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
The Box
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldn't get a ticket, it was a sold out show
Heard the roar of the crowd, he could picture the scene
Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream
He heard one guitar, just blew him away
He saw stars in his eyes, and the very next day
Bought a beat up six string in a secondhand store
That one guitar, felt good in his hands
Didn't take long, to understand
Just one guitar, slung way down low
Was one way ticket, only one way to go
So he started rockin'
Ain't never gonna stop
Gotta keep on rockin'
Someday hes gonna make it to the top
And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
Hes a juke box hero
He took one guitar, juke box hero, stars in his eyes
Juke box hero, he'll come alive tonight
In a town without a name, in a heavy downpour
Thought he passed his own shadow, by the backstage door
Like a trip through the past, to that day in the rain
And that one guitar made his whole life change
Now he needs to keep rockin'
He just can't stop
Gotta keep on rockin'
That boy has got to stay on top
And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
He's a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
Yeah, juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
Juke box hero, he'll come alive
Come alive tonight
You need coolin', baby, I'm not foolin'
I`m gonna send you back to schoolin'
Way down inside honey,you need it,
I`m gonna give you my love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love
Yeah, he's gotta keep rockin'
He just cant stop
Gotta keep on rockin'
That boy has got to stay on top
And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
He's a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
Just one guitar, put stars in his eyes
He's just a juke box hero,
Juke box hero, juke box hero, he's got stars in his eyes
Stars in his eyes
Toto's song The Box tells the story of a man who missed out on a sold-out show but could hear the music and the roar of the crowd from outside. He listened intently to the sound of one guitar and was so inspired that he went the next day and bought a beat-up six-string guitar from a second-hand store. Although he had no idea how to play it, he felt it in his hands and believed that it was his one-way ticket and only way to go. The man started practicing and playing the guitar non-stop, determined to become a rockstar. He played his way through a town without a name in a heavy downpour and had a chance encounter by the backstage door, where he caught a glimpse of his own shadow. This flashback took him back to the day he bought that guitar, and he realized that one guitar was what had changed his whole life.
The man knows that he cannot stop, and he has to keep on rockin' because he's got stars in his eyes. The passion for music and the guitar are what drives him, and he knows that he cannot give up until he reaches the top. The song is about following one's passion and not giving up until one becomes successful. The lyrics use the metaphor of a jukebox hero to represent someone who puts stars in their eyes and drives on in pursuit of their dreams, even when they seem impossible. The Box encourages listeners to find what drives them, pursue it tirelessly, and never give up until they achieve the success they dream of.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in the rain, with his head hung low
This line describes a character who is wet and miserable in the rain.
Couldn't get a ticket, it was a sold out show
The character in this song was unable to obtain a ticket to an event that was completely sold out.
Heard the roar of the crowd, he could picture the scene
Although he was unable to attend the event, the character could still hear the energy of the crowd and imagine what the atmosphere might be like.
Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream
The character was so close to the event that he could hear and feel the music through the wall, almost as if it were in the same room.
He heard one guitar, just blew him away
The character was particularly struck by the sound of one guitar and found it to be powerful and moving.
He saw stars in his eyes, and the very next day
After hearing the guitar, the character was inspired and motivated to pursue music himself and began planning to do so.
Bought a beat up six string in a secondhand store
The character purchased a low-cost guitar that was in poor condition from a thrift store.
Didn't know how to play it, but he knew for sure
Despite having no prior knowledge or experience with playing the guitar, the character was confident that he would learn and excel at it.
That one guitar, felt good in his hands
Although he was inexperienced, the character found that playing the guitar felt very natural and comfortable to him.
Didn't take long, to understand
The character learned how to play the guitar quickly and without much difficulty.
Just one guitar, slung way down low
The character only needed one guitar, which he wore low on his body, to express himself musically.
Was one way ticket, only one way to go
Playing guitar and pursuing music was the only path that the character felt was right for him and he was committed to that journey.
So he started rockin'
The character began playing music with enthusiasm and dedication.
Ain't never gonna stop
The character will continue to play and pursue music indefinitely.
Gotta keep on rockin'
Playing music is essential to the character's sense of self and he will continue to do so no matter what.
Someday hes gonna make it to the top
The character is confident that he will eventually achieve success and recognition in the music industry.
And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
The character aspires to become a famous and celebrated musician.
He took one guitar, juke box hero, stars in his eyes
The character became a success through his dedication to playing a single guitar and his desire to become a talented musician.
In a town without a name, in a heavy downpour
The character experienced a moment of reflection in an anonymous location during a heavy rainstorm.
Thought he passed his own shadow, by the backstage door
The character had a moment of introspection while attending a music event and felt as though he was passing by a representation of his own self.
Like a trip through the past, to that day in the rain
The character's reflection on his own journey and success serves as a reminder of why he began playing music in the first place.
Now he needs to keep rockin'
The character recognizes that continuing to play music is key to his personal fulfillment and success.
He just can't stop
Playing music has become a fundamental part of the character's life and he cannot imagine stopping.
That boy has got to stay on top
The character is committed to performing at his best and remaining successful in his career as a musician.
You need coolin', baby, I'm not foolin'
This is a throwback to Led Zeppelin's song 'Whole Lotta Love' and signifies the character's confidence and suave demeanor towards a romantic interest.
I'm gonna send you back to schoolin'
This is another reference to 'Whole Lotta Love' wherein the character suggests he'll offer useful lessons to a potential partner.
Way down inside honey,you need it,
The character understands his love interest needs fulfilling love and he's the one that can offer it.
I'm gonna give you my love
The character is confident and making a claim that his romantic interest will not receive better love from anyone else other than him.
Wanna Whole Lotta Love
This line is taken from Led Zeppelin's song 'Whole Lotta Love' to add a musical reference to the song.
Yeah, he's gotta keep rockin'
The character is remaining committed to playing music and finding success.
Just one guitar, put stars in his eyes
Playing a single instrument was all it took for the character to become motivated and committed to pursuing music.
Juke box hero, juke box hero, he's got stars in his eyes
The character has become a successful musician and is celebrated as a hero of the juke box scene.
Stars in his eyes
The character views his success not just as fame and recognition, but as a deeply personal accomplishment that brings him happiness and fulfillment.
Juke box hero, he'll come alive
The character's love of music and his passion for playing has become a fundamental part of who he is and how he sees himself, allowing him to feel truly alive.
Come alive tonight
Playing music and performing are experiences that bring immense joy and personal fulfillment to the character and will continue to do so in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lou Gramm, Mick Jones
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.