FERGIE FREDERIKSEN - STOCKHOLM '99
Ultra Rare. Ex-Toto, Trillion, Le Roux, Angel, Mecca, MSFunk, Frederiksen-Phillips Awesome Electric Live Concert, Feat Snakes In Paradise as Backup Band. Inc Led Zeppelin Cover !!!
TRACKLIST
1.Blaze of love
2.Mata Hari
3.Equilibrium
4.Oh Diane
5.Angel don't cry
6.Turning point
7.Rock And Roll*
*Led Zeppelin cover
SONGWRITERS
Phil Gladstone, John Van Tongeren, Chris Thompson (1)
David Buskin, Al Gorgoni, Susan Hamilton (2)
Fergie Frederiksen, Jim Peterik, Ricky Phillips (3)
Ricky Phillips (4)
David Paich, Fergie Frederiksen (5)
Rob Roddy, Tony Haselden, Fergie Frederiksen, Jim Odom (6)
John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant (7)
BACK-UP BAND
Stefan Berggren, Tomas Jakobsson, Stefan Jonsson, Thomas Thorberg, Tomas Jansson, Peter Pettersen
-------------------------------------------
FERGIE FREDERIKSEN
Dennis Frederiksen
Birth name Dennis Hardy Frederiksen
Also known as Fergie Frederiksen, David London
Born May 15, 1951
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Died January 18, 2014 (aged 62)
Mound, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres
Hard rock pop rock progressive rock pop
Occupation(s)
Musician singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active
1975–87 1995–2014
Labels Frontiers
Associated acts
MSFunk Trillion Angel LeRoux Toto Frederiksen/Phillips
Dennis Hardy Frederiksen (May 15, 1951 – January 18, 2014) was an American rock singer best known as the former lead singer of Trillion, Angel, LeRoux and Toto, as well as providing backing vocals for Survivor. He was occasionally credited as Fergie Frederiksen or just Fergie. He contributed to hit singles in three consecutive years, all with different bands: Survivor's "American Heartbeat" in 1982, LeRoux's "Carrie's Gone" in 1983 and Toto's "Stranger in Town" in 1984.
Early life and career
Frederiksen started his musical career at the age of 13, and he played clubs and pubs at the age of 15 with a group called the Common People in Grand Rapids, MI.[1] In 1975, while he was still attending college at Central Michigan, Frederiksen was asked by his friend Tommy Shaw to replace him as the lead vocalist for the band MSFunk, as Shaw was leaving to join Styx.[2] Frederiksen was with MSFunk for a year before disbanding in 1976. While living in Chicago, he helped form a local progressive rock band called Trillion with keyboardist Patrick Leonard.[2] Trillion's debut album was released in 1978 and was produced by Gary Lyons (producer of Foreigner's debut album); all but one of its nine tracks were co-written by Frederiksen. The band went on to tour with Styx and Heart, where Frederiksen began performing his trademark back-flips during live shows to fire up crowds, a gimmick he would continue with later bands. Frederiksen would leave the group after one album, and was replaced by Thom Griffin.
After leaving Trillion, Frederiksen started focusing mainly on session work; primarily movie soundtracks. In 1979, he signed with Casablanca Records, where he performed under the alias of David London. (Frederiksen wanted to separate his rock image from the disco image Casablanca was known for.) He sang two tracks ("Samantha" and "Sound Of The City") on the soundtrack to Can't Stop The Music (which reached number 47 on the Billboard 200),[3] as well as a more AOR-style solo album in 1981, with his friend Mark Christian as the lead guitarist. This would turn out to be one of the last albums released by Casablanca Records, as the fall of disco in the early 1980s forced the label to fold, eventually becoming part of Polygram Records. He would drop the stage name soon after, officially going by his childhood nickname "Fergie", which stemmed from his grade school classmates once incorrectly thinking his last name was "Ferguson".[4]
While at Casablanca, he met Gregg Giuffria, of the recently defunct glam-rock band Angel (one of the few rock acts signed by the record label). The two started working in his studio in late 1981 in hopes of a possible new Angel LP under a new line-up. It was in these Angel recordings where Frederiksen met bassist Ricky Phillips. The two became long-time friends and have collaborated on many projects. This line-up never completed an official album, as Giuffria started focusing heavily on the formation of his group Giuffria in 1982, but did record three songs during band sessions: "Whips", "Troubleshooter", and "Should Have Known Better". These tracks were later released on the Angel Rarities collection, and were eventually covered by White Sister.
After Kansas singer Steve Walsh originally left the band, auditions were held in early 1982. Frederiksen was one of several candidates who tried out, but John Elefante eventually took over the lead vocal spot.[5] However, Kansas manager Budd Carr spotted Fergie during auditions and began working with him soon after, which ultimately would prove instrumental for Frederiksen's career. It was around this time that long-time friends Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan from Survivor invited Frederiksen to their studio during the recording of their third album, while lead singer Dave Bickler was experiencing vocal cord strain. Ultimately, Bickler was able to finish the album, and Frederiksen assisted with background vocals. The band's third album Eye of the Tiger was released in May 1982, with Frederiksen credited simply as "Fergie".[6] It jumped to number 2 on the Billboard charts, and eventually went 2x Platinum on the strength of its #1 title track. Frederiksen provided harmonies on five tracks, including the album's second single, "American Heartbeat", which charted in the top 20.[7]
In late summer of 1982, Frederiksen and Asia (not the hit-making British supergroup) guitarist Jim Odom were both recruited by manager Budd Carr,[6] to replace lead singer/guitarist Jeff Pollard of LeRoux, who had recently left the band to start his own Christian ministry. Fergie became LeRoux's new front-man soon after. So Fired Up, the band's fifth album,[8] was released in February 1983. It included the hit song "Carrie's Gone", which Frederiksen wrote shortly after breaking up with then girlfriend Carrie Hamilton (Carol Burnett's daughter). The band was dropped from RCA Records, broke up, but reformed in 1985 with a new singer and are still together and touring. They were recently inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Frederiksen reunited with Ricky Phillips to start a brand new band called Abandon Shame, featuring Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, and his wife Tane. The quartet worked on 5 songs in 1984, with Fergie only singing on one of the tracks. The Kevin Elson-produced "You Can't Do That", "Burnin' in the Third Degree", and "Photoplay" appeared in the soundtrack to The Terminator,[9] and were credited to Tahnee Cain and Trianglz. While "Kicks" and "Over Night Sensation" would eventually appear in the 1985 film Armed Response,[10] with Tane and Fergie singing the leads respectively.
Phillips, who was friends with Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, gave him a Frederiksen demo.[11] Toto, who had fired lead singer Bobby Kimball in the midst of recording their fifth album Isolation, invited Frederiksen to come audition for his spot. After edging out Eric Martin,[12] he got the job, and the band finished recording Isolation, which was released in October 1984. It included the hit song "Stranger in Town" and went Gold. The music video for "Stranger in Town", which featured Fergie as the murder victim,[13] was nominated at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Direction. After touring with Toto through 1985, Frederiksen was fired from the band during the initial recording sessions for Fahrenheit, mainly due to his difficulties with performing in the studio.[12] He has repeatedly cited his brief tenure with Toto as the highlight of his career.[11][14]
Later life and career
Following his expulsion from Toto, Frederiksen took to touring as "Toto", using a setlist which included many Toto songs that predated his time with the band. This angered the real Toto, who had already taken out a restraining order against Frederiksen's predecessor, Bobby Kimball, to stop him from doing the same thing.[12] (Toto and Frederiksen were reconciled in 2007, at which point he joined them on stage for a few guest spots on their tour.)[11] After 12 years in the music industry, Frederiksen unofficially retired and started focusing on the restaurant business with his father.
