboards (Filled in for David Paich for the 2000 tour)
* John Jessel - Backup keyboards/effects/vocals (1990-2003)
* Buddy Hyatt - Percussion/guitar/vocals (1999)
* Gregg Bissonette - Drums (Filled in for Simon Phillips in late 1995)
* Donna McDaniel - Vocals (1992–1994)
* John James - Vocals (1992-1997)
* Sofia Bender - Vocals (filled in for McRae in early 1996)
* Chris Trujillo - Percussion (1990-1993)
* Denny Dias - Guitar (1991)
* Fred White - Vocals (1991)
* Jackie McGhee - Vocals (1990–1991)
* Jenny Douglas-McRae - Vocals (1988-1997)
* Luis Conté - Percussion (1988)
* Warren Ham - Sax/harmonica/keyboards/guitar/vocals (1986–1988)
* Ralph Rickert - Horns/Backup vocals (1986-1987)
* Paulette Brown - Backup vocals (1985-1987)
* Scott Page - Sax/guitar/backup vocals (1985)
* Jon Smith - Sax/backup vocals (1981-1982)
* James Newton Howard - Keyboards (1981-1982)
* Timothy B. Schmit - Backup Vocals (1981, 1982)
* Keith Landry - Guitar/backup vocals (1980)
* Lenny Castro - Percussion (1979-1981, 1982-1987)
* Tom Kelly ^{Tom Kelly (musician)} - Guitar/backup vocals (1979)