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
Till the End
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's lay it on the line
All the things were missin'
Look I just came back to town
Drink that green dragon down
It's time for me talk and you to listen
I know my heart, I know it well
Bet your analyst forgot to ask that question
[Chorus]
Till the end
Your name will touch my lips like prayin'
Till the end
I'll be the keeper of the words your heart is sayin'
Till the end
You and I will learn a language new and unspoken
Till the end
We'll be the ones who hold the key to a lock that's open
Girl not so long ago
A boy that didn't know
That he was hurtin'
Pushed somebody down
They fell and hit the gound
But i never meant for you to be that person
You know my heart, you know me well
It's never been my style to take advantage
We're at the start and time will tell
The lyrics of Toto's song 'Til The End' are about an individual who is willing to confess their love to their partner and begin a new journey together, even though they have had some misunderstandings in the past. The song starts with the singer, possibly a man, acknowledging that he knows what is on his partner's mind, and he wants to communicate with her honestly. He encourages her to drink some green dragon, which we can assume is some sort of drink that will help them ease into a difficult conversation.
The singer then goes on to say that he knows his heart very well, and that his analyst never asked him about it. Through this lyric, the songwriter is implying that only an individual has complete knowledge of their emotions and feelings. The chorus is a repetition of the song's title, and it talks about how the two lovers will cherish each other until the end of time. They will learn and speak a new language of love that is unique to them, and they will hold the key to unlocking the lock of their hearts.
The second verse of the song talks about some past transgressions that the singer had committed. He pushed somebody down, and they fell to the ground, but it wasn't his intention to hurt them. The singer then acknowledges that the girl he is singing to knows him well and knows his heart. He has never been the kind of person to take advantage of others. The song ends with the singer confessing his love and saying that only time will tell what the future holds for the two lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
I know what's on your mind
I understand your thoughts and feelings
Let's lay it on the line
Let's be honest with each other and have an open conversation
All the things were missin'
We have been missing each other and our relationship
Look I just came back to town
I have returned to be with you
Drink that green dragon down
Let's have a drink together
It's time for me talk and you to listen
I need to speak my truth and it's important for you to hear me out
I know my heart, I know it well
I am aware of my own feelings and emotions
Bet your analyst forgot to ask that question
Even your therapist might not have thought of this question
We're at the start and time will tell
Our relationship is just beginning, and only time will reveal what will happen
Till the end
Your name will touch my lips like prayin'
I will never stop loving and praying for you
Till the end
I'll be the keeper of the words your heart is sayin'
I will always be there for you and listen to your feelings
Till the end
You and I will learn a language new and unspoken
We will develop a deeper understanding of each other and our relationship
Till the end
We'll be the ones who hold the key to a lock that's open
We will maintain our strong bond and relationship
Girl not so long ago
A boy that didn't know
I was once unaware of my feelings for you
That he was hurtin'
Pushed somebody down
They fell and hit the gound
But i never meant for you to be that person
I have hurt others in the past, but I never intended to hurt you
You know my heart, you know me well
You understand me and know how I truly feel
It's never been my style to take advantage
I am not the type of person to take advantage of others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID PAICH, JOSEPH WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wendyc7730
It's hard to believe this song and the whole Fahrenheit album is going be 35 years old!
Still sounds fresh
Joseph Williams
Steve Lutaker
David Paich
Jeff Porcaro RIP
Mike Porcaro RIP
Steve Porcaro
And the session musicians that made these albums fantastic
Long live TOTO
@magorzatazapert9955
Joseph Williams one of the best male pop voices on the planet...
@lastmohican8171
Witam!
Jedna z lepszych kapel na świecie w historii ☺ i prawdopodobnie najbardziej niedoceniona 😔.
Gratuluję gustu i pozdrawiam
Piotr
@carolandrade6851
Yes yes yes
@magorzatazapert9955
@@lastmohican8171 Wow, witam.. A nie wyświetlił mi się ten komentarz w powiadomieniach ;) Tak to prawda, wspaniali muzycy o ogromnych umiejętnościach i niemal wszyscy umiejacy śpiewać! :)
@mariorojas3724
Yes he is!!!!!
@TruthTube777
Yep, right behind Toto’s previous vocalist Fergie Frederiksen and guys like Steve Perry, Freddy Mercury and Michael Jackson.
@thomasprovidenti8331
Jeff with that damn, amazing, groove. What a drummer. Miss him bigtime.
@enricobertoletti
Absolutely agree. RIP Jeffrey and Michael
@gilmayer1
This should have at least 100M views. TOTO is one of the best bands ever. A group of the finest and talented musicians that brings joy to millions of people all over the world 🙏💙🎸
@cherryred7325
Exactly👌