List of Toto band members
(left to right) Mike Porcaro, Jon Smith, Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, Lenny Castro and Jeff Porcaro (David Paich and Steve Porcaro not shown)
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(left to right) Greg Phillinganes, Tony Spinner, Bobby Kimball, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather and Leland Sklar
(left to right) Simon Philips, David Paich, Mabvuto Carpenter, Jory Steinberg, Steve Lukather, Nathan East, Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams
Three lineups of Toto onstage in 1982, 2007 and 2010.
Toto is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1977, the group's original lineup included lead vocalist Bobby Kimball, guitarist and vocalist Steve Lukather, keyboardist and vocalist David Paich, bassist David Hungate, keyboardist Steve Porcaro and drummer Jeff Porcaro. The current lineup features constant member Lukather, and lead vocalist Joseph Williams (who originally joined in 1986, and rejoined in 2010). The band also tours with several additional musicians, currently bassist John Pierce (since 2020), drummer Shannon Forrest (since 2024, originally from 2014 to 2019), keyboardists Greg Phillinganes (since 2024, originally from 2003 to 2008) and Steve Maggiora (since 2020), and multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham (since 2017, and originally from 1986 to 1988). Paich is still in the band as a music director, but medically unfit to tour.[1] He still makes guest appearances at random select concert dates.
History[edit]
Toto was formed in 1977 by vocalist Bobby Kimball, guitarist and vocalist Steve Lukather, keyboardist and vocalist David Paich, bassist David Hungate, keyboardist Steve Porcaro and drummer Jeff Porcaro.[2] Hungate left after the recording of the band's fourth album Toto IV in 1982, with Mike Porcaro (brother of Steve and Jeff) taking his place.[3] Kimball left two years later, with Lukather crediting his dismissal to increasing vocal problems stemming from his cocaine use.[4] He was replaced by Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen (who performed on Isolation before), and later Jean-Michel Byron. Byron remained for the promotional tour for the album ‘’Past to Present: 1977–1990’’, but did not get on with the rest of the band and left shortly thereafter, with no new frontman brought in to take his place.[5] The band's constant drummer Jeff Porcaro died of a heart attack on August 5, 1992.[6]
After briefly considering disbanding, Toto returned to touring, with Los Angeles-based British drummer Simon Phillips replacing Jeff Porcaro.[7] The group continued as a four-piece throughout much of the 1990s, before reuniting with Kimball, Williams and Steve Porcaro in 1998 for a tour in promotion of the 20th anniversary compilation Toto XX: 1977–1997.[5][8] After the tour, Kimball remained with the band.[9] The group returned to a lineup with two keyboardists in 2005 with the addition of Greg Phillinganes, who had previously toured with the band in place of Paich.[10] Mike Porcaro was forced to retire in 2007 due to illness, with Leland Sklar filling in.[11] In June 2008, Lukather announced that he had left Toto, signalling the disbandment of the group. Writing on his website, he explained that the band members "had some differences in how business was being done".[12]
Less than two years after the band's breakup, it was announced in February 2010 that Toto would be reforming for a run of shows in benefit of Mike Porcaro, who had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.[13] Lukather, Paich and Phillips were joined by former members Joseph Williams and Steve Porcaro, and touring bassist Nathan East.[14] The group continued touring over the next few years, before Phillips left in January 2014 during the recording of Toto XIV and was replaced by Keith Carlock.[15] Original bassist David Hungate also returned for the album's touring cycle, with Shannon Forrest taking over from Carlock.[16][17] The next lineup of Toto included Joseph Williams, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Shem von Schroeck, Shannon Forrest, Lenny Castro and Warren Ham.[18]
On October 19, 2020, it was announced that Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams would return to touring under the band name, in a proposed worldwide tour in 2021, known as the Dogz of Oz Tour. The new band lineup would feature bassist John Pierce (Huey Lewis and the News, Pablo Cruise, and a long-time session player), drummer Robert "Sput" Searight (Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy), and keyboardists Dominique "Xavier" Taplin (Prince, Ghost-Note) and Steve Maggiora (Robert Jon & the Wreck), as well as long-time multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham.[19] The tour began with a soft-opening: a worldwide live-streamed performance on November 21, 2020, during which David Paich appeared with the band for the final two songs.[20] On April 12, 2021, the band announced that the Dogz of Oz World Tour would be pushed to 2022.[21]
Toto has featured a wide range of additional musicians as part of its touring lineup. Notable past members of the band's touring lineup include guitarist and vocalist Tony Spinner (from 1999 to 2008),[22] keyboardist and vocalist John Jessel (from 1991 to 2004),[23] bassist Leland Sklar (from 2007 to 2008, and in 2016),[24][25] and backing vocalist Jenny Douglas-Foote (from 1990 to 1997, 2011 to 2012, and 2014 to 2016).[26] Many of these additional musicians have also contributed to Toto's studio albums, both during their tenures and as guest contributors.