He returned to music in the mid-1990s to reunite and collaborate with Ricky Phillips. Their Frederiksen/Phillips album was released in 1995, and featured Giuffria's David Glen Eisley on background vocals. Phillips also assisted Frederiksen with his solo album Equilibrium in 1999, which also featured artists like Neal Schon, Steve Porcaro, Jason Scheff, Ron Wikso, Rocket Ritchotte, Dave Amato, Bruce Gowdy and many others.[15] He later explained, "I tried to do without [music] but I was miserable."[16] The album was critically acclaimed in Europe and Japan.[17] In 2002, he joined the band Mecca, where he reunited with Jim Peterik. Fergie has also done several collaborations with Tommy Denander since his return to music, and has also toured with the World Classic Rockers and the Voices of Classic Rock.[16]
In June 2010, Frederiksen announced he had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.[18] Medical treatments for the disease made it difficult for him to do recording sessions, and initially he planned on retiring again.[17] However, his friend Alex Ligertwood pushed him to continue. After starting treatment, he released two more solo albums: Happiness is the Road and Any Given Moment.[17]
He died from liver cancer on January 18, 2014 at his home in Mound, Minnesota. He was survived by his three sons.[4]
Discography
Main albums
1978: Trillion: Trillion (as Dennis Frederiksen)
1981: David London: David London (as David London)
1983: LeRoux: So Fired Up
1984: Toto: Isolation
1995: Frederiksen/Phillips: Frederiksen/Phillips
1999: Fergie Frederiksen: Equilibrium
2000: World Classic Rockers: World Classic Rockers Vol. 1
2002: Mecca: Mecca
2003: World Classic Rockers: World Classic Rockers Vol. 2
2007: Frederiksen/Denander: Baptism By Fire
2011: Fergie Frederiksen: Happiness is the Road
2013: Fergie Frederiksen: Any Given Moment
Featured artist
1980: Village People: Can't Stop the Music (as David London)
1982: Survivor: Eye of the Tiger (as "Fergie")
1984: Toto: Dune
1986: Toto: Fahrenheit
1988: Karo: Heavy Birthday
1997: Joseph Williams: 3
2000: LeRoux: AOR Live
2001: Radioactive: Ceremony of Innocence
2003: Radioactive: Yeah
2004: AOR: Nothing But the Best
2005: Radioactive: Taken
2005: Northern Light: Northern Light
2009: Myland: No Man's Land
2009: AOR: Journey to L.A
2010: AOR: L.A. Ambition
2013: AOR: The Secrets Of L.A
2013: UT New Trolls: Duo Ut Des
Project Timeline
Flyin Home: (1972-1974)
Common People: (1974-1975)
MS Funk: (1975-1976)
Trillion: (1977-1979)
David London: (1979-1981)
Angel: (1981-1982)
LeRoux: (1982-1983)
Abandon Shame: (1984)
Toto: (1984-1985)
RTZ: (1987)
The Fergie Frederiksen Group: (1995-1997)
Voices of Classic Rock: (2002)
Mecca: (1999-2005)
Joe Vana lead vocals
Fergie Frederiksen lead vocals
Mike Aquino guitars
David Hungate bass
Shannon Forrest drums, percussion
Jimmy Nichols keyboards
Joe Vana vocals, guitars
Brian Moritz keyboards
Paul Pisciotto synthesizers
Wally Hustin bass
Rick Vitek drums
Mark Alano guitars
Joe Vana lead vocals
Shannon Forrest drums and percussion
David Hungate bass
Tim Akers B3 and piano, background vocals, Duet on "Believe"
David Browning synths
Joey Vana guitars
Mark Baldwin guitar
Sol Philcox-Littlefield additional guitars
Ethan Forrest additional guitars
Rudy Chmelik additional percussion on "Believe"
Bill Syniar vibe
Joe Vana lead vocals
Fergie Frederiksen lead vocals
Christian Wolff guitars
Pat Mastelotto drums
Thom Griffin backing vocals
Bill Syniar bass
David Hungate bass
Tommy Denander guitars
Gordon Mote keyboards
Shannon Forrest drums
Richie Hofherr guitars
Brian Moritz keyboards
World Classic Rockers: (1997-2014)
Former members of Wings, Spencer Davis Group, and The Eagles (among others)
If a music fan was desiring to create a game similar to the one based upon actor Kevin Bacon and his seemingly endless ties to other actors, singer Fergie Fredericksen might find himself to be a suitable candidate. During his career, he has been in bands (or has replaced members) that have extensive connections and association with other artists. Born Dennis Hardy Frederiksen in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 15, 1951, Frederiksen was singing in clubs by the time he was a teen. In 1975, he moved to Chicago and soon was chosen to replace friend Tommy Shaw in the band MS Funk when Shaw moved on to join Styx. His next move was forming the band Trillion with Patrick Leonard, and appearing on their self-titled release through Epic in 1978. Frederiksen would head to Los Angeles to do session work and Leonard would go on to play in the band Toy Matinee and become an in-demand producer, working with everyone from Madonna to Roger Waters. In 1983, Frederiksen became the lead singer for Le Roux, who had scored their biggest hit, yet, the year before with the Top 20 single "Nobody Said It Was Easy." The subsequent album, So Fired Up, produced the minor hit "Carrie's Gone" written about Fredericksen's relationship with comedienne Carol Burnett's daughter, actress/singer Carrie Hamilton. Fredericksen spent a period working with a group called Abandoned Shame, which included long-time friend, bass player Ricky Phillips, who had been with The Babys and would be in Bad English, and drummer Pat Torpey, who would end up with Mr. Big. Before the band could secure a record deal, a videotape of them ended up in the hands of Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro. Toto, which was coming off of the phenomenal commercial success of their album Toto IV, was in need of a lead singer to replace long-time member Bobby Kimball and enlisted Fredericksen. Instead of rehashing the successful formula of Toto IV, the band, with Fredericksen on lead vocals, pursued an edgier direction. Despite being one of the year's more eagerly awaited records, Isolation proved to be a relative failure upon its release in late 1984. It did manage to eke out Gold-selling status and spawn a Top 30 hit, "Stranger In Town." Following Isolation, Frederiksen chose to leave the music business for an extended period of time. In 1999, he returned to release a solo album, Equilibrium, which featured Ricky Phillips, and he also became a member of World Class Rockers, which consisted of former members of Wings, Spencer Davis Group, and The Eagles (among others). In 2002, Fredericksen appeared on the self-titled release by the band Mecca, which included former Toto bassist David Hungate.
