Mr. Lukather Comments...

[JohnH]

"Basically, the two guys should meet up for a beer or something and talk about it like civilised adults "

I know I'm tired, for a second I thought this said civilized Addicts. They are now aren't they?

[TotoStu]

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[Brett]

Some interesting comments from Luke in the latest 'Fireworks':

Amongst the reasons for splitting up the band in 2008 (well he says 2006, but we know what he means) is that he 'wasn't getting on with the singer' and later he talks about how happy he is having JW back in the band:

'We had real success with Joe - he was another high school friend - Bobby was never a friend, he was just some oddball guy from Louisiana. It was hot and cold, sometimes good, sometimes really bad. I'm not going to bag on the guy, it was just something that didn't work anymore for me'.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Some interesting comments from Luke in the latest 'Fireworks':

Amongst the reasons for splitting up the band in 2008 (well he says 2006, but we know what he means) is that he 'wasn't getting on with the singer' and later he talks about how happy he is having JW back in the band:

'We had real success with Joe - he was another high school friend - Bobby was never a friend, he was just some oddball guy from Louisiana. It was hot and cold, sometimes good, sometimes really bad. I'm not going to bag on the guy, it was just something that didn't work anymore for me'.

Thanks for taking the time to type out Luke's comments. Wish I had more insight into the band's dynamics. There was an apparent lack of chemistry between Luke and Bobby on-stage last time I saw them in the US. During the TOTO XX tour, I think the band wanted Joe back, but his voice wasn't up to it. Wish someone would just spill the beans already.

[TotoFan77]

Why did Toto take Bobby back then in 1998? They were doing just fine without him, Tambu was pretty successful and "I Will Remember" was a big hit.

[TotoStu]

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[lordreo]

So he blames the split of the band on not being able to get on with Kimball, says Kimball was "never a friend", refers to him as an "oddball guy from Louisiana" - and THEN says he's not going to bag on the guy? Wow. What would it be like if he DID decide to "bag" on him?

Mr Lukather, if you're reading this - I'm a huge Toto fan. Hearing the song "Roseanna" (Which both you and Kimball sing on) is my FIRST EVER MEMORY. Can't you see that it's kind of sad to read these kind of comments for someone like me? Come on man... I grew up with you dudes.

I don't think this comment is too harsh compared to some others I heard. I guess he just wants to point out that Toto wasn't a group of friends that joined together, and therefore there are bound to be some problems. I mean he doesn't say anything bad about Kimball, just that they didn't know him and never became friends.

You know, I love Toto. And there's nothing I'd like more than seeing these guys make up on this board (except maybe meeting them). But if any of them answered here, there would be too many people that don't actually know anything, picking fights with them, just because they have a different opinion. But I do hope they are still reading here (so that they know the fans would like a new album ). We won't change their minds, and we shouldn't. If they don't get along that's just the way it is. As long as the band is on the road with Joseph Williams and it works, there is no reason to change anything anyway.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, this thing happened quite some time ago. Just let the guys do what they want. Lukather touring with Williams as Toto and Kimball touring with the Toto songs (not using the Toto name on merchandise of course)

PS: Sorry if this post is hard to understand, I was unable to put my thoughts into English sentences.

[DracIsBack]

Thanks for taking the time to type out Luke's comments. Wish I had more insight into the band's dynamics. There was an apparent lack of chemistry between Luke and Bobby on-stage last time I saw them in the US. During the TOTO XX tour, I think the band wanted Joe back, but his voice wasn't up to it. Wish someone would just spill the beans already.

There seemed to be an apparent lack of chemistry between Bobby and everybody when I saw them in the Falling In Between tour. Loved the show, but he really didn't seem like he was part of the band.

[TotoStu]

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[DracIsBack]

There seemed to be an apparent lack of chemistry between Bobby and everybody when I saw them in the Falling In Between tour. Loved the show, but he really didn't seem like he was part of the band.

Why do you suppose that was?

No idea. The first sign I saw of it was on the 2003 Amsterdam DVD. If you watch the behind-the-scenes stuff, Bobby comes across as the odd-man out. At least that's how I interpreted it.

When I saw them in 2006, he was off to the side, and often left the stage when he wasn't singing. I don't recall him even interacting with the other band members at all. Luke had more rapport with Philliganes and Lee Sklar (da new guys) than Bobby.

[TotoStu]

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[Andrew]

These interview "quotes" are lost without the full transcript. The vibe of the interview and the actual comments in question take on a different tone when isolated.

