- Rock band formed in 1977 from Los Angeles California. The founding members were Bobby Kimbell (vocals), Steve Lukather (vocals, lead guitar), David Paich (vocals, keyboards), Steve Porcaro (vocals, keyboards), David Hungate (bass guitar), and Jeff Porcaro (drums).
- All of the members of Toto were accomplished session musicians who had frequently contributed to recordings of many successful artists of the 70s, such as Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Seals and Crofts. Paich and Jeff Porcaro began to discuss the idea of forming a band of their own. They brought the other musicians into the band, and in 1977, they were signed to a recording contract.
- After recording their first album, the band still had not decided on a name. Hungate suggest Toto, derived from the Latin phrase “In Toto,” which translates as “all-encompassing.” The band members liked it, since they had all played on so many albums previously.
- Their debut studio album, the self titled Toto, was released in 1978. The album sold well, thanks to the single Hold The Line, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Their first 2 albums in the 80s were not as successful as their debut album, although the single 99 reached the top 30 and is still heard today on soft rock radio.
- In 1982, they released their most popular album. Titled Toto IV, it had 3 songs in the top 10, with Africa as their only #1 song on the Hot 100 chart, and Rosanna making it to #2. The third hit single, I Won’t Hold You Back, hit #1 on the Adult Contempory chart. Worldwide sales of the album exceeded 12 million copies. The album earned Toto 6 Grammy awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for Rosanna.
- Nine more albums were released from 1984 to 2015. These albums did not sell very well in the U.S., but they sold very well in Japan and the Scandinavian countries. Apparently, these areas are big fans of Yacht Rock!
- Speaking of Yacht Rock – it is a term used to classify the soft rock sound that was prevalent in the late 70s and early 80s. Think Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Boz Scaggs, and perhaps the best fit of all – Toto!
- Toto continues to tour – they have scheduled their 40th anniversary tour for 2018. So far, all of the concerts are in Europe. A new album will be released in conjunction with the tour, which will include remastered version of their hits, plus several new songs. Original members still with the band are David Paich, Steve Lukather and Steve Porcaro.
- Members of Toto have contributed to over 5,000 albums, totaling over half a BILLION records!
- Here’s the video for that Grammy Award winner – Rosanna. Go get your sailboat, pop in your Toto IV cassette, and enjoy!