2020 One of Those Days Leroux Composer
Donald Anderson Composer
Tab Benoit Featured Artist, Soloist
Nelson Blanchard Group Member, Organ (Hammond), Vocals (Background)
Randy Carpenter Composer
Randy Carpenter Drums, Group Member
Bill Champlin Vocals (Background)
Chapel Hart Vocals (Background)
Tim Courville Drums
Joey Decker Group Member, Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background)
David Farrell Engineer
Richard Ferreira Composer
Fergie Frederiksen Composer
Hoyt Garrick Composer
Jeff Glixman Engineer, Mixing
Tony Haselden Composer, Group Member, Guitar (Rhythm), Lead, Slide Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Steve Johannsen Artwork
Joe Kalb Engineer
Bobby Kimball Vocals (Background)
Keith Landry Vocals (Background)
Le Roux Composer
Leroux Primary Artist
Louisiana's Leroux Primary Artist
Mark Duthu Group Member, Percussion
Solomon Paul Marshall Composer
Alexey Marti Percussion
Jeff McCarty Composer, Group Member, Vocals
Leon Medica Composer, Guitar (Bass)
Vlado Meller Mastering
Rick Naqvi Engineer
Jim Odom Composer, Group Member, Guitar (Rhythm), Lead, Vocals (Background)
Dustin Ransom Composer
Rod Roddy Fender Rhodes, Group Member, Piano, Vocals (Background)
Randy Sharp Composer
Jesse Snider Engineer
Travis Thibodeaux Vocals (Background)
Eric Welch Engineer
2018 All In Toto Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Mike Aarvold Engineer
Keith Albright Technician
Anas Allaf Engineer
Jon Anderson Vocals (Background)
Patti Austin Vocals (Background)
Brent Averill Technician
Dale Becker Mastering
Shawn Berman Engineer
Kyle Bess Engineer
Clint Black Harmonica, Vocals (Background)
Michael Boddicker Synthesizer Programming
Niko Bolas Engineer
Richard Bosworth Assistant Engineer
Bob Bradshaw Technician
Barry Bregman Composer
Alex Brown Vocals (Background)
Paulette Brown Vocals (Background)
Ann Calnan Assistant Engineer
Lenny Castro Congas, Percussion
Terry Christian Assistant Engineer, Engineer
Bob Clearmountain Mixing
Vinnie Colaiuta Drums
Mike Cotten Synthesizer
Eric Cowden Engineer
Paulinho Da Costa Percussion
Lisa Dal Bello Harmony
Brian Davis Engineer
Miles Davis Musician
Chad Decinces Engineer
Ken Deranteriasian Engineer
Nokukhanya Dlamini Vocals (Background)
Kevin Dorsey Vocals (Background)
Jenny Douglas Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Jenny Douglas-McRae Primary Artist, Vocals (Background)
Murray Dvorkin Engineer
Ralph Dyck Synthesizer
Bob Edwards Engineer
John Elefante Vocals (Background)
Chuck Findley Horn, Trumpet
Colin Finnie Technician
Michael Fisher Percussion
Tom Fletcher Assistant Engineer
Martyn Ford Orchestra Strings
Shannon Forrest Drums
Fergie Frederiksen Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Stuart Furusho Assistant Engineer
Dick Gall Engineer
Dan Garcia Engineer
Siedah Garrett Primary Artist
Steve Genewick Assistant Engineer, Engineer
Steve George Vocals (Background)
Jim Giddens Assistant Engineer, Chant
Randy Goodrum Composer, Primary Artist
Jeff Graham Engineer
Dean Grakal Primary Artist
Gary Grant Horn, Trumpet
Bruce Heigh Engineer
Don Henley Musician
Gary Herbig Horn, Saxophone
Jerry Hey Horn, Horn Arrangements, Trumpet
Jim Horn Flute, Horn, Recorder, Saxophone
James Newton Howard Conductor, Orchestral Arrangements, String Arrangements, String Conductor
M. Hudson Primary Artist
Mark Hudson Vocals (Background)
David Hungate Bass, Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar Overdubs
Philip Ingram Vocals (Background)
Phillip Ingram Vocals (Background)
Bill Jackson Assistant Engineer
Rob Jaczko Engineer
John James Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Paul Jamieson Technician
John Jessel Engineer, Synthesizer Programming, Technician
Steve Jordan Percussion
Dick Kaneshiro Engineer
Rory Kaplan Primary Artist
Fred Kelly Jr. Engineer
Tom Kelly Vocals (Background)
Art Kelm Technician
Jim Keltner Percussion
Bobby Kimball Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Pat Knox Chant
Tom Knox Engineer, Mixing, Producer, Track Engineer, Vocals (Background)
Ed Korengo Engineer
Danny Kortchmar Primary Artist, Producer
Keith Kresge Engineer
John Kurlander String Engineer
Greg Ladanyi Engineer, Mixing, Track Engineer
Tim Larber Engineer
Julie Last Engineer
Dana Latham Engineer, Mixing
James Ledner Engineer
Jed Leiber Primary Artist
Lon LeMaster Engineer
David Leonard Engineer
David Lindley Lap Steel Guitar
Roger Linn Synthesizer Programming, Technician
Doug Linnell Engineer
Randy Long Engineer
Shep Lonsdale Engineer
Charlie Loper Horn
Jeff Lorenzen Engineer
Steve Lukather Chant, Composer, Executive Producer, Fills, Group Member, Guitar, Guitar (Bass), Guitars, Mandolin, Piano, Primary Artist, Sitar, Synthesizer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Trevor Lukather Instrumentation
Stan Lynch Vocals (Background)
Steve MacMillan Engineer, Pro-Tools
Sibongile Makgathe Vocals (Background)
Brian Malouf Assistant Engineer
George Maple Contribution
George Massenberg Engineer
Peggy McCreary Assistant Engineer, Engineer
Arnold McCuller Vocals (Background)
Mike McDonald Musician
Jackie McGhee Vocals (Background)
Stephen McManus Assistant Engineer
Don Menza Saxophone
Richard Mitchell Engineer
Lindelani Mkhize Arranger
Gene Morford Bass (Vocal)
Margaret Motsage Vocals (Background)
Kentsa Mpahlwa Assistant Engineer
Teruo Murakami Engineer
Gary Myerberg Engineer
Mthumzi Namba Arranger
Andy Narell Drums (Steel)
Ricky Nelson Vocals (Background)
Roger Nichols Technician
Charlie Paakkari Engineer
Richard Page Vocals (Background)
David Paich Chant, Composer, Conductor, Engineer, Executive Producer, Fender Rhodes, Group Member, Hammond B3, Horn Arrangements, Keyboards, Moog Bass, Orchestral Arrangements, Organ, Piano, Primary Artist, Soloist, String Arrangements, Synthesizer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Lorraine Paich Chant
Marty Paich Conductor, Orchestral Arrangements, String Arrangements
James Pankow Horn
Jimmy Pankow Trombone
Bill Payne Keyboards
Phil Perry Vocals (Background)
Simon Phillips Drum Loop, Drums, Keyboards, Loop, Percussion, Primary Artist, Roland TR-808, Tabla, Vocals (Background)
Rick Plant Engineer
Steve Pocaro Bass, Composer, Drum Loop, Electronics, Engineer, Group Member, Hammond B3, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Primary Artist, Programming, Sequencers, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Programming, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Jeff Porcaro Composer, Drums, Marimba, Percussion, Primary Artist, Timbales, Tympanon, Xylophone
Joe Porcaro Electronic Vibes, Percussion
Mike Porcaro Bass, Cello, Chant, Composer, Keyboards, Primary Artist
