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
Home of the Brave
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold your head up high now, there's no need to cry now
We're not running anymore
Leave the politics behind boys, they're not working anymore
There's so much more at stake here, it's make or break here
Haven't we been here before - tell me what we're waiting for
You gotta remember, you don't have to be afraid
You still have the freedom to learn, and say what you want to say
You gotta remember, don't let 'em take away
The land we call the home of the brave
Who sings the song of the people, you don't hear it anymore
I heard it late last summer, to the beat of a different drummer
It never sounded quite like that before
So you're trying to shake this feeling, that trouble's right outside the door
You lie awake each dark night, like a time bomb wound up too tight
A storm in waiting, just offshore - tell me what we're waiting for
In Toto's song "Home of the Brave," the lyrics speak to the current state of society and the country's political atmosphere. The song is a call to action for people to rise up and speak out against the government's policies that are not working anymore. The lyrics explain that help is on the way, and there is no need to cry. It encourages listeners to leave the politics behind as there is so much more at stake here, and it is make or break here.
The song also talks about remembering not to be afraid and to exercise your freedom of thoughts and words. The lyrics ask listeners not to let the government take away the land they call home and call "home of the brave." The song talks about the importance of singing the song of the people, which has been lost in society lately. The lyrics explain that people should not feel trouble is right outside the door and instead take action and make a change. In conclusion, the song urges people to take a stand and make their voices heard to restore the country's democracy.
Line by Line Meaning
Every thing's gonna be alright boys, help is on the way
Do not worry, help is coming.
Hold your head up high now, there's no need to cry now
Be strong and do not show weakness.
We're not running anymore
Do not flee from danger.
Leave the politics behind boys, they're not working anymore
Forget about political disagreements, they are not helpful.
There's so much more at stake here, it's make or break here
The situation is important and decisive.
Haven't we been here before - tell me what we're waiting for
We have faced this before. Time to take action now.
[Chorus:]
You gotta remember, you don't have to be afraid
You still have the freedom to learn, and say what you want to say
You gotta remember, don't let 'em take away
The land we call the home of the brave
Do not be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for your freedom and country.
Who sings the song of the people, you don't hear it anymore
The voice of the people is silent.
I heard it late last summer, to the beat of a different drummer
It never sounded quite like that before
A new voice is rising and it sounds different but refreshing.
So you're trying to shake this feeling, that trouble's right outside the door
You lie awake each dark night, like a time bomb wound up too tight
A storm in waiting, just offshore - tell me what we're waiting for
The threat of danger is real and imminent. It's time to act before it's too late.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN LEE LUKATHER, DAVID PAICH, JIMMY WEBB, JOSEPH WILLIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Denis S. Pratt
on Take My Hand
Beautiful rendition of a reconciling moment that my mother and I will lay to rest.