Toto

Toto was an American rock band founded in 1977 by some of the most popular and experienced session musicians of the era. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the 1980s, beginning with the band's self-titled debut, released during 1978. Continuing with 1982's critically acclaimed and commercially successful Toto IV, Toto became one of the best selling music groups of their era. They also composed the theme music for the film Dune. Although their popularity in the United States diminished in the 1990s and 2000s, they continued to tour and sold out arenas, clubs, and theaters internationally. Toto was known for their technical skill in the studio, as well as a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard rock, R&B, and jazz, and although they were regularly associated with the soft rock genre, and particularly the neo-progressive rock genre, this broad array of musical styles helped them appeal to a variety of musicians and non-musician listeners. The band released 17 albums and have sold over 30 million records to date. Their 18th album Falling In Between Live, was released in August 2007. It was recorded in March 2007 in Paris. As a result of guitarist Steve Lukather's departure from the band, which he agreed with the other members, Toto broke up after the last leg of their 2008 tour.

Official band members

* Steve Lukather - guitars, vocals, keyboards, mandolin (1977–2008)
* David Paich - keyboards, vocals (1977–2008; 2003-2008 retirement from touring)
* Bobby Kimball - vocals, occasional keyboards (1977–1984; 1998–2008)
* Mike Porcaro - Bass guitar, cello (1982–2008)
* Simon Phillips - Drums, percussion, keyboards (1992–2008)
* Greg Phillinganes - keyboards, vocals (2005–2008)
* David Hungate - Bass guitar (1977–1982)
* Fergie Frederiksen - Vocals (1984–1985)
* Steve Porcaro - keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (1977–1988)
* Joseph Williams - Vocals (1986–1988)
* Jeff Porcaro - Drums, percussion (1977–1992; his death)
* Jean-Michel Byron - Vocals (1990)


Former lead/co-lead vocalists

* Jenny Douglas-McRae - Vocals (1990–1993, 1995, 1996-1997)
* John James - Vocals (1992–1997)

Tour musicians

* Tony Spinner - Guitar, vocals (1999–2008)
* Leland Sklar - Bass guitar (Filling in for Mike Porcaro in 2007-2008)
* Ricky Lawson - Drums, percussion (Filled in for Simon Phillips in late 2003)
* Jon Farriss - Drums (Filled in for Simon Phillips in October 2003)
* Jeff Babko - Keyboards (Filled in for David Paich for the 2000 tour)
* John Jessel - Backup keyboards/effects/vocals (1990-2003)
* Buddy Hyatt - Percussion/guitar/vocals (1999)
* Gregg Bissonette - Drums (Filled in for Simon Phillips in late 1995)
* Chris Cadeau - Drums (Filled in foor Gregg Bissonette in late 1996)
* Donna McDaniel - Vocals (1992–1994)
* Sofia Bender - Vocals (filled in for McRae in early 1996)
* Chris Trujillo - Percussion (1990-1993)
* Denny Dias - Guitar (1991)
* Fred White - Vocals (1991)
* Jackie McGhee - Vocals (1990–1991)
* Luis Conté - Percussion (1988)
* Warren Ham - Sax/harmonica/keyboards/guitar/vocals (1986–1988)
* Ralph Rickert - Horns/Backup vocals (1986-1987)
* Paulette Brown - Backup vocals (1985-1987)
* Scott Page - Sax/guitar/backup vocals (1985)
* Jon Smith - Sax/backup vocals (1981-1982)
* James Newton Howard - Keyboards (1981-1982)
* Timothy B. Schmit - Backup Vocals (1981, 1982)
* Keith Landry - Guitar/backup vocals (1980)
* Lenny Castro - Percussion (1979-1981, 1982-1987)
* Tom Kelly - Guitar/backup vocals (1979)

Discography

1978 Toto
1979 Hydra
1980 Turn Back
1982 Toto IV
1984 Isolation
1986 Fahrenheit
1988 The Seventh One
1992 Kingdom of Desire
1995 Tambu
1999 Mindfields
2002 Through the Looking Glass
2006 Falling in Between