Official Announcment from Toto99.com

[rockphantom]

From Toto99.com


TOTO reforming in July 2010 —
TOTO Band statement - Feb 27th 2010

Former members of Toto are reforming for a brief tour this summer in Europe to honor their brother Mike Porcaro who is living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The line-up will include David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and special guest, Nathan East.

The exact tour schedule will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

>>>

Joseph Williams performing with Toto. Awesome news!

I'll keep Mike and all with ALS in my prayers.

Milan

[The_Noble_Cause]

Cool.
Thanks for posting.
Apparently Hungate is not returning, contrary to rumors.
I'll have to check out Nathan East.

[Starrider]

Cool.
Thanks for posting.
Apparently Hungate is not returning, contrary to rumors.
I'll have to check out Nathan East.

Nathan East played bass with Eric Clapton. Good place to start.

[TotoFan77]

This post has been deleted.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I knew about Mike's illness for awhile but I was forbidden to say anything on this forum.

It was beginning to become something of an open secret.
Posters on other forums were talking about it.
Strange accounts, like this one, also raised eyebrows–

“Saw TOTO last night at the House of Blues Chicago. During the band introductions, Steve Lukather brought out Mike Porcaro and mentioned that Mike was playing with a bit of a handicap...that his hands and arms were all screwed up. He was playing with thumb splints on each hand that looked like they were supposed to keep them straight. Must have been damn near impossible to play like that for 2+ hours. It looks like this is a pretty serious situation - carpal tunnel, tendonitis or nerve damage of some kind.”

Y'know, Mike was always wincing when strumming the bass.
Most of us thought he was just really lost in his instrument and the music.
Hate to think he was ever in pain.

I believe it was the Porcaros' mom who told the band to keep touring after Jeff passed.
Not sure what Mike’s condition is, but maybe he is telling the guys to go out this summer and keep the flame alive.

[Tomulator]

Wow.



ALS...very sad news.

[parfait]

Cool.
Thanks for posting.
Apparently Hungate is not returning, contrary to rumors.
I'll have to check out Nathan East.

Holy mother of God! Nathan East is one of the best bass players in the world. Great news!

[LtVanish]

This is very sad news about Mike, I feel really bad for him. This will be a really cool tour, I hope it ends up on DVD.

[JohnH]

Im glad that they are finally making public Mike's condition and are getting together to support him. I figured it would happen eventually. Those of us with connections to people in the know in LA have known about it for a long time. I feel so sad for Mike and the family and Toto and I am so glad I got to see the Labor Day weekend show with Mike in Vegas in 06. It was worth every penny to fly there for the show from LA. ( I never could make any FIB 2006-2007 LA shows because of gigs.) Mike was already having his issues and I do remember the wincing and how hard he was concentrating, trying to get through the show. This is the worst possible thing that could happen to a musician. As for Greg- I'm a keyboardist myself and he was the best choice for the band. Fantastic singer, songwriter and one of the best keyboardists in the world. Don't really understand the anti Greg sentiment but that's the way it goes.

JH

[Ehwmatt]

Damn, ALS is a son of a bitch. Wish I could see one of these shows.

[WalrusOct9]

Glad it's finally public....we all knew there was something up with Mike, but I never knew what it was exactly until now. Very glad I got to see him play in '05 and '06...also glad Paich is coming out of hibernation to play live again.

Now the question is...can Joe's voice handle this?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Now the question is...can Joe's voice handle this?

Good question.
From his guest spots with the band, I say no.
Just watch YouTube footage of his most recent appearances (both TOTO and solo) - sometimes he's on, and sometimes he's off.
If they meant to trade up after Bobby, I'm not sure this is it.
Tho I imagine Luke and Paich would know better than anyone.

Still cool that both singers got a chance to front the band after a long hiatus.

[Sundet]

Joe can do it.

[TotoFan77]

This post has been deleted.

[Ehwmatt]

Now the question is...can Joe's voice handle this?

Good question.
From his guest spots with the band, I say no.
Just watch YouTube footage of his most recent appearances (both TOTO and solo) - sometimes he's on, and sometimes he's off.
If they meant to trade up after Bobby, I'm not sure this is it.
Tho I imagine Luke and Paich would know better than anyone.

Still cool that both singers got a chance to front the band after a long hiatus.

Wouldn't be surprised to see them doing a LOT of Luke Toto songs ...

[BlackWall]

I'm sorry to hear about Mike as well.
I'm thrilled that Paich and Joe are going to be a part of it, but I really think they should include Bobby as well. They wasted enough time without him.. Won't they ever learn? They had some strong moments with Joe, but Bobby is classic Toto. I would like to hear them both.

[TotoFan77]

This post has been deleted.