Luke doesn't hold any issue with Bobby. He's just doing what he loves doing. Time to move on.

[TotoStu]

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[The_Noble_Cause]

Bobby did SIX albums with these guys. To refer to him as some sort of random creole backwater hobo is a bit of a stretch. In the US, the TOTO hits that get regular rotation on classic rock radio are Hold the Line and I'll Be Over You and Roseanna and Africa. As much as I love Pamela and Can't Stop Loving You, I have NEVER once heard them played. Bobby deserves more respect. Joe is loved by die-hards in the same way Steve Augeri is by Journey fans. Truthfully tho, his impact on the band overall is nil. Same as Fergie or JMB. If Luke wants to schmuck around and have fun with his "high school buddies", he should do what everyone else does - go set-up a class reunion on Facebook.

As far as Bobby touring behind the TOTO hits....who the hell cares? Luke just did it with Ringo's glorified cheesy Vegas lounge act. Is Bobby not allowed to feed his kids?

[lordreo]

Bobby did SIX albums with these guys. To refer to him as some sort of random creole backwater hobo is a bit of a stretch. In the US, the TOTO hits that get regular rotation on classic rock radio are Hold the Line and I'll Be Over You and Roseanna and Africa. As much as I love Pamela and Can't Stop Loving You, I have NEVER once heard them played. Bobby deserves more respect. Joe is loved by die-hards in the same way Steve Augeri is by Journey fans. Truthfully tho, his impact on the band overall is nil. Same as Fergie or JMB. If Luke wants to schmuck around and have fun with his "high school buddies", he should do what everyone else does - go set-up a class reunion on Facebook.

Seriously? You compare the influence of JMB to the influence Joseph had? I'm not saying Bobby didn't have a big influence on the band and their style, but if things don't work on a personal Level why should a band go on? If they are happy with Joseph and Bobby is happy with his band then why change anything?

By the way, over here they actually play "I'll be over you". Granted, not as much as "Africa" or "Hold the Line", but they do play it

[The_Noble_Cause]

Bobby did SIX albums with these guys. To refer to him as some sort of random creole backwater hobo is a bit of a stretch. In the US, the TOTO hits that get regular rotation on classic rock radio are Hold the Line and I'll Be Over You and Roseanna and Africa. As much as I love Pamela and Can't Stop Loving You, I have NEVER once heard them played. Bobby deserves more respect. Joe is loved by die-hards in the same way Steve Augeri is by Journey fans. Truthfully tho, his impact on the band overall is nil. Same as Fergie or JMB. If Luke wants to schmuck around and have fun with his "high school buddies", he should do what everyone else does - go set-up a class reunion on Facebook.

Seriously? You compare the influence of JMB to the influence Joseph had? I'm not saying Bobby didn't have a big influence on the band and their style, but if things don't work on a personal Level why should a band go on? If they are happy with Joseph and Bobby is happy with his band then why change anything?

By the way, over here they actually play "I'll be over you". Granted, not as much as "Africa" or "Hold the Line", but they do play it

In hindsight, my comments are stupid. Alot of the touring proceeds are going to help Mike.

[Andrew]

Luke doesn't hold any issue with Bobby.

If this is Mr Lukather "not holding an issue" with someone, I'd hate to be the one on the business end if he did!

Like I said - you aren't getting the FULL interview. Give it a rest.

[TotoStu]

SO SO SO deleted

[Brett]

Ditto - I only posted the quotes as they seemed relevant to the existing conversation - I don't really agree that they read differently out of the context of the full intervew either(well, in it's published version at least -Andrew's comments suggest he's seen more than was printed?) but happy to agree to disagree on that and say no more!)

[TotoFan77]

Everything needs to stay the way that it is. I am LOVING the current version of Toto and the 2012 setlist was the best setlist since the 80's. Everyone seems really happy and I hope it stays that way.

[Andrew]

I will be interviewing Luke to get to the nitty gritty of all this and more.

[TotoStu]

I will be interviewing Luke to get to the nitty gritty of all this and more.

That would be interesting to read. Got an ETA on that?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Luke complains that Bobby goes out there and fraudulently tours as TOTO or the Voice of TOTO. But you know, alot of the promotional efforts break down to individual markets and venues. Neal Schon has gone on-record and said that he is against radio stations using Perry's voice to promote the new lineup. The stations do it anyway.

