Formed in 1977 by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro , TOTO was the synthesis of six of the finest and most respected musicians in Los Angeles. Along with Lukather, Kimball, basist David Hungate and keyboardist Steve Porcaro , the group took the music community by storm, releasing the eponymous debut album, "TOTO," in 1977 and earning a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Yielding the smash singles "Hold the Line," "Georgy Porgy," and "I'll Supply the Love," TOTO began their illustrious career immediately at the top of the charts
In 1982, the TOTO released the multi-platinum classic, "TOTO IV," winning several Grammy awards, including Producer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year for "Rosanna." The band immediately rocketed to international stardom. Including the incredibly popular "Africa" as well as ballad "I Won't Hold You Back," TOTO IV kept the band at the top of the charts for most of the year, and TOTO's incredible talent and ingenuity garnered great international acclaim.
Shortly thereafter, Bobby Kimball left the band and was replaced with Le Roux's Fergie Frederiksen , and Mike Porcaro replaced David Hungate on bass. The band only released one album with Frederiksen on lead vocals, afterwhich he was replaced by Joseph Williams , son of film composer John Williams. During Williams' tenure as lead vocalist, Steve Porcaro left the band to pursue a career in film and television scoring.
In 1988, TOTO released "The Seventh One" which returned them to the top of the international charts with hits such as "Pamela," "Stop Loving You," and "Home of the Brave." Despite the album's success, however, Williams left the band and was replaced for a short time by Jean-Michel Byron, who participated on the band's "Past to Present" release in 1990 and then left. The task of lead vocals then fell to Steve Lukather.
In 1992, tragedy struck when Jeff Porcaro died suddently of a heart attack. While deeply mourning his passing, TOTO went forward with the "Kingdom of Desire" Tour, where Simon Phillips filled in on drums. At the close of the tour, Phillips was invited to permanently join the band.
Several years later, the band reunited with vocalists Kimball and Williams for a 20th Anniversary Tour, after which Kimball rejoined the band permanently as lead vocalist. A few years later, Greg Phillinganes joined the band on tour, filling in for the semi-retired David Paich and eventually becoming a permanent member in 2005.
In 2006, TOTO released "Falling In Between," the band's first studio record since 1999. Leland Sklar, a world-renown bassist who has played with Phil Collins, James Taylor, and many others, has temporarily joined the band while Mike Porcaro recovers from a shoulder injury. The band are currently finishing up the 2007 leg of the Falling In Between tour, which will continue through 2008.
For a more detailed band history, please visit Toto99.com .
