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. For example, Paich, Hungate and Jeff Porcaro wrote songs for and performed on Boz Scaggs' album Silk Degrees.
Toto released their debut album Toto 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.
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 after being arrested for selling cocaine and was replaced by Dennis Frederiksen aka Fergie Frederiksen, who was replaced not long after by Joseph 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, days after completing work on Kingdom of Desire. The group considered disbanding, before adding British drummer Simon Phillips for the subsequent tour. In the years since Porcaro's death, Lukather has seemingly succeeded Paich as the band's de facto leader.
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.
After a period of rumours and some allusions, on June 5th, 2008 Steve Lukather made an official announcement on his website stevelukather.net, stating: "The fact is yes I have left Toto. There is no more Toto." Lukather further stated that after 31 years of recording, producing and playing with Toto without even missing one single gig, he couldn't do it anymore: "I just can't do it anymore and at 50 years old I wanted to start over and give it one last try on my own." With Lukather being the only original member left in the band (Bobby Kimball was also an original member, but was out of the band from 1984-1998) there was no other option than to call it quits. As the main motivation for his decision, Lukather said: "When Dave retired that was REAL hard for me 'cause we started the band together. Hell, it's 35 years if you count High School where the core all met. When Mike fell ill and had to leave that was it for me. If there isn't Paich or at least one Porcaro how can we even call it Toto?" Luke also stated: "Honestly, I have just had enough. This is NOT a break. It is over. I really can't go out and play Hold The Line with a straight face anymore." The break-up of Toto after 31 years received mixed reactions from the fans, but in general the decision was understood and many agreed with Lukather's reasons to quit the band.
On April 5th, 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 lots of fans without a real farewell tour.
On February 26th, 2010, Steve Lukather announced on his Twitter-account that Toto are reforming for a brief tour in Europe in the summer of 2010 to honor bass player Mike Porcaro, who's suffering from ALS syndrome. Line-up will include David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and Nathan East.
Toto released their fourteenth studio album and their first in nine years titled Toto XIV on March 20 (Europe), March 23 (UK and Oceania), and March 24, 2015 (North America). To promote the newly finished project, the band started a world tour running with an extensive European headline arena tour including appearances at key festivals, along with a North American tour to follow in the summer of 2015 and Asia later that year.[43][44]
On March 15, 2015, former bassist Mike Porcaro died, due to complications from his battle with ALS, in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles.[45]
On 6 April 2015, Toto announced that they would embark on 7 August 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut with veteran progressive band Yes on a joint summer tour of North America due to end on 12 September 2015 in Coquitlam, British Columbia.[46][47][48] Shannon Forrest has continued to perform as the band's drummer.
On 29 September 2015, Toto announced the first leg of their 2016 Tour in support of Toto XIV consisting of European and Japanese dates. Leland Sklar, who joined them on their 2007 and 2008 tours, replaced founding member Hungate.[49] Sklar left Toto in early 2017 and was replaced by Shem von Schroeck.
Toto will release their anniversary album "40 Trips Around The Sun" on February 9, 2018. Then, they'll embark on their world tour promoting their album and celebrating 40 years of music.
The original lineup (1978)
* David Paich - vocals and keyboards
* Steve Lukather - guitar and vocals
* Bobby Kimball - vocals
* Steve Porcaro - keyboards
* David Hungate - bass
* Jeff Porcaro - drums
The last lineup (2017)
* David Paich - vocals and keyboards
* Steve Lukather - guitar and vocals
* Joseph Williams - vocals
* Steve Porcaro - vocals and keyboards
Goodbye Elenore
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she say, "No, no, no, no, no"
I want to squeeze her tight and not offend her, yeah
She said, "No, no, no, no, no"
(And he thought that she was coming back, but she wrote him a letter)
Sealed it with a kiss and placed it in front of my door
[Chorus]
You left me standing helpless just when I need more
You broke my heart for the last time, you broke my heart for the last time
You broke my heart for the last time, goodbye Elenore
I tried to tell the boys all about her, yeah
And they say, "No, no, no, no, no"
They told me she was loose, no doubt about her
Well I say, "No, no, no, no, no"
(And he thought that she was coming back, but she wrote him a letter)
Sealed it with a kiss and placed it in front of my door
[Chorus]
Chorus You broke my heart for the last time, broke my heart, it's the last time
You stole my heart and now you're gone forevermore
The lyrics to Toto's "Goodbye Elenore" tell a story of a man who is trying to win back the love of his former girlfriend named Elenore. The chorus is a declaration of the finality of their breakup and the man's recognition that Elenore has broken his heart for the last time. The verse talks about his efforts to make things right with Elenore by expressing his love for her and trying to convince her to come back to him. However, despite his best efforts, Elenore refuses to forgive him and instead sends him a letter indicating that their relationship is over for good.