In January 2024, Toto announced the return of keyboardist Greg Phillinganes and drummer Shannon Forrest ahead of their 2024 tour,[27] replacing Taplin and Searight respectively.
Official members[edit]
Current members[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Lukather |
|
|
all Toto releases | |
| David Paich |
|
|
all Toto releases except Falling in Between Live (2007) | |
| Joseph Williams |
|
|
|
Former members[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Porcaro |
|
|
| |
| Jeff Porcaro | 1977–1992 (until his death)[2][6] |
|
| |
| Bobby Kimball |
|
|
| |
| David Hungate |
|
|
| |
| Mike Porcaro | 1982–2007 (died 2015)[3][11] |
|
| |
| Fergie Frederiksen | 1984–1985 (died 2014)[5] | lead and backing vocals |
| |
| Jean-Michel Byron | 1989–1990[5] |
| ||
| Simon Phillips |
|
|
all Toto releases from Absolutely Live (1993) to 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014), except Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002) | |
| Keith Carlock | 2014[15][16][17] |
|
Toto XIV (2015) |
Touring members[edit]
Current[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Ham |
|
|
| |
| Greg Phillinganes |
|
| ||
| Shannon Forrest | drums |
| ||
| John Pierce | 2020–present[19] | bass | With a Little Help from My Friends (2021) | |
| Steve Maggiora |
|
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Former[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenny Castro |
|
|
||
| Tom Kelly | 1979[31] |
|
| |
| Keith Landry | 1980[32] | none | ||
| Jon Smith[33] | 1982 |
|
Toto IV (1982) | |
| James Newton Howard | keyboards |
| ||
| Timothy B. Schmit[34] | backing vocals |
| ||
| Paulette Brown-Castro | 1985–1987 (died 1998) | Fahrenheit (1986) | ||
| Scott Page | 1985 |
|
none | |
| Ralph Rickert | 1986–1987 |
| ||
| Luis Conte | 1988 | percussion | Past to Present 1977–1990 (1990) | |
| Jenny Douglas-McRae |
|
backing vocals |
| |
| Chris Trujillo | 1990–1993 | percussion |
| |
| Jackie McGhee | 1990–1991 | backing vocals |
| |
| John Jessel | 1990–2003 |
|
| |
| Fred White | 1991 | backing vocals |
| |
| John James | 1992–1997 |
| ||
| Donna McDaniel | 1992–1994 | Absolutely Live (1993) | ||
| Gregg Bissonette | 1995 | drums | none – filled in temporarily for Simon Phillips | |
| Sofia Bender | 1996 | backing vocals | none – filled in temporarily for Jenny Douglas | |
| Tony Spinner | 1999–2008[22] |
|
| |
| Buddy Hyatt | 1999–2000 |
|
Livefields (1999) | |
| Jeff Babko | 2000 |
|
none – filled in temporarily for David Paich | |
| Jon Farriss | 2003 | drums | none – filled in temporarily for Simon Phillips | |
| Ricky Lawson | 2003 (died 2013) | |||
| Leland Sklar |
|
bass |
| |
| Mabvuto Carpenter | 2010–2016[14] | backing vocals |
| |
| Nathan East | 2010–2014[14] |
|
35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014) | |
| Jory Steinberg | 2010[14] | backing vocals | none | |
| Amy Keys | 2013–2014 |
| ||
| David Santos | 2015 | bass | none – filled in temporarily for David Hungate | |
| Shem von Schroeck | 2017–2019 |
|
40 Tours Around The Sun (2019) | |
| Dominique "Xavier" Taplin | 2018–2024 (substitute for Paich 2018–2019)[19][35][36] |
|
With a Little Help From My Friends (2021) | |
| Robert "Sput" Searight | 2020–2024[37] |
|
_(John_Jessel).jpg)
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Session musicians[edit]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marty Paich |
|
string arrangements, conductor |
| |
| Roger Linn |
|
|
| |
| Jim Horn |
|
|
| |
| Chuck Findley |
|
|
| |
| Cheryl Lynn | 1977–1978 | backing vocals | Toto (1978) | |
| Sid Sharp | string arrangements | |||
| Michael Boddicker | 1979 | synthesizer samples | Hydra (1979) | |
| Joe Porcaro |
|
| ||
| Tom Scott |
|
|
| |
| Jerry Hey |
|
|
| |
| Jimmy Pankow |
|
|
| |
| Gary Grant |
|
trumpet |
| |
| Ralph Dyck | 1981–1982 | synthesizers | Toto IV (1982) | |
| The Martyn Ford Orchestra | strings | |||
| Richard Page |
|
backing vocals |
| |
| Mike Cotten | 1984 | synthesizers | Isolation (1984) | |
| The London Symphony Orchestra | strings | |||
| Gene Morford | bass vocal | |||
| Virginia Madsen | narration | Dune (1984) | ||
| Vienna Symphony Orchestra | strings | |||
| Kenneth McMillan | 1984 (died 1989) | dialogue | ||
| Paul Smith | 1984 (died 2012) | |||
| Jim Keltner |
|
percussion |
| |
| Michael McDonald |
|
backing vocals |
| |
