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
St. George And The Dragon
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is he wearing a familiar face?
Does he still live below Seventh Avenue
With the princess dipped in lace?
Does he know that I'm a soldier of fortune
And not a victim of circumstance?
We drew lots for his soft underbelly
I can tell by the look in your eye
You've never seen the man with nothing to say
I can tell by the look in your eye
You'd better watch yourself, St. George is on his way
Is it true that he's a mighty warrior
And a viper of the first degree?
I've been sentenced here to slay the giant
Geld this fear I cannot see
I can tell by the look in your eye
You've never seen the man with nothing to say
I can tell by the look in your eye
You'd better watch yourself, St. George is on his way
Can you tell me where I might find the Hydra?
Is he wearing a familiar face?
Does he still live below Seventh Avenue
In the slums of Satan's grace?
I can tell by the look in your eye
You've never seen the man with nothing to say
I can tell by the look in your eye
You'd better watch yourself, St. George is on his way
I can tell by the look in your eye
You've never seen the man with nothing to say
I can tell by the look in your eye
You'd better watch yourself, St. George is on his way
I can tell by the, I can tell by the
I can tell by the, I can tell by the
I can tell by the, I can tell by the
I can tell by the look in your eye
The lyrics to Toto's "St. George and the Dragon" depict the singer's quest to slay the Hydra and his encounter with the legendary hero of myth, St. George. The Hydra, a multi-headed serpent, is a symbol of power and danger, while St. George is a symbol of valor and heroism. The singer is eager to prove himself as a soldier of fortune and not a victim of circumstance. He draws lots with his comrades to determine who will face the Hydra's soft underbelly, showing his bravery and willingness to take risks.
The singer is also depicted as being frightened by the giant, suggesting that although he is a skilled warrior, he is not exempt from fear. When the singer asks about St. George, he seems to be seeking reassurance that he is not alone in his fight against the Hydra. St. George is described as a "mighty warrior" and a "viper of the first degree," suggesting that he is a formidable opponent.
The lyrics also touch on themes of perception and judgment. The singer can tell by the look in someone's eye whether or not they have seen the man with nothing to say, implying that he believes he has a heightened awareness of others' experiences. He warns that St. George is on his way, indicating that the hero is a force to be reckoned with and that those who underestimate him do so at their own peril.
Overall, the lyrics of "St. George and the Dragon" speak to the quest for personal heroism and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you tell me where I might find the Hydra?
Asking if the person knows where the enemy lies.
Is he wearing a familiar face?
Wondering if the enemy is someone they already know.
Does he still live below Seventh Avenue
With the princess dipped in lace?
Asking if the enemy is still in the same location with his captive.
Does he know that I'm a soldier of fortune
And not a victim of circumstance?
Questioning if the enemy is aware that the singer is not helpless.
We drew lots for his soft underbelly
Now his fate is sealed with my lance
The singer and others have found the enemy's weakness, and he will be defeated.
I can tell by the look in your eye
You've never seen the man with nothing to say
The singer knows the person they're talking to hasn't encountered someone as speechless and menacing as the enemy.
You'd better watch yourself, St. George is on his way
Warning the enemy that their demise is approaching.
Is it true that he's a mighty warrior
And a viper of the first degree?
Asking about the enemy's combat skills and nature.
I've been sentenced here to slay the giant
Geld this fear I cannot see
The singer feels destined to defeat the enemy and conquer their own fears.
In the slums of Satan's grace?
Asking if the enemy is located in a demonic neighborhood.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID PAICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ZuccaEZagara
I've been a witness to a loser's doddle in The Telegraph, on Toto's Easter gig at Royal Albert Hall, in London. That guy, calling himself a music critic, wrote nothing about music, just criticised the band's outfits, in a very rude, degrading style. Some members shared it in Toto fangroups on Facebook - and I felt it shouldn't be left without a direct feedback. I spread an open letter all over the fangroups, shared it on my timeline and also sent it in comment to his vomit on The Telegraph. Here it is:
"Dear Mr. McCormick,
first of all, let us make something clear: it is your own social problem if you do not like Toto, or had an issue with them (or more), or you do not like their clothing style, but it is a basic rule in every profession that a critic of a certain field, should be UP TO THE POINT and CONSTRUCTIVE. I must announce with sadness and disappointment that you have not fulfiled any of the above mentioned criteria.
According to your own determination of profession, you are a MUSIC CRITIC. Hence, one would think that you are paid for demonstrating a PROFESSIONAL review. Despite, what can the once-upon-a-time reader see? Almost nothing about music (maximum Steve Lukather's "hysterical" guitar play during While My Guitar Gently Weeps), the ballance engineering, the general atmosphere, the band members' performing skills or their contact with the audience: you keep going on about their dressing style, in a very rude style, what is more, you start with it, and you conclude your so-called review with a very hypocrite sentence. I am not intending to be rude, but to be honest, I am glad that you have not been sent to Marseille where Shem wore a tight cap, in which he looked like Lee Montague as Pietro di Bernardone in Zeffirelli's Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972). In case you have seen the film as well, I do not want to consider how would you have described his outfit, nor how would he have reacted. At any rate, you must focus on points like:
1.) technical circumstances influencing the voice quality,
2.) whether the songs are played in tune,
3.) the band members' performing skills and their influence on the audience.
These are the closest to a music critic's task. Concerning the outfits, it is rather suitable for a producer's overview. What you have done above, is like your employer refused you saying you had a hypocrite smile. But let us do not get involved into this particular question. The main thing is that your product is not even suitable as an overview because you keep chewing one rag all the time.
Concerning your Twitter feedback on comments, writing "Being trolled by Toto fans" etc., is not worthy to an adult English gentleman. A normal, mature person considers and filters what to accept and what to refuse, and does not judge immediately. What is more, it does not look like you worked a lot with your so-called article. If it was a proper overview, not a one-track doddle, the readers would believe that you have put all your energy into it. Nor even the time for which you have been working as a music critic, saves you, because a properly experienced critic automatically aspires to be concise and humble.
Reading my lines above, also think about your colleagues because the success of a press product, depends on every single member of the editorial. If you produce a proper, concise, impartial overview, that will keep the readers faithful and the editorial team satisfied and successful.
To sum up, I would like you to practise more empathy, humility and awareness of work. Neither do forget that if I demonstrate the above mentioned queries, it does not mean that others do not think like this.
Regards,
Julia Orosz (Budapest, Hungary)"
@davidnissim589
He doesn't sound like this anymore, but back in his prime, Bobby Kimball was one of the best singers in the business.
@gregbutcher_musicplacecheck12
The guy singing lead, looks to me like Burton Cummings?
@jooa1
@@gregbutcher_musicplacecheck12he is bobby kimball
@sheabobiney8114
Bobby is one of my all time favorite male vocalists. Sadly I heard he has Dementia now.
@davidnissim589
@@sheabobiney8114 yeah, it’s a shame. He seems like a really friendly guy though
@serenabussell8489
I love the old days when a few mixed history and music in a way we understood as nerdy history buffs or digging into the Alan Parsons Project album for Edgar Alan Poe
@denniswalker1339
The best well rounded band ever could do any kind of music
@brendajackson13
Bobby has such a recognizable (beautiful) voice.
@carlrichardson5347
Toto is a great band. The band deserves to be in the (rock and roll hall of Fame) Their lyrics and hits still is alive and kicking👍😉.
@user-hj3ej8yc5i
Yeah it's like you know good food when you taste it like music. Same thing