The lyrics convey a sense of regret and longing for something that is now unattainable. The man realizes that he has lost the love of his life and that there is nothing he can do to change her mind. The repetition of "No, no, no, no, no" emphasizes Elenore's refusal to give him another chance and the desperation that the man feels to win her back. The chorus "You broke my heart for the last time, goodbye Elenore" serves as a final goodbye to their relationship, and highlights the pain and sorrow that the man feels from their breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to give her something she'll remember
The singer wants to create a memorable experience for his lover.
And she say, "No, no, no, no, no"
Despite the singer's attempts to create a memory, his lover refuses to partake in the experience.
I want to squeeze her tight and not offend her, yeah
The singer wants to express his physical love towards his lover without making her feel uncomfortable.
She said, "No, no, no, no, no"
The singer's lover refuses his physical advances.
(And he thought that she was coming back, but she wrote him a letter) Sealed it with a kiss and placed it in front of my door
The singer expected his lover to return, but instead received a letter and a kiss as a parting gesture.
[Chorus] Seems as though you've got your way before You left me standing helpless just when I need more You broke my heart for the last time, you broke my heart for the last time You broke my heart for the last time, goodbye Elenore
The singer realizes that his lover has broken his heart multiple times and is leaving him for good, resulting in a final goodbye.
I tried to tell the boys all about her, yeah And they say, "No, no, no, no, no" They told me she was loose, no doubt about her Well I say, "No, no, no, no, no"
The singer attempted to talk about his lover with his friends, but they criticized her character, while the singer defended her.
[Chorus] You broke my heart for the last time, broke my heart, it's the last time You stole my heart and now you're gone forevermore
The singer reiterates that his lover has broken his heart for the final time and now that she has left, she has taken his heart with her.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID F PAICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ramborob
No Auto Tune, just raw talent, in the studio! Priceless video. Wish it was higher def and there were more like this out there to show these kids today what real artists are.
Benjamin Blake Mitchner
It's impossible to lose with Toto. Bobby KImball's genius diminished in later years, but it shines on the first four albums. I feel that Toto are both the most talented and the most overlooked band. Jeff Porcaro was is and always will be the best drummer ever. Nobody will ever top him and it's a shame he's gone.
ClassicTVMan1981X
Same with keyboardist Steve Porcaro, who is now the only one of the three Porcaro brothers left after the middle of the three, bassist Mike, died in March 2015 of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease, which severely made him lose his nimbleness on the bass. However, Steve hadn't performed regularly with Toto since the group's most recent reunion in 2020.
Any Colour You Like
most overlooked and disrespected by the "wonderful" Rolling Stone Magazine. this is the No. 1 reason why I give a shit about that magazine. there are countless more reasons, but this is the No.1
Gabrielle Martin-Neff
Neil Pert
Rick 0824
What a tragedy to lose Jeff at such a young age. Incredibly talented drummer. RIP.
Arin007
I really WAS born in the wrong generation...
Arin007
This is GREAT!!!
Arin007
And happy 65th birthday JT
Chico Bellini
Yes it was one of the darkest days of Toto,for me Jeff Porcaro still is the best drummer in the world.Drumming is not about speed and learning notes its all about groove and Jeff Porcaro is da n1 groove Meister!!!!!