[WalrusOct9]

Wow. If that's the case and has always been the case then why was Kimball bought back for the Mindfields album? This is what I don't get...

I imagine Sony had a hand in that. Kingdom of Desire & Tambu are great albums, and did okay, but weren't massive successes. After they dug through the vaults for Toto XX and did a couple of promo shows, I imagine they decided it was water under the bridge and it'd be best for the band to have a real singer instead of Luke singing the whole album. Lots of factors. You don't have to be best friends with someone to be in a band with them, at least for a few years.

[DracIsBack]

I imagine Sony had a hand in that. Kingdom of Desire & Tambu are great albums, and did okay, but weren't massive successes. After they dug through the vaults for Toto XX and did a couple of promo shows, I imagine they decided it was water under the bridge and it'd be best for the band to have a real singer instead of Luke singing the whole album. Lots of factors. You don't have to be best friends with someone to be in a band with them, at least for a few years.

Exactly. It's how they earn a living. Business. Bobby's era was the most successful part of Toto's career.

THough not sure it's fair to suggest Luke isn't a 'real singer'.

[WalrusOct9]

THough not sure it's fair to suggest Luke isn't a 'real singer'.

I always like Luke's voice on the first 7 (and last few) Toto albums. I also like the way he's gotten a bit more raspy and a deepened tone with age. He's a perfectly fine singer, and the songs he did on Toto records were always very well suited for him. But he's also a bit one-dimensional as a vocalist (as is Paich, which is why the rotating singers concept worked so well for the band). Kingdom Of Desire, especially...he has some good vocal moments but other tunes he just sort of shouts his way through, where a full-time singer might've taken a bit more nuanced approach. There's singers (say, Peter Gabriel or Steve Perry) who I could listen to for hours straight, and guys like Luke, who have their sweet spot musically, but I tire a bit on a full album. The music & guitar playing is more important to me, but I do miss the multiple singers.

[Joe Vana]

THough not sure it's fair to suggest Luke isn't a 'real singer'.

I always like Luke's voice on the first 7 (and last few) Toto albums. I also like the way he's gotten a bit more raspy and a deepened tone with age. He's a perfectly fine singer, and the songs he did on Toto records were always very well suited for him. But he's also a bit one-dimensional as a vocalist (as is Paich, which is why the rotating singers concept worked so well for the band). Kingdom Of Desire, especially...he has some good vocal moments but other tunes he just sort of shouts his way through, where a full-time singer might've taken a bit more nuanced approach. There's singers (say, Peter Gabriel or Steve Perry) who I could listen to for hours straight, and guys like Luke, who have their sweet spot musically, but I tire a bit on a full album. The music & guitar playing is more important to me, but I do miss the multiple singers.

Well....Walrus....with ALL respect....Luke IS a REAL singer....he is FAR from a one dimensional singer....and "full time singer"????? huh???....what????....the guy does over 100 live shows a year....sings a TON....and is a Pro's Pro....the guy has sung hits as ballads, and rockers....so there goes the one dimensional theory....If you want to talk technique, lets....I am well versed....but as far as being one dimensional, or not a "full time" singer....well...enough of that....

I will say this....I am friends with all involved, so I will be a bit vague.....BUT....I see a lot of shit slung on here....with obvious bias....I work/write with TD, just did a full album with him that was received very well, I have worked and sung alongside Luke, Bobby and the gang.....and the misrepresentation of things on here is amazing....it sounds alot like guys who have taken sides, have an axe to grind...the LAST thing BK or LUKE wants is a shit storm on here about 4 year old shit, or people's agenda getting mixed up with facts....with that being said anybody can post whatever they want.....BUT....how about rational debate about things.....since we are discussing a band which has pedigree like none other on heret....these guys are the "players players"...simple....name your band on here that has had a better pedigree of musicianship and I will pay the next bill...I guess I ask this selfishly because I would love to be active in this forum, but a shit storm always ensues....maybe I am asking for too much...who knows....

Have a great day.....JV

[Joe Vana]

Everything needs to stay the way that it is. I am LOVING the current version of Toto and the 2012 setlist was the best setlist since the 80's. Everyone seems really happy and I hope it stays that way.

I agree....they are playing ARENAS, and selling REALLY well....while others play clubs and give away tix to try to fill it up......they are still a relevant band, and I for one am thrilled to see it!!!