Steve Porcaro Composer, Keyboards, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Jack Joseph Puig Drum Engineering, Engineer
Franz Pusch Assistant Engineer
Nonhlanhla Radebe Vocals (Background)
Bill Reichenbach Horn
Chris Rich Engineer
Angel Rogers Vocals (Background)
Rail Rogut Engineer
Linda Ronstadt Vocals (Background)
Mike Ross Engineer
James Rushent Engineer, Instrumentation
Thom Russo Engineer
S. Lynch Chant, Primary Artist
Darian Sahanaja Engineer
David Sanborn Musician, Saxophone
Bob Schaper Mixing
Elliot Scheiner Chant, Engineer, Mixing, Producer
Sean Schimmel Assistant Engineer
Timothy B. Schmit Vocals (Background)
Al Schmitt Engineer, Track Engineer
David Schober Assistant Engineer
Tom Scott Horn, Horn Arrangements, Saxophone
David Segal Assistant Engineer
Duane Seykora Assistant Engineer, Engineer
Billy Sherwood Primary Artist, Vocals (Background)
Mike Sherwood Vocals (Background)
Surahn "Sid" Sidhu Instrumentation
M.T. Silvia Engineer
Skrillex Featured Artist
Eli Slawson Technician
Bill Smith Engineer
Jon Smith Saxophone
Phil Soussan Primary Artist, Vocals (Background)
Mick Stern Engineer
Bart Stevens Engineer
Jess Sutcliffe Engineer
Jeff Thomas Engineer
Chris Thompson Vocals (Background)
Martin Tillman Cello
Toto Arranger, Horn Arrangements, Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer
Traditional Composer
Chris Trujillo Percussion
Jeffrey "C.J." Vanston Pedal Steel
Gabe Veltri Engineer
Maria Vidal Vocals (Background)
Gift Villakazi Vocals (Background)
Victory Villakazi Vocals (Background)
Tony Walthes Vocals (Background)
Fee Waybill Primary Artist
Damien Weatherley Engineer
John Weaver Engineer
Jimmy Webb Composer
What So Not Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer
Fred White Vocals (Background)
J. Williams Composer, Primary Artist
Joseph Williams Arranger, Bass, Composer, Group Member, Keyboards, Primary Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Larry Williams Horn
Mark Towner Williams Arranger, Composer, Vocals (Background)
Weston Wilson Chant
Randy Wine Engineer
Bobby Womack Vocals (Background)
Geoff Workman Engineer, Mixing, Producer
2018 40 Trips Around the Sun Toto Vocals (Background)
Jon Anderson Vocals (Background)
Niko Bolas Engineer
Lenny Castro Percussion
Bob Clearmountain Mixing
Vinnie Colaiuta Drums
Michael Cotten Synthesizer
Paulinho Da Costa Percussion
Chuck Findley Horn
Chuck Finley Trumpet
Michael Fisher Percussion
Martyn Ford Orchestra Strings
Shannon Forrest Engineer
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals (Background)
Tommy Funderburk Vocals (Background)
Mike Ging Pro-Tools
Randy Goodrum Composer
Gary Grant Horn, Trumpet
Don Henley Vocals (Background)
Gary Herbig Horn
Jerry Hey Horn, Horn Arrangements, Trumpet
Ron Hitchcock Mastering
Jim Horn Engineer, Saxophone
James Newton Howard Orchestral Arrangements, Strings
David Hungate Bass
Steve Jordan Percussion
Tom Kelly Vocals (Background)
Jim Keltner Percussion
Bobby Kimball Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Pat Knox Assistant
Tom Knox Engineer, Mixing
John Kurlander Strings
Greg Ladanyi Engineer
David Leonard Engineer
Shep Lonsdale Engineer
Bob Ludwig Mastering
Steve Lukather Bass, Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Bass), Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Gavin Lurssen Mastering
Cheryl Lynn Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Peggy McCreary Engineer
Michael McDonald Vocals (Background)
Gene Morford Vocals
David Paich Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Strings, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Marty Paich String Arrangements, Strings
James Pankow Horn, Trombone
Bill Payne Keyboards
Jeff Porcaro Composer, Drums, Percussion
Joe Porcaro Marimba, Percussion, Vibraphone, Xylophone
Mike Porcaro Bass
Steve Porcaro Composer, Engineer, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Synthesizer, Vocals (Background)
Scott Ritchie Photography
Sergio Ruelas Digital Editing, Mixing Assistant
David Sanborn Saxophone
Elliot Scheiner Supervisor
Timothy B. Schmit Vocals (Background)
Al Schmitt Engineer
Tom Scott Horn, Horn Arrangements, Saxophone
Michael Sherwood Vocals (Background)
Martin Tilmann Cello
Toto Composer, Primary Artist, Producer, Supervisor
Chris Trujillo Percussion
Joseph Williams Composer, Editing, Engineer, Keyboards, Supervising Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Mark Towner Williams Vocals (Background)
Weston Wilson Assistant
2017 The Jeff Pocaro Tribute Concert Toto Composer
Michael Anthony Composer
Harold Arlen Composer
Walter Becker Composer
Denny Dias Featured Artist
Donald Fagen Composer, Featured Artist
Fergie Frederiksen Composer
Randy Goodrum Composer
George Harrison Featured Artist
Jimi Hendrix Composer
Don Henley Composer, Featured Artist
Danny Kortchmar Composer
Jerry Leiber Composer
John Lennon Composer
Steve Lukather Composer
Paul McCartney Composer
Michael McDonald Composer, Featured Artist
Johnny Mercer Composer
David Paich Composer
Jeff Porcaro Composer
David Lee Roth Composer
Boz Scaggs Composer, Featured Artist
Mike Stoller Composer
Toto Primary Artist
Van Halen Composer
Eddie Van Halen Featured Artist
2014 The 80s: Toto Toto Composer
2013 Any Given Moment Fergie Frederiksen Primary Artist, Composer
Camilla Andersson Composer
Nigel Bailey Composer
Alessio Berlaffa Guitar, Soloist
Riccardo Bernardi Photography
Terry Brock Composer
Walter Caliaro Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Rhythm)
Giulio Cataldo Art Direction, Concept
David Coyle Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
Alessandro Del Vecchio Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Mastering, Mixing, Organ (Hammond), Piano (Grand), Producer, Programming, String Arrangements, Vocals (Background)
Nello Dell'Omo Artwork
Fergie Frederiksen Composer, Primary Artist
Peter Friestedt Guitar, Soloist
Herman Furin Drums
Bruce Gaitsch Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Nylon String), Guitar (Rhythm), Soloist
Issa Featured Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Sören Kronqvist Composer
Sven Larsson Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
Nik Mazzucconi Bass, Fretless Bass
Per Ola Nilsson Composer
Jim Odom Composer
David Paich Composer
Serafino Perugino Executive Producer
Jim Peterik Composer
Robert Säll Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
Vivien Searcy Composer
Roberto Tiranti Vocals (Background)
Thomas Vikstrom Composer
2008 Greatest Hits [Steel Box Collection] Toto Main Personnel
Greg Adams Main Personnel
Jon Anderson Main Personnel
John Bahler Main Personnel
Niko Bolas Audio Production, Mixing
Richard Bosworth Audio Production
Susan Boyd Main Personnel
Alex Brown Main Personnel
Jean Michel Byron Main Personnel