| Paulinho da Costa |
|
percussion |
| |
| "Sidney" | 1986 | Fahrenheit (1986) | ||
| Steve Jordan | ||||
| Larry Williams | saxophones | |||
| David Sanborn | ||||
| Charles Loper | trombone | |||
| Bill Reichenbach Jr. | ||||
| Miles Davis | 1986 (died 1991) | trumpet | ||
| Amin Bhatia | 1986 | synthesizer | ||
| Paulette Brown | backing vocals | |||
| Tony Walthes | ||||
| Don Henley | ||||
| Michael Sherwood | 1986 (died 2019) | |||
| Gary Herbig |
|
|
| |
| Michael Fisher |
|
percussion |
| |
| Patti Austin | 1987–1988 | backing vocals | The Seventh One (1988) | |
| Jon Anderson | ||||
| Linda Ronstadt | ||||
| Bill Payne | keyboards | |||
| Andy Narell | steel drums | |||
| David Lindley | 1987–1988 (died 2023) | lap steel | ||
| Phillip Ingram |
|
backing vocals |
| |
| Stan Lynch | ||||
| C. J. Vanston |
|
|
| |
| Bobby Womack | 1992 (died 2014) | backing vocals | Kingdom of Desire (1992) | |
| John Elefante | 1992 | |||
| Alex Brown | ||||
| Angel Rogers | ||||
| Fred White | ||||
| Steve George | ||||
| John Fogerty | ||||
| Kevin Dorsey | ||||
| Arnold McCuller | ||||
| Billy Sherwood | ||||
| Phil Perry | ||||
| Don Menza | saxophone | |||
| Ricky Nelson | 1995 | backing vocals | Tambu (1995) | |
| Jim Giddens | S.P. chant | |||
| Elliot Scheiner | ||||
| Clint Black | 1999 |
|
Mindfields (1999) | |
| Bill Reichenbach Jr. | horns | |||
| Mark Hudson | backing vocals | |||
| Phil Soussan | ||||
| Chris Thompson | ||||
| Maria Vidal | ||||
| Monet |
|
|
| |
| James Ingram | 2001–2002 (died 2019) | Through the Looking Glass (2002) | ||
| Brandon Fields | 2001–2002 |
| ||
| Walt Fowler |
| |||
| Tippa Irie | DJ | |||
| Ellis Hall | vocals | |||
| Davey Johnstone | backing vocals | |||
| Nigel Olsson | ||||
| Trevor Lukather |
|
|
| |
| Ian Anderson | 2005 | flute | Falling in Between (2006) | |
| L. Shankar | violin | |||
| Ray Herrmann | tenor saxophone | |||
| Lee Thornburg | trumpet | |||
| Roy Hargrove | 2005 (died 2018) | trumpet and flugelhorn | ||
| Jason Scheff | 2005 | backing vocals | ||
| James Tormé | ||||
| Martin Tillman |
|
cello |
| |
| Tal Wilkenfeld | 2013–2014 | bass guitar | Toto XIV (2015) | |
| Tim Lefebvre | ||||
| Jamie Savko | backing vocals | |||
| Emma Williams | ||||
| Vinnie Colaiuta | 2016–2017 | drums | Old Is New (2018) | |
| Mark T. Williams | backing vocals | |||
| Pat Knox | ||||
| Lorraine Paich | ||||
| Weston Wilson | ||||
| What So Not | instrumentation | |||
| James Rushent | additional instrumentation | |||
| Surahn Sidhu |
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Timelines[edit]
Band member timeline[edit]
Touring musician timeline[edit]
Recording timeline[edit]
| Role | Lead Vocals | Guitar/vocals | Bass | Keyboards/vocals | Synthesizers | Drums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toto (1978) |
Bobby Kimball | Steve Lukather | David Hungate | David Paich | Steve Porcaro | Jeff Porcaro |
| Hydra (1979) | ||||||
| Turn Back (1981) | ||||||
| Toto IV (1982) | ||||||
| Isolation (1984) |
Fergie Frederiksen | Mike Porcaro | ||||
| Dune (1984) |
no-one | |||||
| Fahrenheit (1986) |
Joseph Williams | |||||
| The Seventh One (1988) | ||||||
| Kingdom of Desire (1992) |
Steve Lukather | Steve Porcaro/ John Jessel | ||||
| Tambu (1995) |
David Paich | Simon Phillips | ||||
| Toto XX (1998) |
various singers | Mike Porcaro/ David Hungate |
Steve Porcaro | Jeff Porcaro | ||
| Mindfields (1999) |
Bobby Kimball | Mike Porcaro | no-one | Simon Phillips | ||
| Through the Looking Glass (2002) | ||||||
| Falling in Between (2006) |
Greg Phillinganes | |||||
| Toto XIV (2015) |
Joseph Williams | David Hungate | Steve Porcaro | Keith Carlock | ||
| Old Is New (2018) |
David Hungate/ Mike Porcaro |
Jeff Porcaro/ Vinnie Colaiuta |
Lineups[edit]
| Period | Personnel | Releases | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official members | Touring musicians | ||
| 1977–1982 |
|
|
|
| 1982–1984 |
|
|
none |
| 1984–1985 |
|
|
|
| 1985–1987 |
|
|
|
| 1987–1988 |
|
|
|
| 1988–1989 |
|
none | none |
| 1989 |
|
| |
| 1990 |
|
|
|
| 1991–1992 |
|
|
|
| 1992–1998 |
|
|
|
| 1998–2005 |
|
|
|
| 2005–2007 |
|
|
|
| 2007–2008 |
|
|
|
| Band inactive June 2008 – February 2010 | |||
| February 2010 – January 2014 |
|
|
|
| January – May 2014 |
|
|
|
| May 2014 – September 2015 |
|
|
|
| November 2015 – October 2019 |
|
|
|
