TOP TEN: Toto

This band was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1977 when keyboardist David Paich asked drummer Jeff Porcaro (who he met in High School) if they wanted to form a group. They were joined by bassist David Hungate, guitarist Steve Lukather and Jeff’s brother Steve (keyboarder). After singer Bobby Kimball completed the formation they started working on their debut album. The band was allegedly named after Toto the dog from the movie „The Wizard of Oz“. Their first album with the same name climbed the charts very soon and peaked at #9 in the USA, #2 in Australia and charted all across Europe. The single „Hold The Line“ became their first Top 5 hit in their homecountry. They were nominated for a Grammy Award for „Best New Artist“. At the end of 1979 they released their 2nd album „Hydra“ – though the album didn’t garner the mainstream success that the debut album had. In 1981 the group released their 3rd album „Turn Back“.

In 1982 the group released their next album „Toto IV“ and scored a major hit across the world. The album sold over 12 million times and reached #1 in Australia, Switzerland and the Netherlands, peaked at #4 in the UK and the USA and had 3 Top Ten singles in the USA – among those „Africa“, which topped the US Billboard Single Charts. Toto won six Grammy Awards, including ‚Album of the Year‘ and ‚Record Of The Year‘ for the single ‚Rosanna‘ (#2 in the USA).

Singer David Kimball was fired from the band after facing prosecution for drug-related charges. He was replaced by Fergie Frederiksen. In 1984 they released their next album „Isolation“ and in 1986 „Fahrenheit“. Both albums had decent success worldwide but could not reach the heights they had before. Frederiksen was released and the band continued with Joseph Williams as his successor. In 1987 Steve Porcaro left the band but was not replaced. In 1988 the group released their next album „The Seventh One“. This album was very successful across Europe but had only moderate success in their homecountry.

The group reunited for a short time with singer Kimball but the record company wanted a different lead singer and so Jean-Michel Byron was hired, but the band did not mesh with him and his diva-like behaviour and he was soon let go. The band released their next album „Kingdom of Desire“ in 1993, „Tambu“ in 1996 and „Mindfields“ in 1999. Kimball returned in 1998.

The band has been going on off hiatus but Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams stll appear on stage as Toto. Time for you to give you my favorite 10 songs of this group. Hope you enjoy! What are your favorites? Write in the comments and discuss this ranking.

No copyright infringement intended you can buy and stream all these songs in your favorite store in full length. No money is made with these videos, they are simply a hobby to celebrate music. To support Toto go to their official sites, buy and stream their songs. Thank you!