Total articles: 328
Steve Lukather knows just what your average classic-rock fan is going to say about Toto’s just-announced 2015 summer North American tour with Yes — at least at first. “Really! That’s interesting,” he says, chuckling. “Then they might go, ‘Wow, that’s really cool! I’d go see that.'”
World-renowned recording artists, YES and Toto, today announced they will join forces this summer for a co-headlining North American tour.
After a ten year recording hiatus, Toto has returned with one of their most successful albums ever. Released last week, TOTO XIV charted all around the world showing the true dedication of their worldwide fans. The album landed in the Top 10 on the charts in nine countries (Germany #4, Netherlands #2, Japan #2, Denmark #7, Czech Republic #10, Finland #5, Norway #6, Sweden #4 and Switzerland #3). TOTO XIV also became the first new studio album to chart in the US & UK since 1988’s The Seventh One.
Melissa Parker made a smashing interview with Luke for Smashing Interviews Magazine on March 21st. They talked about Toto XIV, the passing of Mike and what's happening with the world. She allowed us to add some striking snippets to our website. Thanks Melissa!
Toto lead guitarist Steve Lukather spoke to The L.A. Times (Randy Lewis) on Monday (March 16th) following the death Sunday of the band's longtime bassist, Mike Porcaro, at age 59 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig.
David Hungate is the original bass player in Toto. He has a legendary amount of studio session credits that include Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Shania Twain, Boz Scaggs, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, Joe Cocker among countless others. David made a triumphant return to Toto last year after an over 3 decade hiatus. He also contributed to the long awaited Toto studio release Toto XIV. Hungate was kind enough to lend Reggie Boyle some of his time to talk about his return to Toto and many other subjects.
If Falling In Between and Hydra got it on with The Seventh One and Fahrenheit at a club called Tambu, then the kid would called Toto XIV.
In a word: brilliant.
In several: Toto XIV is a complete change of pace from Falling In Between, but is far more representative of the Toto legacy.
In fact, if someone asked me what Toto sounded like, previously I'd be hard pressed to think of which album best represented who they are as a band. It always depends on my mood. Not anymore.
The first three tracks from TOTO XIV, called “Orphan”, "Holy War" and "Burn", are available to view now on YouTube:
CJ Vanston produced the new Toto XIV album (released in Europe March 20 in the US March 24). He is also a keyboard player, film composer and man of many talents. Reggie Boyle ran into him at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show where he kindly agreed to do an interview. Reggie met him at his studio, The Tree House in the Los Angeles area where they chatted about many different things. They sat in the very comfortable control room which was the same exact spot where most of Toto's long awaited album was recorded.
Lenny Castro is a first call cat in the live percussion and session percussion game. He has an unbelievable list of sessions and live gigs. He is currently playing with Joe Bonamassa and is also well known for playing with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks among many, many others as well as Toto from the very beginning. He has recently rejoined Toto on their new album Toto XIV due March 24 in America and is joining them for their World Tour 2015. It has been a few decades since he played with them live but he never left the Toto family as he has been a part of their studio albums since back in the day. With original bass player David Hungate rejoining Toto last year and remaining on, this really solidifies Toto for 2015. I asked Lenny if he could spare some time for an interview and he didn't hesitate to agree. Lenny kindly invited me to his home where we basked in the January Southern California warmth and sun and covered many subjects.
TORONTO, CANADA -- ToneConcepts Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of Steve Lukather’s signature pedal, “The Luke”, developed in collaboration with one of the world’s most respected guitar players. “The Luke” is the first pedal in our upcoming ICON series of signature pedals developed with the world’s foremost guitarists.
Every long-hoped-for return from a legacy band brings with it the thorny issue of expectations. They must, alternatively, sound like themselves — and like something brand new. It’s an almost impossible proposition, but one that Toto deftly pulls off with the forthcoming XIV. By Nick DeRiso, somethingelsereviews.com, 2015/01/17.
Frontiers Music Srl has announced a March 20 release date for TOTO XIV in Europe, with The UK and Oceania on March 23, and North America on March 24. The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow.
Steve Lukather: "Hi everyone. What a year...
I am so very thankful to you all for the support and friendship and thanks for making this a great year for me.
Toto has the new album (Toto XIV) dropping end of March worldwide with a world tour to start in May and will go for the next few years. So don't be bummed if you don't see your city or country as it is a big world and we plan of seeing as many of you all as possible in 2015 and 2016 and beyond..."
Vegas Rocks! Magazine organized the fifth annual Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards 2014. This event celebrated Vegas Rocks! Magazine's 10th anniversary as the first-ever all-rock publication produced in Las Vegas. The 2014 awards show was held Sunday, November 23 at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort.
On October 1st 2014 MixOnLine.com published a great article by Robyn Flans about the golden years of the L.A. session scene. Flans was supported by David Foster, Bob Glaub, Dean Parks, Jim Keltner, John Robinson and Steve Lukather to make this a memorable story.
It was a warm, touching and huge night on August 7th for Toto playing at the quintessential venue in Los Angeles, the music capital of the World, the Greek Theatre. It seemed more like a family reunion than anything else. One of the first people I saw was Joe Porcaro as he walked in with another percussionist, Emil Richards. Porcaro, father of Jeff, Steve and Mike, all with Toto at one point told me "It's great to be here. I am excited and we get to see Michael McDonald too! I asked him if he'd seen Shannon Forrest yet and he said "I've known about him and followed him for years. He really is great!" As we spoke Porcaro family members walked by left and right. Part 1 shows the review of the Greek concert, part 2 the interview Reggie did with drummer Shannon Forest.
Toto's long awaited return to North America happened at the Spirit Mountain Casino located about an hour outside of Portland, Oregon. It was the site of the opening show of the their North American Tour. Michael McDonald is also on this tour which gives fan two headline acts on the same bill. Toto 2014 is Steve Lukather (g,v), David Paich (k,v), Steve Porcaro (k,v), Joseph Williams (v), Shannon Forrest (d) and includes the return of original Toto bass player David Hungate. Vocalists Mabvuto Carpenter and Jenny Douglas-Foote are also on the tour as lead/additional vocalists.
Once again the Ringo All Starr Tour ended in Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre. This edition of the core All Starrs has been together longer than any version EVER. Ringo's All Starrs have been touring for 25 years now. This version is still Steve Lukather on guitar, Greg Rolie on keyboards and organ, Todd Rundgren on guitar, keyboards, harmonica, Richard Page on bass and Greg Bissonette on drums. Warren Ham was added this year as a saxophonist and keyboard player. Warren has toured with Kansas, Kerry Livgren, Toto and more recently Olivia Newton John. Ham stepped in for long time Ringo Music Director Mark Rivera who had prior commitments to his long time gig with Billy Joel. All of the All Starrs add their vocals along with their many other music talents. Ringo once again is the ring leader. Ringo still plays drums, sings, jokes, tells stories and is a perfect Master of Ceremonies.
Nearly 60 years after he began pounding on his first drum kit, Ringo Starr isn't skipping a beat. The legendary ex-Beatle, who launches a tour with his All Starr Band on June 6th, is stretching the trek with a newly announced batch of dates in October. He's also starring in TV special on July 13th.