Ann Calnan Audio Production
Emilio Castillo Main Personnel
Lenny Castro Main Personnel
Terry Christian Audio Production
Luis Conte Main Personnel
Lynn Davis Main Personnel
Greg Dennon Audio Production
Kevin Dorsey Main Personnel
Chuck Findley Main Personnel
Tom Fletcher Audio Production
Ken Fowler Audio Production
Fergie Frederiksen Main Personnel
Stuart Furusho Audio Production
Gary Grant Main Personnel
Willie Green Main Personnel
Debbie Hall Main Personnel
Jerry Hey Main Personnel
Ron Hitchcock Audio Production
Jim Horn Main Personnel
James Newton Howard Main Personnel
David Hungate Main Personnel
Phillip Ingram Main Personnel
Bill Jackson Audio Production
John Jessel Audio Production
Tom Kelly Main Personnel
Bobby Kimall Main Personnel
Bobby Kimball Composer, Main Personnel
Tom Knox Audio Production, Mixing
Stephen "Doc" Kupka Main Personnel
Greg Ladanyi Audio Production, Mixing
Dana Latham Audio Production, Mixing
Shep Lonsdale Audio Production
Steve Lukather Main Personnel
Cheryl Lynn Main Personnel
Brian Malouf Audio Production
Martin Ford Orchestra Main Personnel
George Massenburg Audio Production
Peggy McCreary Audio Production
Michael McDonald Main Personnel
Mark McKenna Audio Production
Stephen McManus Audio Production
Gene Morford Main Personnel
David Paich Composer, Main Personnel
Marty Paich Main Personnel
James Pankow Main Personnel
Bill Payne Audio Production, Main Personnel
Jimmy Payne Main Personnel
Darryl Phinnessee Main Personnel
Jeff Porcaro Main Personnel
Joe Porcaro Main Personnel
Michael Porcaro Main Personnel
Steve Porcaro Audio Production, Main Personnel
Franz Pusch Audio Production
Mike Reese Audio Production
Sharon Rice Audio Production
Phyllis Saint James Main Personnel
Doug Sax Audio Production
Timothy B. Schmit Main Personnel
Al Schmitt Audio Production
David Schober Audio Production
Tom Scott Main Personnel
Duane Seykora Audio Production
Alfie Silas Main Personnel
Jon Smith Main Personnel
Scott Symington Audio Production
Lee Thornburg Main Personnel
Tom Timko Main Personnel
Toto Audio Production, Mixing, Primary Artist
Carmen Twillie Main Personnel
Gabe Veltri Audio Production
Luther Waters Main Personnel
Oren Waters Main Personnel
Maxine Willard Waters Main Personnel
Joseph Williams Main Personnel
Larry Williams Main Personnel
2007 Baptism by Fire Frederiksen/Denander / Frederiksen-Denander Producer, Member of Attributed Artist, Vocals, Lead
Guitarist Tommy Denader (Radioactive) and vocalist Fergie Frederiksen (Toto) collaborate for BAPTISM BY FIRE, a well-conceived nod to the melodic AOR rock of the early 1980s. Fans of Journey, Styx, Night Ranger, and other such classic acts will find much to appreciate in tunes like the soaring “Let Him Go” and the surging “Right Heart, Wrong Time.” It’s crisp and smooth, and it all rings rather familiar, but Denader and Frederiksen trade more on nostalgia value than innovation, and, as such, BAPTISM BY FIRE is a rousing success.
Carl André Beckston Booklet Concept, Booklet Design, Concept, Cover Art
Giulio Cataldo Graphic Coordinator
Denander Primary Artist
Tommy Denander Bass, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Loop, Loops, Primary Artist, Producer
Frederiksen Primary Artist
Frederiksen/Denander Primary Artist
Fergie Frederiksen Lead, Producer, Vocals
Frederiksen-Denander Primary Artist
Jacob Johansen Guest Artist, Vocals (Background)
Dugan Mcneill Vocal Engineer
Pamela McNeill Vocal Producer
Serafino Perugino Executive Producer
Ricky Phillips Producer, Vocal Producer, Vocals
Steve Porcaro Guest Artist, Organ (Hammond)
Michael Thompson Guest Artist, Guitar, Soloist
Dennis Ward Mixing
2005 Taken Radioactive Vocals
Gary Barden Vocals
Phillip Bardowell Vocals, Vocals (Background)
R.A. Beck Composer
Robin Beck Vocals
Carl André Beckston Booklet Concept, Cover Art, Layout Design
Andreas Carlsson Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Brett Chassen Engineer
Vinnie Colaiuta Drums
Tommy Denander Bass, Composer, Engineer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Loop, Mastering, Mixing, Piano, Producer
David Diggs Engineer, Keyboards
Mikael Erlandsson Engineer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals
Peter Friestedt Guitar
Bruce Gaitsch Engineer, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic)
Christian Ingebrigtsen Vocals
Hussain Jiffry Bass
Kelly Keagy Vocals
Tom Keane Keyboards
Bobby Kimball Vocals
Bruce Kulick Guitar, Soloist
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. Bass
Michael Landau Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
Steve Lukather Guitar, Soloist
Yngwie Malmsteen Engineer, Guitar, Soloist
Dean Parks Guitar
Greg Phillinganes Keyboards
Jeff Porcaro Drums
Steve Porcaro Effects, Engineer, Keyboards, Strings
Radioactive Primary Artist
Tom Saviano Saxophone
Neal Schon Guitar, Talk Box
Jess Sutcliffe Engineer
Pat Thern Engineer
Michael Hart Thompson Guitar
2005 Rosanna: The Very Best of Toto Toto Composer
2005 Rock the Bones, Vol. 3 Composer
Alien Primary Artist
Russell Allen Primary Artist
André Andersen Composer
Phillip Bardowell Primary Artist
Ari Baron Composer
Bobby Barth Composer
Reb Beach Composer
Robin Beck Primary Artist
Blanc Faces Primary Artist
Tony Borg Composer
Brazen Abbot Primary Artist
Jonathan Cain Composer
Giulio Cataldo Layout Design
Circus Maximus Primary Artist
Neil Citron Composer
Karl Cochran Composer
Tommy Denander Composer, Primary Artist
Geoff Downes Composer
Enuff Z'nuff Primary Artist
Michael Eriksen Composer
Cenk Eroglu Composer
Final Frontier Primary Artist
Forty Deuce Primary Artist
Fergie Frederiksen Composer
Harem Scarem Primary Artist
Tony Harnell Composer
Hartmann Primary Artist
Oliver Hartmann Composer
Bob Held Composer
Harry Hess Composer
Glenn Hughes Primary Artist
Jaded Heart Primary Artist
Marc Jordan Composer
Journey Primary Artist
Magnus Karlsson Composer
Khymera Primary Artist
Richie Kotzen Composer
Nikolo Kotzev Composer
Brian LaBlanc Composer
Jørn Lande Primary Artist
Lana Lane Composer, Primary Artist
John Lennon Composer
Pete Lesperance Composer
James Martin Composer
Tom Martin Composer
Paul McCartney Composer
Michael Mueller Composer
Bruce Nazarian Composer
Richard Palmer-James Composer
Jim Peterik Composer
Ricky Phillips Composer
Doug Pinnick Composer
Place Vendome Primary Artist
Royal Hunt Primary Artist
Neal Schon Composer
Amy Sky Composer
Jeff Scott Soto Composer
Soul Sirkus Primary Artist
Starbreaker Primary Artist
Styx Primary Artist
Frankie Sullivan Composer
Terra Nova Primary Artist
Bruce Turgon Composer, Primary Artist
Joe Lynn Turner Primary Artist
Steve Walsh Composer, Primary Artist
Henning Wanner Composer
Dennis Ward Composer
John Wetton Composer
Kip Winger Composer
