Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams
Toto have released a live album, With a Little Help From My Friends, of a performance that captures a special night that took place in Los Angeles on November 21, 2020 when Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams and David Paich appeared with the band’s new line-up. The title arrived June 25, 2021, via The Players Club / Mascot Label Group. Watch and listen to several performances below.
Joining the trio as new band members were the music veterans: bassist John Pierce (Huey Lewis and the News), drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Ghost-Note / Snarky Puppy), and keyboardist / background vocalist Steve Maggiora (Robert Jon & The Wreck). Keyboardist Dominique “Xavier” Taplin (Prince, Ghost-Note) and multi-instrumentalist / vocalist Warren Ham (Ringo Starr and the All-Star Band) also continue their tenure in the ensemble. On April 12, the band announced that they had moved their tour to 2022.
This marks the fifteenth incarnation of the Toto line-up in consideration of band members or sidemen who joined or exited.
The new title is being released on CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray and on 2-LPs. The track listing also features the classic rock favorites “Hold the Line,” “Pamela,” “Rosanna” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” The DVD and Blu-ray releases include a documentary featuring interviews from all members of the band that appeared that evening.
Watch the live performance of the title track
In the April 14 album announcement, Lukather said, “When it came to plan this specific set list, we picked an eclectic group of songs for this one night only show. Looking forward, we’ll be selecting a broader mix from the Toto catalog that includes deep cuts, the hits, and [more]. This first look at the new line-up sets the stage for a chapter in our history we can’t wait to write.”
Watch the live performance video for “Till the End”
Williams added, “This one was special. The show was borne out of the need to play after being on Covid lockdown, but also served as the reason to build this new band. The Toto model holds strong and true. A band of the very best musicians and singers writing and performing all manner of cool songs. That’s how it began, and that’s how it continues.”
Listen to “Rosanna” from the new album
Toto formed in 1977 in Los Angeles by the friends and session musician veterans Paich and Jeff Porcaro, and were quickly joined by Steve Porcaro, their Van Nuys, Calif., high school friend, Lukather, and Bobby Kimball and David Hungate.
Listen to “Hold the Line”
Related: Our feature on Toto’s late co-founder / drummer Jeff Porcaro
With a Little Help From My Friends was produced by Williams, who also edited the accompanying long-form video. The band’s long-time front-of-house engineer Ken Freeman captured and mixed the sound.
Tickets to see Toto are available here and here.
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