List of Toto band members

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 Robert "Sput" Searight (since 2020), keyboardists Dominique "Xavier" Talpin (since 2018) and Steve Maggiora (since 2020), and multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham (since 2017, and originally from 1986 to 1988).

Two lineups of Toto onstage in 1982 (top) and 2010 (bottom).

History

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.[1] 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.[2] Kimball left two years later, with Lukather crediting his dismissal to increasing vocal problems stemming from his cocaine use.[3] He was replaced by Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen (who performed on Isolation before), Byron remained for the album's promotional tour, 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.[4] The band's constant drummer Jeff Porcaro died of a heart attack on August 5, 1992. [5]

After briefly considering disbanding, Toto returned to touring, with Los Angeles-based British drummer Simon Phillips replacing Jeff Porcaro.[6] 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.[4][7] After the tour, Kimball remained with the band.[8] 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.[9] Mike Porcaro was forced to retire in 2007 due to illness, with Leland Sklar filling in.[10] 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".[11]

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.[12] Lukather, Paich and Phillips were joined by former members Joseph Williams and Steve Porcaro, and touring bassist Nathan East.[13] 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.[14] Original bassist David Hungate also returned for the album's touring cycle, with Shannon Forrest also taking over from Carlock.[15][16] The current lineup of Toto, due to tour in 2018, includes Joseph Williams, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Shem von Schroeck, Shannon Forrest, Lenny Castro and Warren Ham.[17]

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 backing vocalist Tony Spinner (from 1999 to 2008),[18] keyboardist and backing vocalist John Jessel (from 1991 to 2004),[19] bassist Leland Sklar (from 2007 to 2008, and in 2016),[20][21] and backing vocalist Jenny Douglas-Foote (from 1990 to 1997, 2011 to 2012, and 2014 to 2016).[22] Many of these additional musicians have also contributed to Toto's studio albums, both during their tenures and as guest contributors.

Current members

Official

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Steve Lukather
  • 1977–2008
  • 2010–2019
  • 2020–present
  • lead guitar
  • lead and backing vocals
all Toto releases
Joseph Williams
  • 1986–1988
  • 1998
  • 2010–2019
  • 2020–present
lead and backing vocals

Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Warren Ham
  • 1986–1988
  • 2017–2019
  • 2020–present
  • saxophone
  • harmonica
  • flute
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • percussion
40 Tours Around the Sun (2019)
Dominique "Xavier" Taplin
  • 2018–2019
  • 2020–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
none (live shows only)
John Pierce 2020–present bass
Steve Maggiora
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Robert "Sput" Searight
  • drums
  • percussion

Former members

Official

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
David Paich
  • 1977-2008
  • 2010-2019; semi-retirement from touring 2005-2008
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • backing and lead vocals
all Toto releases except Falling in Between Live (2007)
Steve Porcaro
  • 1977–1988
  • 1998
  • 2010–2019
  • synthesizers
  • keyboards
  • programming
  • electronics
  • backing and lead vocals
Jeff Porcaro 1977–1992 (until his death)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • all Toto releases from Toto (1978) to Kingdom of Desire (1992)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002)
  • Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
Bobby Kimball
  • 1977–1984

  • 1998–2008
lead and backing vocals
  • all Toto releases from Toto (1978) to Toto IV (1982)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Mindfields (1999)
  • Livefields (1999)
  • all Toto releases from Through the Looking Glass (2002) to Falling in Between Live (2007)
David Hungate
  • 1977–1982
  • 2014–2015
  • bass
  • guitar
  • all Toto releases from Toto (1978) to Toto IV (1982)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Toto XIV (2015)
Mike Porcaro 1982–2007 (died 2015)
  • bass
  • occasional cello
  • occasional backing vocals
  • all Toto releases from Toto IV (1982) to Falling in Between (2006)
  • Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
Fergie Frederiksen 1984–1985 (died 2014) lead and backing vocals
Jean-Michel Byron 1989-1990
  • Past to Present 1977–1990 (1990) – "Love Has the Power", "Out of Love", "Can You Hear What I'm Saying", and "Animal" only
  • Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002)
Simon Phillips
  • 1992–2008
  • 2010–2014
  • drums
all Toto releases from Absolutely Live (1993) to 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014), except Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002)
Greg Phillinganes 2005–2008 (touring substitute for Paich from 2003–05 until his semi-retirement from the group in 2005)
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • lead and backing vocals
  • Falling in Between (2006)
  • Falling in Between Live (2007)
Keith Carlock 2014–2015
  • drums
  • percussion
  • occasional backing vocals
Toto XIV (2015)

Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Lenny Castro
  • 1979–1987
  • 2015–2019
  • percussion
  • congas
all Toto releases except Turn Back (1981)
Tom Kelly 1979
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Toto IV (1982)
  • Isolation (1984)
  • The Seventh One (1988)
Keith Landry 1980 none
Jon Smith 1982
  • saxophone
  • backing vocals
Toto IV (1982)
Timothy B. Schmit backing vocals
  • Toto IV (1982)
  • Mindfields (1999)
Paulette Brown-Castro 1985–1987 (died 1998) backing vocals Fahrenheit (1986)
Scott Page 1985
  • saxophone
  • guitar
  • flute
  • backing vocals
none
Ralph Rickert 1986–1987
  • saxophone
  • backing vocals
Luis Conte 1988 percussion Past to Present 1977–1990 (1990)
Jenny Douglas-McRae
  • 1990–1997
  • 2011–2012
  • 2014–2016
backing vocals
  • all Toto releases from Kingdom of Desire (1992) to Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002)
  • Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
Chris Trujillo 1990–1993 percussion
  • Kingdom of Desire (1992)
  • Absolutely Live (1993)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002)
  • Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
Jackie McGhee 1990–1991 backing vocals
  • Kingdom of Desire (1992)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002)
  • Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
John Jessel 1990–2003
  • keyboards
  • programming
  • backing vocals
Fred White 1991 backing vocals
  • Kingdom of Desire (1992)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
  • Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
John James 1992–1997
  • Absolutely Live (1993)
  • Tambu (1995)
  • Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998)
Donna McDaniel 1992–1994 Kingdom of Desire (1992)
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
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Livefields (1999)
  • 25th Anniversary: Live in Amsterdam (2003)
  • Falling in Between Live (2007)
Buddy Hyatt 1999–2000
  • backing vocals
Livefields (1999)
Jeff Babko 2000
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
none – filled in temporarily for David Paich
Jon Farriss 2003 drums none – filled in temporarily for Simon Phillips
Ricky Lawson
Leland Sklar
  • 2007–2008
  • 2016-2017
bass
  • Falling in Between Live (2007)
Mabvuto Carpenter 2010–2016 backing vocals
  • 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014)
  • Toto XIV (2015)
Nathan East 2010–2014
  • bass
  • backing vocals
35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014)
Jory Steinberg 2010 backing vocals none
Amy Keys 2013–2014
  • 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014)
David Santos 2015 bass none – filled in temporarily for David Hungate
Shannon Forrest 2015–2019 drums
  • Old Is New (2018) – one track only
  • 40 Tours Around The Sun (2019)
Shem von Schroeck 2017–2019
  • bass
  • backing vocals
40 Tours Around The Sun (2019)

Musician timelines

Band member timeline

Touring musician timeline

Recording Timeline

Role Album
Toto
(1978)
Hydra
(1979)
Turn Back
(1981)
Toto IV
(1982)
Isolation
(1984)
Dune
(1984)
Fahrenheit
(1986)
The Seventh One
(1988)
Kingdom of Desire
(1992)
Tambu
(1995)
Toto XX
(1998)
Mindfields
(1999)
Through the Looking Glass
(2002)
Falling in Between
(2006)
Toto XIV
(2015)
Old Is New
(2018)
Lead Vocals Bobby Kimball Fergie Frederiksen no-one Joseph Williams Steve Lukather various singers Bobby Kimball Joseph Williams
Guitar/vocals Steve Lukather
Bass David Hungate Mike Porcaro Mike Porcaro/David Hungate Mike Porcaro David Hungate David Hungate/Mike Porcaro
Keyboards/vocals David Paich
Synthesizers Steve Porcaro Steve Porcaro/John Jessel David Paich Steve Porcaro no-one Greg Phillinganes Steve Porcaro
Drums Jeff Porcaro Simon Phillips Jeff Porcaro Simon Phillips Keith Carlock Jeff Porcaro/Vinnie Colaiuta

