Toto

Toto are an American rock group from Van Nuys, United States, formed in 1977. Their sound draws on pop, rock, soul, funk, hard rock, R&B, blues and jazz, and they are also associated with AOR, hard rock, jazz fusion, neo-progressive rock, pop rock and related styles.

Formation and early success

The band is founded by keyboardist and vocalist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro, both established session musicians. The early line-up also includes bassist David Hungate, guitarist and vocalist Steve Lukather, keyboardist and vocalist Steve Porcaro and vocalist Bobby Kimball. The group’s self-titled debut album appears in 1978 and is led by the Top 5 single “Hold the Line”, which gives them their first major mainstream success.

Breakthrough with Toto IV

Their fourth album, Toto IV, appears in 1982 and brings the band worldwide recognition. It includes “Africa”, which reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Rosanna”, which reaches number two. This period establishes Toto as one of the best-selling groups of the era. The band releases 14 studio albums in total, along with eight live albums, a soundtrack album, and several compilation albums. Their studio albums include Hydra, Turn Back, Isolation, Fahrenheit, The Seventh One, Kingdom of Desire, Tambu, Mindfields, Through the Looking Glass, Falling In Between, Toto XIV and Old Is New.

Line-up changes and later years

After Toto IV, Hungate and Kimball leave the group. Mike Porcaro replaces Hungate on bass, while Kimball is followed by several lead singers, with Joseph Williams becoming the longest-serving. After Jeff Porcaro’s death in 1992, Simon Phillips becomes the band’s drummer. From the 2010s, Toto use contracted touring musicians to support live performances. Steve Lukather remains the only original member who continues to record and tour with the band, while David Paich remains an official member but mostly retires from touring.

Recognition

Toto sell more than 50 million records worldwide, win several Grammy Awards and are inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009. They continue to record and tour, and are also known for success outside the United States, including top-ten albums and singles in Japan and parts of Scandinavia.

Other releases

The band also releases the film soundtrack Dune in 1984.