Xcarnation Primary Artist
Chip Znuff Composer
2005 Northern Light Northern Light Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Rick Barron Composer, Vocals (Background)
Fredrik Bergh Composer
Kimmo Blom Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Terje Eide Composer
Mikael Erlandsson Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Tony Mills Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Northern Light Primary Artist
Bernd Riebutsch Mastering
Peter Sundell Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
2005 Hold the Line Toto Composer
2003 Yeah Radioactive Vocals
Matti Alfonzetti Vocals
Kimmo Blom Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Chris Demming Composer, Engineer, Organ (Hammond), Vocal Producer, Vocals (Background)
Tommy Denander Bass, Composer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer, Programming
Mikael Erlandsson Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Tony Franklin Bass, Engineer
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals
Bruce Gaitsch Engineer, Guitar (Acoustic)
Marcel Jacob Bass
Rainer Kalwitz Cover Painting
Erkka Korhonen Engineer, Vocals (Background)
Kristoffer Lagerström Vocals (Background)
Steve Overland Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Phillips Olson, Seth Engineer
Radioactive Primary Artist
Geir Rönning Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Anders "Theo" Theander Mastering, Mixing
Pat Thern Drums, Engineer
Graham "Grado" Woodcock Engineer
2003 Love Songs Toto Vocals
2003 Africa Toto Composer
2002 Greatest Hits...And More Toto Group Member
2001 Collections Toto Main Personnel, Composer
2000 Music of Toto Composer
1999 Equilibrium Fergie Frederiksen Primary Artist, Composer
Guy Allison String Arrangements, Strings
Dave Amato Vocals (Background)
John Bettis Composer
Nicky Brown Composer
David Buskin Composer
Desmond Child Composer
Fergie Frederiksen Composer, Primary Artist
Phil Galdston Composer
Al Gorgoni Composer
Bruce Gowdy Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Mixing, Piano, Slide Guitar
Susan Hamilton Composer
Kelly Hansen Vocals (Background)
Steve Kipner Composer
Jon Lind Composer
Michael Monarch Slide Guitar
Marcus Nand Guitar
Martin Page Composer
Richard Page Composer
Joe Perry Composer
Jim Peterik Composer
Ricky Phillips 5-string Bass, 8-String Bass, Bass, Composer, Fretless Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Mixing, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Tim Pierce Guest Artist, Guitar
Steve Porcaro Guest Artist, Keyboards
Rocket Ritchotte Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
Jason Scheff Guest Artist, Vocals (Background)
Neal Schon Guest Artist, Guitar
Jeff Scott Soto Vocals (Background)
Chris Thompson Composer
Steven Tyler Composer
John Van Tongeren Composer
Brock Walsh Composer
Ron Wikso Drums
1996 Greatest Hits Toto Composer
Glen Ballard Composer
Fergie Frederiksen Composer
Randy Goodrum Composer
Steve Lukather Composer
Stan Lynch Composer
David Paich Composer
Jeff Porcaro Composer
Mike Porcaro Composer
Steve Porcaro Composer
Toto Composer, Primary Artist
Joseph Williams Composer
1996 Classic Toto Hits Classic Rock Orchestra Composer
Jack Ball Production Coordination
Jean-Michel Byron Composer
Classic Rock Orchestra Primary Artist
Moe Daniel Photography
Fergie Frederiksen Composer
Amy Fritch Artwork
Randy Goodrum Composer
Steve Lukather Composer
Gabe Mera Artwork
David Paich Composer
Jeff Porcaro Composer
Freddy Schladt Arranger, Conductor, Producer
Tommy Schmitt-Zijnen Producer
Rainer Schulz Engineer
Tim Soter Design
1995 Frederiksen Phillips Equilibrium
Ricky Phillips bass, keyboards, backing vocals, producer
Fergy Frederiksen lead vocals
Deen Castronovo drums
Neal Schon guitars
Mike Finnigan Hammond organ
Steve Grove saxophone
Jason Scheff backing vocals
Steve Farris guitars
Marcus Nand guitar
John Purdell backing vocals
Tim Pierce guitars
Jesse Harms Hammond organ
Robin McAuley backing vocals
David Glen Eisley backing vocals
Alan White drums
Guy Allison keyboards
Bruce Gowdy guitars
Brian Kilgore percussion
Bobby Blotzer drums
Darrell Leonard trumpet
Marcie Free backing vocals
Pat Torpey drums
1990 Past to Present 1977-1990 Toto Composer
Jean-Michel Byron Composer
Fergie Frederiksen Composer
Randy Goodrum Composer
Bobby Kimball Composer
Steve Lukather Composer
David Paich Composer
Jeff Porcaro Composer
Mike Porcaro Composer
Mark Ryder Illustration Concept, Illustrations
Toto Primary Artist
Joseph Williams Composer
1989 Raging Silence Uriah Heep Composer
Uriah Heep is one of the few heavy metal/hard rock outfits that can rival Deep Purple when it comes to an abundance of personnel changes; you could write a book about the many different Uriah Heep lineups that existed in the 1970s and 1980s. Because it was such a revolving door, its work became increasingly erratic as time passed -- many headbangers gave up on the band in the late '70s. Recorded in 1988 and 1989 and released in April 1989, Raging Silence is the work of a band that was long past its prime. On this CD, the five-man lineup includes founder/guitarist Mick Box as well as lead singer Bernie Shaw, bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, and drummer Lee Kerslake. The material is generic arena rock -- try as it might, Uriah Heep is unable to recapture the magic and creativity of its early years. Corporate rock items like "Cry Freedom" and "Blood Red Roses" are mildly catchy, and a cover of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" is pleasant enough. But even so, Raging Silence pales in comparison to classics like 1971's Look at Yourself and 1972's Demons and Wizards. Not a disaster but certainly unremarkable, this CD is strictly for completists.
1986 Fahrenheit Toto Vocals (Background)
After the ballad-deprived Isolation failed to meet the marketplace like its predecessor, Toto IV, Toto returned to making lush, mid-tempo tunes of romantic despair on Fahrenheit, enlisting their third lead singer, Joseph Williams, and calling in chips all over L.A. to score cameos from the likes of Michael McDonald, Don Henley, David Sanborn, and even Miles Davis, who had the closing track, "Don't Stop Me Now," pretty much to himself. Williams was a slightly grittier and more identifiable vocalist than Bobby Kimball or Fergie Frederiksen. But while the return to power ballads had the intended effect on the pop and adult contemporary charts (both "I'll Be over You" and "Without Your Love" scored), the album had a relatively low chart peak and failed to go gold. That kind of disconnection always indicates that the radio audience is failing to identify the songs with the group that made them, and it always means a career in trouble.