Lineups

Period Personnel Releases
Official members Touring musicians
1977–1982
  • Lenny Castro – percussion, congas (from 1979)
  • Tom Kelly – guitar, backing vocals (1979)
  • Keith Landry – guitar, backing vocals (1980)
  • Jon Smith – saxophone, backing vocals (1981–82)
  • Timothy B. Schmit – backing vocals (1981–82)
1982–1984
  • Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
none
1984–1985
  • Fergie Frederiksen – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
  • Lenny Castro – percussion, congas
1985–1987
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
  • Lenny Castro – percussion, congas
  • Warren Ham – saxophone, backing vocals
  • Paulette Brown-Castro – backing vocals
  • Scott Page – saxophone, backing vocals (1985)
  • Ralph Rickert – saxophone, backing vocals (1986–87)
1987–1988
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
  • Luis Conte – percussion
  • Warren Ham – saxophone, backing vocals
1988–1989
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
none none
1989
  • Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
1990
  • Jean-Michel Byron – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
1990–1992
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
  • Chris Trujillo – percussion
  • Jenny Douglas-Foote – backing vocals
  • Jackie McGhee – backing vocals
  • John Jessel – keyboards, backing vocals (from 1991)
  • Denny Dias – guitar (1991)
  • Fred White – backing vocals (1991)
1992–1998
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Simon Phillips – drums, percussion
  • John Jessel – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jenny Douglas-Foote – backing vocals
  • John James – backing vocals
  • Donna McDaniel – backing vocals (until 1994)
  • Chris Trujillo – percussion (until 1993)
  • Gregg Bissonette – drums (1995 substitute)
  • Sofia Bender – backing vocals (1996 substitute)
1998–2005
  • Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Simon Phillips – drums, percussion
  • Tony Spinner – guitar, backing vocals
  • John Jessel – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Buddy Hyatt – backing vocals (1999–2000)
  • Jeff Babko – keyboards (2000 substitute)
  • Jon Farriss – drums (2003 substitute)
  • Ricky Lawson – drums (2003 substitute)
2005–2007
  • Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mike Porcaro – bass
  • Simon Phillips – drums, percussion
  • Tony Spinner – guitar, backing vocals
2007–2008
  • Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Simon Phillips – drums, percussion
  • Tony Spinner – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leland Sklar – bass
Band inactive June 2008 – February 2010
February 2010 – January 2014
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • Simon Phillips – drums, percussion
  • Nathan East – bass, backing vocals
  • Mabvuto Carpenter – backing vocals
  • Jory Steinberg – backing vocals (2010)
  • Jenny Douglas-Foote – backing vocals (2011–12)
  • Amy Keys – backing vocals (from 2013)
  • 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014)
January – March 2014
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • Keith Carlock – drums, percussion
  • Nathan East – bass, backing vocals
  • Mabvuto Carpenter – backing vocals
  • Amy Keys – backing vocals
March 2014 – September 2015
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • David Hungate – bass
  • Keith Carlock – drums, percussion
  • Shannon Forrest – drums
  • Mabvuto Carpenter – backing vocals
  • Jenny Douglas-Foote – backing vocals
  • Toto XIV (2015) – four tracks
September 2015 – October 2019
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • David Paich – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • Shannon Forrest – drums
  • Lenny Castro – percussion, congas
  • David Santos – bass (2015)
  • Mabvuto Carpenter – backing vocals (until 2016)
  • Jenny Douglas-Foote – backing vocals (until 2016)
  • Leland Sklar – bass (2016)
  • Shem von Schroek – bass, backing vocals (2017-19)
  • Warren Ham – saxophone, backing vocals (2017-19)
  • Xavier Taplin – keyboards, backing vocals (2018-19)
Band inactive October 2019 – October 2020
October 2020 – present
  • Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • John Pierce – bass
  • Xavier Taplin – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Steve Maggiora – keyboards
  • Warren Ham – saxophone, backing vocals
  • Robert "Sput" Searight – drums

none

References

  1. Ruhlmann, William. "Toto: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  2. Suchow, Rick (October 7, 2015). "David Hungate: Toto Recall". Bass Player. NewBay Media. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. Elliott, Paul (October 15, 2016). "The Secret History Of Toto". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. Giles, Jeff (October 18, 2013). "Interview: Steve Lukather Recounts 35 Years of Toto History". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  5. 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.
  6. DeRiso, Nick (August 5, 2017). "25 Years Ago: Jeff Porcaro's Sudden Death Changes Toto Forever". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  7. Courter, Barry (June 1, 2017). "Toto keeps rockin' and rollin' along". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. 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.
  9. "Band History (Part 6)". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  10. Chiu, David (March 15, 2015). "Toto Bassist Mike Porcaro Dead at 59". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  11. "Steve Lukather - The end of Toto". Steve Lukather. June 8, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  12. Kemp, Stuart (March 27, 2013). "Toto to Go on 35th Anniversary European Tour". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  13. "Band History (Part 7)". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  14. "The making of the new Toto XIV album". Steve Lukather. March 3, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  15. "Steve Lukather about some personnel moves for Toto". Steve Lukather. March 29, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  16. 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.
  17. "40 Trips around the sun world tour". Steve Lukather. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  18. "Tony Spinner". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  19. "Jessel, John (JJ)". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  20. "Leland Sklar". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  21. Johnson, Kevin (September 30, 2015). "David Hungate Leaves Toto, Leland Sklar Steps In". No Treble. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  22. "Jenny Douglas". Toto. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
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