TOTO

Biography

Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977 by a group of seasoned session musicians. The original lineup consisted of David Paich (keyboards, vocals), Steve Lukather (guitar, vocals), Bobby Kimball (vocals), David Hungate (bass), Jeff Porcaro (drums), and Steve Porcaro (keyboards). The band's members were already accomplished musicians, having played on albums by artists like Steely Dan, Seals and Crofts, Boz Scaggs, and Sonny & Cher.

Musical Style and Early Success

Toto is known for a musical style that blends elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard rock, R&B, and jazz. Their debut album, "Toto," was released in 1978 and achieved commercial success, driven by the top 10 hit single "Hold the Line." This album immediately brought the band into the mainstream spotlight.

Breakthrough with Toto IV

The band's fourth album, "Toto IV," released in 1982, propelled them to global stardom. The album was a massive commercial success, featuring hit singles like "Rosanna" and the chart-topping "Africa." "Toto IV" earned the band six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Rosanna." The success of this album solidified Toto's position as one of the best-selling music groups of their era.

Lineup Changes and Later Years

Following the success of "Toto IV," the band experienced several lineup changes. Bassist David Hungate and lead singer Bobby Kimball departed in 1982 and 1984, respectively. Mike Porcaro, brother of Jeff and Steve, joined on bass, and Fergie Frederiksen, and later Joseph Williams, took over as lead vocalist. Tragedy struck in 1992 when drummer Jeff Porcaro died at the age of 38. Simon Phillips subsequently joined as the new drummer. Despite these changes and the passing of Mike Porcaro in 2015, the band has continued to tour and record. The current lineup features Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams, who have been constants for many years.

Legacy

Toto has released 14 studio albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009. The band's influence can be heard in the music of many subsequent artists, and their songs, particularly "Africa," have remained enduringly popular, with "Africa" surpassing one billion streams on Spotify.