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Toto

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Toto is an American rock band from Los Angeles, founded in 1977 by the keyboardist David Paich and the drummer Jeff Porcaro. They knew each other from secondary school and were sought-after session musicians: they played on records by Steely Dan, Sonny & Cher and Boz Scaggs, among others, for whom Paich wrote a large part of Silk Degrees. The bassist David Hungate, the guitarist Steve Lukather, the keyboardist Steve Porcaro and the singer Bobby Kimball completed the band. The name was on their demo tapes; Hungate pointed out that the Latin in toto means all-embracing, and that suited musicians who were at home in every style.

Music and breakthrough

The debut album Toto (1978) produced the hit Hold the Line. After Hydra (1979) and Turn Back (1981) came the great success with Toto IV (1982). Africa was number one in America in February 1983, Rosanna became a big hit, and the album won six Grammys. At the same time Steve Porcaro co-wrote Human Nature for Michael Jackson's Thriller, and Jeff Porcaro and Lukather played on that album, including on Beat It. After that the band often changed singers. Jeff Porcaro died in 1992; the band carried on until Old Is New (2018).

Influence

Toto blended pop, rock, soul, funk, jazz and prog rock into a tight, polished sound. Critics often found the music too slick, but the musicians were regarded as top-class professionals. The fact that the band both scored hits of its own and played on other people's records shows how session musicians in Los Angeles helped shape the pop music of the 1970s and 1980s.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Africa and notice the rhythm: the drums and percussion lay a rolling, slightly displaced pattern beneath the song. Hear how the synthesizers and the multi-part vocals in the chorus are stacked on top of it.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsSoft rock and AOR