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 members Lukather and Paich, original member Steve Porcaro (who rejoined in 2010, after leaving in 1987), and lead vocalist Joseph Williams (who originally joined in 1986, and rejoined in 2010). The band also tours with several additional musicians, currently bassist Shem von Schroeck (since 2017), drummer Shannon Forrest (since 2014), percussionist Lenny Castro (since 2015, and originally from 1979 to 1987) and saxophonist 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 befortitle=Interview: Steve Lukather Recounts 35 Years of Toto History |last=Giles |first=Jeff |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=Loudwire |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2017 }}</ref> 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, later revealed to be caused by "hardening of the arteries" due to cocaine use.[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.

Final lineup (until hiatus)

Official

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Steve Lukather	1977–2008 2010–2019	guitar backing and lead vocals	all Toto releases
	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	1977–1987 2010–2019	synthesizers keyboards programming electronics	all Toto releases from Toto (1978) to Kingdom of Desire (1992) Tambu (1995) Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998) Mindfields (1999) Through the Looking Glass (2002) Falling in Between (2006) 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014) Toto XIV (2015) 40 Tours Around the Sun (2019)
	Joseph Williams	1986–1988 2010–2019	lead and backing vocals	Fahrenheit (1986) The Seventh One (1988) Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998) Falling in Between (2006) 35th Anniversary: Live in Poland (2014) Toto XIV (2015) 40 Tours Around the Sun (2019)

Touring

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Lenny Castro	1979–1987 2015–2019	percussion congas	Toto (1978) Hydra (1979) all Toto studio albums from Toto IV (1982) onwards
	Warren Ham	1986–1988 2017–2019	saxophone harmonica flute backing and occasional lead vocals	40 Tours Around the Sun (2019)
	Shannon Forrest	2015–2019	drums
	Shem von Schroeck	2017–2019	bass backing vocals
	Dominique "Xavier" Taplin	2018–2019	keyboards backing vocals	none – filled in temporarily for David Paich

Former members

Official

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	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 2014–2016	bass occasional 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	Isolation (1984)
	Jean-Michel Byron	1990		Past to Present 1977–1990 (1990) 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 member for Paich from 2003–05 until his semi-retirement from the group in 2005)	keyboards synthesizers backing and lead vocals	Falling in Between (2006) Falling in Between Live (2007)
	Keith Carlock	2014–2015	drums	Toto XIV (2015)

Touring

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Tom Kelly	1979	guitar backing vocals	Toto IV (1982) Isolation (1984) The Seventh One (1988)
	Keith Landry	1980		none
	Jon Smith	1981–1982	saxophone backing vocals	Toto IV (1982)
	Timothy B. Schmit		backing vocals	Toto IV (1982) Mindfields (1999)
	James Newton Howard	1982	keyboards	Toto IV (1982) Isolation (1984) The Seventh One (1988)
	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	Kingdom of Desire (1992) Absolutely Live (1993) Tambu (1995) Livefields (1999) Greatest Hits Live... and More (2002) 25th Anniversary: Live in Amsterdam (2003)
	Fred White	1991	backing vocals	Kingdom of Desire (1992) Toto XX: 1977–1997 (1998) Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
	Denny Dias		guitar	none
	John James	1992–1997	backing vocals	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

Member timelines

Band Member Timeline

Touring Member 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 members
1977–1982	Bobby Kimball – 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, guitar Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion	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)	Toto (1978) Hydra (1979) Turn Back (1981) Toto IV (1982)
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	Lenny Castro – percussion, congas James Newton Howard – keyboards (1982)	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	Isolation (1984) Dune (1984) (without Frederiksen)
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)	Fahrenheit (1986)
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	The Seventh One (1988)
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		"Goin' Home" (1998)
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		Past to Present 1977–1990 (1990)
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)	Kingdom of Desire (1992) Live at Montreux 1991 (2016)
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)	Absolutely Live (1993) Tambu (1995)
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)	Mindfields (1999) Livefields (1999) Through the Looking Glass (2002) Live in Amsterdam (2003)
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	Falling in Between (2006)
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	Falling in Between Live (2007) (does not feature Paich)
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	Toto XIV (2015)
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)	Old Is New (2018) 40 Tours Around the Sun (2019)
Band inactive October 2019 – present

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.

External links

• Toto official website