Keith Albright Technician
Brent Averill Engineer, Technician
Amin Bhatia Introduction, Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
Bob Bradshaw Technician
Paulette Brown Vocals (Background)
Lenny Castro Percussion
Paulinho Da Costa Percussion
Murray Dvorkin Engineer
Chuck Findley Horn
Larry Fitzgerald Management
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals (Background)
Dan Garcia Engineer
Randy Goodrum Composer
Gary Grant Horn
Mark Hartley Management
Jerry Hey Horn, Horn Arrangements
Paul Jamieson Engineer, Technician
John Jessel Engineer, Technician
Steve Jordan Percussion
Art Kelm Engineer, Technician
Jim Keltner Percussion
Tom Knox Engineer, Mixing
Greg Ladanyi Engineer, Mixing
Julie Last Engineer
Roger Linn Engineer, Technician
Shep Lonsdale Engineer
Charles Loper Horn
Bob Ludwig Mastering
Steve Lukather Composer, Guitar, Vocals
Roger Nichols Engineer
David Paich Composer, Keyboards, Vocals
Jeff Porcaro Composer, Drums, Percussion
Joe Porcaro Percussion
Mike Porcaro Bass
Steve Porcaro Composer, Electronics, Electronic Sounds, Keyboards, Vocals
Jack Joseph Puig Engineer
Joe Reagoso Liner Notes, Reissue Producer
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. Horn
Tom Scott Horn
Duane Seykora Engineer
Jim Shea Photography, Sleeve Photo
Michael Sherwood Vocals (Background)
Sidney Percussion
Toto Arranger, Primary Artist, Producer
Tony Walters Vocals (Background)
Joseph Williams Composer, Vocals
Larry Williams Horn
Larry Andrew Williams Horn
1984 Isolation Toto Vocals, Composer
Having traded in lead singer Bobby Kimball for Fergie Frederiksen, a smooth tenor wailer in the tradition of Journey's Steve Perry, Toto proceeded to follow its power ballad smash Toto IV with a Journey clone album, minus the aching ballads that had made Journey such a success. A workout for drummer Jeff Porcaro, keyboardist David Paich, and guitarist Steve Lukather, Isolation was anything but the kind of record those millions who had loved "Rosanna" were waiting for. It seemed intended to restore the bandmembers' heady studio reputations as hard rock technicians, which it did by dispensing with the elements that finally had made the band a big success in 1982.
Niko Bolas Engineer
Richard Bosworth Assistant Engineer
Lenny Castro Congas, Percussion
Michael Cotten Synthesizer
Dyer Kahn, Inc. Cover Design
Chuck Findley Horn, Trumpet
Fergie Frederiksen Composer, Vocals
Jerry Hey Trumpet
James Newton Howard Strings
Tom Kelly Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Bobby Kimball Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Tom Knox Engineer
Robert Kopecky Illustrations
John Kurlander Engineer
Greg Ladanyi Engineer, Mixing
Steve Lukather Composer, Guitar, Vocals
Gene Morford Bass (Vocal), Vocals
Bill Murphy Cover Design
Richard Page Vocals, Vocals (Background)
David Paich Composer, Keyboards, Vocals
Jeff Porcaro Composer, Drums, Percussion
Mike Porcaro Bass, Cello
Steve Porcaro Keyboards, Vocals
Tom Scott Saxophone
Toto Primary Artist, Producer
1983 So Fired Up Le Roux Vocals
With Fergie Frederiksen (vocals) and Jim Odom (guitar/vocals) respectively replacing Jeff Pollard (electric/acoustic guitars/lead vocals) and Bobby Campo (percussion/vocals), LeRoux hoped to build upon the success of their previous effort Last Safe Place (1981). The infusion of fresh talent and a desire to find an audience among the AOR marketplace took the band in a slightly different direction. Frederiksen immediately stakes his territory as the title track "So Fired Up" commences with a hell-raising wail that leads into the upbeat, synth-dominated outing. "Lifeline" is another energetic, fist-pumping side bearing little resemblance to distinguish it from the likes of Autograph, Fastway or Ratt. "Yours Tonight" is a transformative power ballad that quickly evolves into a generic, if not excessive, hard rock song. Contrary to LeRoux's former long-players, there isn't much in the way of diversity as "Turning Point," "Don't Take It Away," "Look Out" and the autobiographical single "Carrie's Gone" -- written about Carol Burnett's daughter, whom Frederiksen was concurrently courting -- are all pretty much the same hapless hair metal style, which was undeniably popular at the time. A sole momentary diversion is the somewhat predictably pop-ish "Wait One Minute," sounding similar to post-Frontiers (1983) Journey. Gone were the days of LeRoux's great and varied compositions such as "New Orleans Ladies," "Thunder 'N Lightnin'" and "Mystery." It's no wonder the combo dissipated for the remainder of the '80s. When they resurfaced some 20 years later with Ain't Nothing But a Gris Gris (2001) it was with a renewed sense of tradition and emphasis on well-crafted tunes and a return to the group dynamic that dominated LeRoux's first few LPs.
Warren Dewey Engineer
Mike Doud Cover Design
David Farrell Assistant Engineer
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals
Tony Haselden Guitar, Vocals
Bruce Irvine Assistant Engineer
Le Roux Primary Artist
Paul Maxon Artwork, Illustrations, Photography
Leon Medica Bass, Producer, Vocals
Jim Odom Guitar, Vocals
David Pack Vocals
David Peters Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Rod Roddy Keyboards
The Heart of L.A. AOR Vocals, Vocals (Background)
AOR Primary Artist
Phillip Bardowell Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Kevin Chalfant Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Bill Champlin Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Chasing Violets Vocals
James Christian Vocals
Jesse Damon Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Tommy Denander Instrumentation
Mélissa Fontaine Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Sarah Fontaine Vocals, Vocals (Background)
David Forbes Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Jim Jidhed Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Chris Ousey Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Steve Overland Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Joe Pasquale Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Rick Riso Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Paul Sabu Featured Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Paul Shortino Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Frédéric Slama Arranger, Composer, Guitars, Keyboards, Producer
Jeff Scott Soto Vocals, Vocals (Background)
L.A Ambition AOR Vocals
AOR Primary Artist
Tom Bailey Vocals (Background)
Phillip Bardowell Vocals
Charlie Bleak Vocals (Background)
Rev. Dave Boruff Saxophone
David Chamberlin Vocals
Bill Champlin Vocals
Janey Clewer Vocals (Background)
Vinnie Colaiuta Drums
Chris Demming Vocals (Background)
Tommy Denander Arranger, Guitar, Producer
David Diggs Arranger, Keyboards, Producer
Rachel Diggs Vocals (Background)
Dane Donohue Composer, Vocals
Goran Edman Vocals
Brandon Fields Saxophone
Fergie Frederiksen Vocals
Peter Friestedt Keyboards
Bruce Gaitsch Guitar
Ed Greene Drums
André Harold Guitar
James Harrah Guitar
Joe Heredia Drums
Don Holzderber Composer
Peter Hume Keyboards
Hussain Jiffry Bass
J. Lynn Johnston Vocals
Richard M. Jones Artwork, Design
Michael Kisur Vocals
Michael Landau Guitar
Steve Lukather Guitar
Tobias Marberger Keyboards
Wendell Michaels Composer
Steve Overland Vocals
Rick Riso Vocals
David Roberts Vocals
Michael Ruff Vocals
Johan Sahlén Vocals (Background)
Tom Saviano Saxophone
Frédéric Slama Arranger, Artwork, Composer, Design, Guitar, Liner Notes, Producer
Ken Stange Keyboards
Michael Thomas Vocals
Marcos Ubeda Keyboards
Carlos Vega Drums
Eddie Watkins Jr. Bass
David Williams Guitar
Happiness is the Road Fergie Frederiksen Primary Artist, Vocals, Composer
The Auras Additional Music
Mark Baker Composer
Mark Baker Composer
Filipe Beyer Keyboards
Matt Brandon Guitars, Vocals (Background)
Dirk Bruinenbeg Drums
Giulio Cataldo Art Direction
Nello Dell'Omo Artwork
Nathan Eshman Guitars
Fergie Frederiksen Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals
Ferpa Lacerda Composer, Guitars
Alex Ligertwood Vocals (Background)
Jürgen Lusky Mastering
Ronny Milianowicz Composer
Ronny Milionowicz Composer
Gui Oliver Composer, Vocals (Background)
Serafino Perugina Executive Producer
Jim Peterik Composer, Vocal Producer, Vocals (Background)
Eric Ragno Keyboards
David Roberts Composer
Robert Säll Composer
Jeff Silbar Composer
Joe Vana Composer
Hemerson Vieira Bass
Dennis Ward Composer, Engineer, Guitar (Bass), Guitars, Keyboards, Mixing, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Christian Wolff Composer
Christian Wolff Composer
Similar To
Cherie Currie
David Ragsdale
Shooting Star
TOTO
Background information
Origin Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Rock pop jazz fusion
Years active
1977–2008 2010–2019[1] 2020–present
Associated acts
Boz Scaggs LeRoux Steely Dan Seals and Crofts Half Moon Michael McDonald Yoso Michael Jackson Many others
Members
Steve Lukather
Joseph Williams
Past members
David Paich
Steve Porcaro
David Hungate
Bobby Kimball
Jeff Porcaro
Mike Porcaro
Fergie Frederiksen
Jean-Michel Byron
Simon Phillips
Greg Phillinganes
Keith Carlock
Toto (stylized as TOTO) is an American rock band formed in 1977 in Los Angeles. The band's current lineup consists of Steve Lukather (guitars and vocals) and Joseph Williams (vocals), as well as touring musicians, John Pierce (bass and vocals), Robert "Sput" Searight (drums), Dominique "Xavier" Taplin (keyboards and vocals), Steve Maggiora (keyboards and vocals) and Warren Ham (horns and vocals). Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard rock, R&B, blues and jazz.