| Band inactive October 2019 – October 2020 | |||
| October 2020 – present |
|
|
|
References[edit]
- ^ Steve Lukather [@stevelukather] (April 16, 2021). "Well 2 of our main guys died, one these the road and other things, one is medically unfit to tour but still IN, Paich, and Joe and I and there are 3 new faces but fantastic ones that wanna work and we can afford in our current biz model" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ruhlmann, William. "Toto: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c Suchow, Rick (October 7, 2015). "David Hungate: Toto Recall". Bass Player. NewBay Media. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b Elliott, Paul (October 15, 2016). "The Secret History Of Toto". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Giles, Jeff (October 18, 2013). "Interview: Steve Lukather Recounts 35 Years of Toto History". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b Tamaki, Julie (September 4, 1992). "Drummer's Death Linked to Cocaine, Coroner Says: Autopsy: Report finds no evidence to support earlier belief that Toto's Jeff Porcaro died of an allergic reaction to a pesticide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b DeRiso, Nick (August 5, 2017). "25 Years Ago: Jeff Porcaro's Sudden Death Changes Toto Forever". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c Courter, Barry (June 1, 2017). "Toto keeps rockin' and rollin' along". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b Hernandez, Alan Carlos (July 16, 2017). "Sunday Interview: The Voice of Toto, Bobby Kimball". Herald de Paris et Cie. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b "Band History (Part 6)". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c Chiu, David (March 15, 2015). "Toto Bassist Mike Porcaro Dead at 59". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Steve Lukather – The end of Toto". Steve Lukather. June 8, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Kemp, Stuart (March 27, 2013). "Toto to Go on 35th Anniversary European Tour". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Band History (Part 7)". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c "The making of the new Toto XIV album". Steve Lukather. March 3, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Steve Lukather about some personnel moves for Toto". Steve Lukather. March 29, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Giles, Jeff (May 13, 2014). "Steve Lukather Talks New Toto Album: 'I Think This Is Gonna Surprise People'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "40 Trips around the sun world tour". Steve Lukather. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams Announce New Toto Line-Up and Plans to Bring The Dogz of Oz Tour Worldwide". totoofficial.com. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Greene, Andy (October 19, 2020). "Toto Reform With New Lineup, Plot 'Dogz of Oz' World Tour". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Toto Announce Plans to Move Confirmed Appearances to 2022 and Share Detail on Additional Announce / On-Sales". totoofficial.com. April 12, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "Tony Spinner". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b "Jessel, John (JJ)". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b "Leland Sklar". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b Johnson, Kevin (September 30, 2015). "David Hungate Leaves Toto, Leland Sklar Steps In". No Treble. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ a b "Jenny Douglas". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ "TOTO Announces 2024 Touring Lineup". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ Greene, Andy (2021-05-20). "Rock Utility Player Warren Ham on His Years With Ringo Starr, Toto, and Cher". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "TOTO members". toto_rocks.tripod.com. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ "Soundcheck-photo's 1980 in Japan by Keith Landry". toto_rocks.tripod.com. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ "Today in Music History: Toto's "Africa"". www.thecurrent.org. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ "Timothy B Schmit | Sessiondays". Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ "40 Trips around the sun world tour". 2018. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.