Artist:TotoSong:Rosanna
Album:Hit Collection
Toto were a group of Los Angeles studio musicians who had success in the early 80s. They broke through with the 1978 top five hit Hold The Line. Then they faltered for a few years and found success again with the 1982 top five hit Rosanna and the number one hit Africa. Toto faded after lead singer Bobby Kimball left. As I said, the band consisted of successful studio musicians. Keyboard player David Paich is the son of arranger Marty Paich. Drummer Jeff Porcaro is the son of session percussionist Joe Porcaro. These two went to high school together in North Hollywood. Both guys were on the 1977 Boz Scaggs album Silk Degrees and toured with Scaggs. They decided to start their own band and they brought in bassist David Hungate and guitarist Steve Lukather from the Scaggs touring band. And the added Jeff Porcaro's brother Steve Porcaro on keyboards and lead singer Bobby Kimball from the group S.S.Fools. The name Toto is Latin for all encompassing. The 1978 single Hold The line reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album Toto reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified 2XPlatinum. But their next two albums Hydra and Turn Back were disappointing. They were under a lot of pressure from Columbia to produce hits. And Toto IV delivered. Rosanna reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 followed by the number one hit Africa. Paich wrote Rosanna about his then girlfriend actress Rosanna Arquette. Toto won six Grammys including Record Of The Year for Rosanna. Davis Hungate left and was replaced by Mike Porcaro. Bobby Kimball was fired and replaced by Fergie Frederiksen of LaRoux. He lasted one album and tour and was replaced by Joseph Williams. He's the son of film composer John Williams. And they went through other lead singers. Toto never successfully replaced Kimball and they faded by the late 80s. Jeff Porcaro died in 1992 but Toto still tours today. You can get all their hits on this German budget comp. Here's the video for Rosanna by Toto.
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