[WalrusOct9]

I wonder if they'll finally tune down 1/2 step or something to give Joe a little help. I've heard some of his recent solo stuff...his voice still has that great tone, but he doesn't push anywhere near the range of the Toto stuff, so I'm really not sure what it's gonna sound like. Still would kill to see them with Joe singing....will probably have lots of Seventh One tunes in the set.

[TotoFan77]

This post has been deleted.

[Andrew]

I knew about Mike's illness for awhile but I was forbidden to say anything on this forum.

As did quite a few people, but rather than being forbidden to say anything, I kept it quiet out of respect.

[Andrew]

Now the question is...can Joe's voice handle this?

Good question.
From his guest spots with the band, I say no.
Just watch YouTube footage of his most recent appearances (both TOTO and solo) - sometimes he's on, and sometimes he's off.
If they meant to trade up after Bobby, I'm not sure this is it.
Tho I imagine Luke and Paich would know better than anyone.

Still cool that both singers got a chance to front the band after a long hiatus.

Joe can and will do it with ease. At least he still sings live.

[Andrew]

They should have gotten Bobby, he is the original lead singer after all and most of the other original members are reuniting too. This band seems to have so many issues with each other over the years and at there age now, it's gotten pathetic. They are all in their 50's now and Bobby is almost 63. Time to grow up.

They did grow up dude...they have been together and on the road for nearly a decade. Bobby is 63 - that's the point. The voice ain't what it used to be.

As for Joseph, he's actually a high-school buddy of the rest of the band and more importantly of Mike himself, so this lineup is the most genuine tribute to Mike there could be. They are doing this for him and him only.

[Andrew]

I imagine a bunch of great 7th One and Fahrenheit tracks plus a few Luke's and a couple of the must do hits. I've heard JW doing Hold The Line...works for me.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Joe can and will do it with ease.

I'm just going off the various boots out there.
Joe def. sounds improved from the Toto XX Tour.
I'm hoping for the best.
Unlike Neal Schon, I trust Luke to do what's in the best interest of the group.

At least he still sings live.

Low blow.
Put him on the road, and see how long before he needs a little assistance on "Africa".
Bobby sounds better at 63 than alot of singers out there.

Not even sure why this has to become a Bobby vs. Joe pissing match.
Both singers are at AARP age, and both are still doing their thing.

[Ehwmatt]

At least he still sings live.

Low blow.
Put him on the road, and see how long before he needs a little assistance on "Africa".
Bobby sounds better at 63 than alot of singers out there.

Not even sure why this has to become a Bobby vs. Joe pissing match.
Both singers are at AARP age, and both are still doing their thing.

Gotta agree with TNC here, that was uncalled for. I know you're tight with Luke and what not, but there are fan of all the parties on this site and making remarks like this is nothing if not divisive.

[Andrew]

Bobby sounds better at 63 than alot of singers out there.

You bet! And no, this should not be a pissing match at all. JW is the man and I'm excited about that and I'm looking forward to Yoso to see what BK delivers next.

I've hung out with Bobby a few times now and he knows I love him.

[Tomulator]

Im glad that they are finally making public Mike's condition and are getting together to support him. I figured it would happen eventually. Those of us with connections to people in the know in LA have known about it for a long time. I feel so sad for Mike and the family and Toto and I am so glad I got to see the Labor Day weekend show with Mike in Vegas in 06. It was worth every penny to fly there for the show from LA. ( I never could make any FIB 2006-2007 LA shows because of gigs.) Mike was already having his issues and I do remember the wincing and how hard he was concentrating, trying to get through the show. This is the worst possible thing that could happen to a musician. As for Greg- I'm a keyboardist myself and he was the best choice for the band. Fantastic singer, songwriter and one of the best keyboardists in the world. Don't really understand the anti Greg sentiment but that's the way it goes. JH

Amen brother.

Well said.

[Irwin M Fletcher]

i sure hope theres at least 1 show in the UK! ive been a Toto fan for years and never managed to see the band live....being a HUGE fan of Joseph Williams makes this an awesum tour IMO, not to mention the return of Steve Porcaro! Seeing Dave Hungate on bass would have been ever since he was the original bassist (no offence to the awesum Nathan East)! Anybody think there will be a UK show? mines a Jack

[Starrider]

Toto has been playing with one keyboardist and two guitar players for quite some time. Now they will be back to two on keys and one on guitar with this lineup. Wonder how this will affect the sound. Tony Spinner had been handling the second guitar parts as well as the high harmonies for the last few tours. Does anyone know anything about Nathan East's singing voice?

[Ehwmatt]

Toto has been playing with one keyboardist and two guitar players for quite some time. Now they will be back to two on keys and one on guitar with this lineup. Wonder how this will affect the sound. Tony Spinner had been handling the second guitar parts as well as the high harmonies for the last few tours. Does anyone know anything about Nathan East's singing voice?

I'm sure the taped backing vocals will pick up the slack. I think the second guitar will be missed, though.