David Paich

A prolific writer of chart-performing songs, Paich wrote or co-wrote such tracks as "Hold the Line", "99", "Lowdown", "Lido Shuffle", "Georgy Porgy", "Rosanna", "Hydra", "Holyanna", "Pamela", "Got To Be Real", "Lady Love Me (One More Time)", and "Miss Sun". He also performed lead vocals on the Toto hits "Africa", "Lovers in the Night", and "Stranger in Town".

Paich remained with Toto from the beginning of the band in 1977 until 2004, then performed on only a few shows until their disbandment in 2008. Session keyboardist Greg Phillinganes joined Toto in 2003 as an additional keyboardist for both studio projects and tour dates. In 2010, Paich resumed performing with Toto, and until mid-2018 was one of the band's keyboard players, alongside fellow original member Steve Porcaro.

With Toto in between legs of its 2018 40 Trips Around the Sun (40th anniversary) tour, the band announced via its official website on July 20, 2018 that Paich "will not be performing on the band's planned North American tour [lasting from July 30-November 17]. The recent European appearances [February 11-April 8] took a toll on his personal well-being... He plans on focusing on his health, and looks forward to returning to the road when ready to do so." Guitarist Steve Lukather later stated that Paich's absence stemmed partially from an apparent seizure he suffered during the band's early 2018 European tour.[2]

Paich returned to the stage with Toto for the opening and closing shows of their 2019 US tour, reportedly their last, on September 20 in Los Angeles and October 20 in Philadelphia. In both instances, Paich joined the band at the end of the show to play keyboards and sing on "Africa" and "Home of the Brave." However, the band dissolved by the end of the tour before he could make a full return.

Though the band reformed in October 2020 for a live-streamed concert the following month, Paich was not involved in the show and is not expected to be involved in the band's upcoming 2021 Dogz of Oz tour.[3][4]

He has co-writing credits with Boz Scaggs on the songs "What Can I Say", "Lowdown", and "Lido Shuffle" from the multi-platinum album Silk Degrees, and occasionally still sits in on keyboards with Boz Scaggs' band. As songwriter he wrote or co-wrote songs for Cher,[5][6] The Jacksons,[7] Andy Williams,[8] George Benson,[9] Glen Campbell,[10] Boz Scaggs,[11] Jon Anderson[12] (Yes), Cherie & Marie Currie,[13][14] and Chicago.[15] As arranger he worked for Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin, Donna Summer, the Doobie Brothers and many more.

In 1977, Paich produced the No. 1 R&B hit "Break It to Me Gently" by Aretha Franklin.

In the early and mid-1980s, Paich often worked with well-known producers Quincy Jones and David Foster. Paich was a part of the session group on the Michael Jackson album Thriller. He played piano, synthesizer, and did some synth and rhythm arrangements.

In 1982, Paich produced and arranged the song "It's A Long Road" for the film First Blood.

In 1989, Paich produced and arranged the Oscar-nominated song "The Girl Who Used to Be Me", written by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the film Shirley Valentine and produced the song "I'll Be Holding On", written by Hans Zimmer and Will Jennings, for the film Black Rain.

In 1994, Paich was a producer on the Tramaine Hawkins album "TO A HIGHER PLACE" which was nominated for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

In October 2009, David Paich was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame along with the other members of Toto.

Paich was the Co-Music Director for President Bill Clinton's Foundation Concert in 2011. That year Paich also performed on the all-star benefit album entitled Jazz For Japan (Avatar Records).

David was the music coordinator for 2012 Music Cares Person of the Year, Paul McCartney.

For his extraordinary contributions to the world of music, David Paich was honored with the 2013 South-South Award for Lifetime Cultural Achievement.

As a session musician, Paich has played on numerous soundtracks and on albums by many artists, including Elkie Brooks' album Rich Man's Woman; Bryan Adams' song "Please Forgive Me"; the Michael Jackson songs "Earth Song", "The Girl Is Mine", "Heal the World", "Stranger in Moscow", and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"; and the USA for Africa song "We Are the World", as well as work with Aretha Franklin, Boz Scaggs, Quincy Jones, Melanie Safka, Don Henley, Diana Ross, the Doobie Brothers, Neil Diamond, Seals and Crofts, Steely Dan, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Cher, Randy Newman, the Brothers Johnson and Pink.

Paich traveled to China, where he worked composing theme music for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2009, he sang the hit song "Africa" at the Millennium Development Goals awards in New York and co-produced a new tune for George Benson. Paich was involved with the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards as a music producer and keyboardist for the on-stage band.[16]