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
Turning Point
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That runs between love and pride
And I tried to get sideways
Across the great divide
But my mind's eye's on the key ring
Crying in misery
'Cause it won't spend one more evening
Staring back at me.
It may be by choice or a small inner voice I can't say
When you add up the cost we all have a cross
How do you write off the loss?
Where do I go from here?
How do I find my way?
When is it loud and clear
That there's no turning back? No looking back
Where do I go from here?
Nobody gets away
It''s a new kind of fix
For the poor and the rich
You never know what's coming next, at the turning point.
The rules are unwritten
And nobody knows the deal
Where have I been driven
Are deamons behind the wheel?
Yeah, I know my days are numbered
We're only flesh and bone
And I've been left to wonder
How it went so wrong.
Is it all tailor made, can the sinner be saved, I can't say
So don't hang your hat on the knife I'm my back
'Cause nobody treats me like that.
Where do I go from here?
How do I find my way?
When is it loud and clear
That there's no turning back? No looking back
Where do I go from here?
Nobody gets away
It''s a new kind of fix
For the poor and the rich
You never know what's coming next, at the turning point.
In Toto's song Turning Point, the singer is reflecting on a crossroads in their life. The highway represents the metaphorical road that runs between love and pride, and the singer is trying to navigate a way across the great divide. However, they realize that they cannot escape the memories and choices that have brought them to this point. Their mind's eye is fixated on their keyring, a symbol of their past, and they are crying in misery because they cannot spend one more evening staring back at themselves. The cost of their choices has taken a toll, and they wonder how to write off the loss.
The singer is searching for direction and clarity in their life. They ask where to go from here and how to find their way. They acknowledge that there may be no turning back, and they must face the consequences of their actions. The rules are unwritten and nobody knows the deal, leaving the singer wondering if there are demons behind the wheel. They realize that life is fleeting and wonder how it all went so wrong. They don't know if their fate was predetermined, or if there is hope for redemption.
Overall, Turning Point is a contemplative and introspective song that reflects on the choices we make in life and the consequences that result from them. The singer is searching for meaning and purpose and is uncertain of what the future holds.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the highway That runs between love and pride
I took a journey to the place where love and pride intersect
And I tried to get sideways Across the great divide
I attempted to navigate the chasm that separates two opposing forces
But my mind's eye's on the key ring Crying in misery 'Cause it won't spend one more evening Staring back at me.
My focus is on the key ring that reminds me of a loss, and it causes me great pain to look at it
It may be by choice or a small inner voice I can't say When you add up the cost we all have a cross How do you write off the loss?
I'm not sure if my actions were deliberate or influenced by an internal conflict, but we all incur losses we cannot forget
Where do I go from here? How do I find my way? When is it loud and clear That there's no turning back? No looking back
I am uncertain about my direction and fear the point of no return
Nobody gets away It''s a new kind of fix For the poor and the rich You never know what's coming next, at the turning point.
We are all vulnerable to the twists and turns of fate, regardless of our social status
The rules are unwritten And nobody knows the deal Where have I been driven Are deamons behind the wheel?
The nature of life's journey is unknown, and sometimes it feels like we are being controlled by malevolent forces
Yeah, I know my days are numbered We're only flesh and bone And I've been left to wonder How it went so wrong.
I recognize my mortality and ponder how I reached this point of despair
Is it all tailor made, can the sinner be saved, I can't say So don't hang your hat on the knife I'm my back 'Cause nobody treats me like that.
I don't know if our lives are predetermined or if people can change their destiny, but I refuse to accept mistreatment from others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL PORCARO, STEVE LUKATHER, SIMON PHILLIPS, DAVID PAICH, STAN LYNCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Clement
Simon was a great choice to replace the Great Jeff Porcaro. Well I’m my opinion anyway. Some pretty tricky stuff while doing cross stick on this tune. Love the bass line too.
João Mauricio
Simon is one of the best drummers in the world. Bu tI think his style wasn't right for Toto and he was underused in the band...
Moony Moon
Simon's amazing hands ans feet independence is essencial to play this tune, which Porcaro himself acknowledged he didn't have or at least was not very good. Not to mention that Simon is ambidextrous and plays mostly open.
Leland Mcintyre
The drums on this track sound great, Simmon does a great job, have this cd.
m Howy13
Since 96 I love this song...and the complete Tambu!!!
Very awesome
Reise Inszenierungen
unique song in the wide range Toto Repertoire....
Ognyan Nachev
Много пипнато, с драйв и премерен фънк - удоволствие и пиршество за слуха и душата!
Walter Steidl
unfortunately the last hit of them, that was played on Austrian Radio stations even though lots of other fantastic Songs were following in the future…. the turning Point.....
Roberto Secci
Classe da vendere❤
Yeled Ra Meod Games
By far this band's greatest song, though "Pamela" is a close second for me.