JV

[WalrusOct9]

Well....Walrus....with ALL respect....Luke IS a REAL singer....he is FAR from a one dimensional singer....and "full time singer"????? huh???....what????....the guy does over 100 live shows a year....sings a TON....and is a Pro's Pro....the guy has sung hits as ballads, and rockers....so there goes the one dimensional theory....If you want to talk technique, lets....I am well versed....but as far as being one dimensional, or not a "full time" singer....well...enough of that....

Sorry Joe. I know you're buds with Luke...when I say "full-time" singer, I guess I mean someone who's a singer first: Mercury, Jeff Scott Soto, Bono, etc. There are certainly tunes very well suited to his voice...just randomly put on "Melanie" on my drive home tonight and it's a killer vocal track. But I do also feel at the same time, there's a handful of tunes on his solo records (going back to '89) that arguably couldn't be better served by a different singer had they become Toto tunes, that's all. I will say, especially on his most recent solo efforts, the dude is really giving it his all vocally, and I've been impressed where I'd been underwhelmed on his 90's LP's, but I'd still argue there's a limit to what he can do. He's a guitar player who happens to sing a bit, which wouldn't even entire my consciousness if he hadn't happened to be in a band with guys like Joe Williams, y'know? I really hope I didn't offend...anyone who's read my posts knows how much I revere Luke and how much his playing & writing has influenced me over the last 12 years or so.

[G.I.Jim]

THough not sure it's fair to suggest Luke isn't a 'real singer'.

I always like Luke's voice on the first 7 (and last few) Toto albums. I also like the way he's gotten a bit more raspy and a deepened tone with age. He's a perfectly fine singer, and the songs he did on Toto records were always very well suited for him. But he's also a bit one-dimensional as a vocalist (as is Paich, which is why the rotating singers concept worked so well for the band). Kingdom Of Desire, especially...he has some good vocal moments but other tunes he just sort of shouts his way through, where a full-time singer might've taken a bit more nuanced approach. There's singers (say, Peter Gabriel or Steve Perry) who I could listen to for hours straight, and guys like Luke, who have their sweet spot musically, but I tire a bit on a full album. The music & guitar playing is more important to me, but I do miss the multiple singers.

Well....Walrus....with ALL respect....Luke IS a REAL singer....he is FAR from a one dimensional singer....and "full time singer"????? huh???....what????....the guy does over 100 live shows a year....sings a TON....and is a Pro's Pro....the guy has sung hits as ballads, and rockers....so there goes the one dimensional theory....If you want to talk technique, lets....I am well versed....but as far as being one dimensional, or not a "full time" singer....well...enough of that....

I will say this....I am friends with all involved, so I will be a bit vague.....BUT....I see a lot of shit slung on here....with obvious bias....I work/write with TD, just did a full album with him that was received very well, I have worked and sung alongside Luke, Bobby and the gang.....and the misrepresentation of things on here is amazing....it sounds alot like guys who have taken sides, have an axe to grind...the LAST thing BK or LUKE wants is a shit storm on here about 4 year old shit, or people's agenda getting mixed up with facts....with that being said anybody can post whatever they want.....BUT....how about rational debate about things.....since we are discussing a band which has pedigree like none other on heret....these guys are the "players players"...simple....name your band on here that has had a better pedigree of musicianship and I will pay the next bill...I guess I ask this selfishly because I would love to be active in this forum, but a shit storm always ensues....maybe I am asking for too much...who knows....

Have a great day.....JV

None of my business Joe, but I will give my humble opinion. Many times when you post you sound condescending. "Enough of that" to me says " I'm in charge here and I've heard enough". When you say stuff like "I'm friends with all involved", it sounds like name dropping. I've personally seen you blast Bobby on here, so to say anything to people on here commenting seems kind of one sided to me. "anybody can post whatever they want". Sounds like you're moderating the forum now and they need YOUR permission to post. "I would love to be active in this forum, but a shit storm always ensues". I've read more times than I can count where you've elude to "knowing stuff", then keep the info to yourself. Either post the info, or don't, but don't tease people with it. You come across like you can post YOUR opinions, but everyone else has to mind their own business. You have to make a choice... you can't have it both ways. You either post what you know, or keep it to yourself out of respect for the artists.

You are very talented, and I don't think anyone here would disagree with that. Part of posting in forums though is that you have to accept criticism . Whether it's about your music, or friends of yours. People are entitled to their opinions, and this IS a forum. You have to respect their opinions if you want them to respect yours. Again... just my humble opinion. And again... I do hope you're feeling better.