David Paich and Jeff Porcaro had played together as session musicians on several albums and decided to form a band. David Hungate, Lukather, Steve Porcaro, and Bobby Kimball were recruited before the first album release. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the late 1970s and 1980s, beginning with the band's eponymous debut released in 1978. With the release of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Toto IV (1982), Toto became one of the best-selling music groups of their era.
Widely known for the Top 5 hits "Hold the Line", "Rosanna", and "Africa", the makeup of the group continued to evolve. Hungate left in 1982; Kimball left in 1984, but rejoined the band in 1998, leaving again in 2008. Jeff Porcaro died in 1992 of a heart attack. Hungate rejoined Toto as a touring musician and later a band member. In 2008, Lukather announced his departure from the band, and the remaining band members later went their separate ways. In the summer of 2010, Toto reformed and went on a short European tour, with a new lineup, to benefit Mike Porcaro, who had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and was no longer an active member of the band. He died in 2015.[2] The band celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017. Toto announced an extended hiatus following the final leg of their 40th anniversary tour in 2019.
In October 2020, the band announced that guitarist and founding member Steve Lukather and longtime vocalist Joseph Williams would return to touring as Toto in the 2021 "Dogz of Oz" tour, and in a live-streamed concert on November 21, 2020 due to the -19 pandemic.
Toto has released 14 studio albums, and has sold over 40 million records worldwide.[3] The group has been honored with several Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.[4]
History
1977: Formation
Toto in 1982 in London at the Hammersmith Odeon. (Steve Porcaro, Jon Smith, Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, Lenny Castro, Jeff Porcaro)
The members of Toto were regulars on albums by Steely Dan,[5] Seals and Crofts,[6] Boz Scaggs,[7] Sonny and Cher,[8] and many others, contributing to many of the most popular records of the 1970s. Keyboardist David Paich, son of musician and session player/arranger Marty Paich, rose to fame after having co-written much of Scaggs's Silk Degrees album. Having played on many sessions with drummer Jeff Porcaro (the son of session percussionist Joe Porcaro), whom he met while attending Grant High School, where they formed the band Rural Still Life, Paich began to discuss seriously with Porcaro the possibility of them forming their own band. They brought in bassist and fellow session veteran David Hungate, having played with him in the backing band for Scaggs. In addition, the duo asked fellow Grant High School students, guitarist Steve Lukather (who also played in Scaggs's band as a replacement for Les Dudek) and Jeff Porcaro's brother Steve Porcaro (keyboards) to join the team. Lukather and Steve Porcaro were in the same year at Grant and continued the band Rural Still Life (the name shortened to Still Life) after Paich and Jeff graduated. With the addition of former S.S. Fools singer Bobby Kimball, the group began to work on their first album in 1977 after signing with Columbia Records.
1977–1979: Band name and debut album
Once the band came together, David Paich began composing what would become the eponymous debut album, Toto. According to popular myth, at the first recording sessions, in order to distinguish their own demo tapes from other bands' in the studio, Jeff Porcaro wrote the word "Toto" on them. In the early 1980s, band members told the press that the band was named after Toto the dog from The Wizard of Oz.[9] After the completion of the first album, the band and record were still unnamed. David Hungate, after viewing the name on the demo tapes, explained to the group that the Latin words "in toto" translated to "all-encompassing." Because the band members played on so many records and so many musical genres, they adopted the name "Toto" as their own.[citation needed].
After its release, Toto climbed the charts quickly, earning popularity with the hit single "Hold the Line", as well as the charting "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy", featuring Cheryl Lynn. The band garnered international acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Shortly thereafter, in early 1979, Toto embarked on their first American tour in support of the debut album.[10] For the tour, Toto brought along two additional musicians, Tom Kelly (guitar, backup vocals) and Lenny Castro (percussion), to increase the depth of the sound, and continued to bring additional touring musicians for all subsequent tours. (See the "Tour Musicians" section below).
1980–1981: Hydra and Turn Back
At the close of the first tour, the band began work on their next album, titled Hydra, which was released later that year and featured the single "99", inspired by George Lucas' cult film THX 1138.[11] Nearly 30 years later, Steve Lukather confessed that, despite the song's popularity, he hated "99" and that it's one of his least favorite Toto songs, which is why it was rarely performed after Hydra's tour.[12] The band also released four promotional music videos for the album, including the title track. The other two were "St George and The Dragon" and "All Us Boys". They were directed by Bruce Gowers and produced by Paul Flattery for Jon Roseman Productions International. Although the album Hydra failed to achieve the commercial success of Toto's first release, it still went gold. Following the album's release, the band set out on the "Hydra Tour", which featured both American and international dates. The tour lasted from February until June 1980.[10]
In early 1981, Toto released their third album, Turn Back. The album was a venture into arena rock[13] and featured heavier guitar and fewer keyboards than on the previous two records.
On December 15, 1981, Bobby Kimball was arrested for allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover police officer.[14]
1982: Toto IV
Africa
Menu
0:00
Problems playing this file? See media help.
1982 marked the beginning of Toto's most successful era. After the disappointing sales of Turn Back, the band was under a great deal of pressure from the record company to produce a new smash record. With the Triple Platinum-certified Toto IV, the band delivered one of the most commercially successful records of the year. The album featured three singles that reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Rosanna", "Africa" and "I Won't Hold You Back". The album also appeared on several worldwide charts, introducing the band to new audiences around the globe. "Africa" topped the charts in February 1983 and was a constant presence on radios around the world, but it was "Rosanna" that earned the band multiple Grammy nominations. Toto IV earned six Grammy Awards, including "Record of the Year" for "Rosanna", "Album of the Year" for Toto IV and "Producer of the Year". At the time Steve Porcaro was dating actress Rosanna Arquette, but the song is not about her, according to writer David Paich.[15] In the music video for the song, Cynthia Rhodes plays the title character. In addition to "Africa" and "Rosanna", Toto IV continued its successful run with the release of another single, "Make Believe". Toto toured throughout 1982 in support of Toto IV.[10] Also, during this time, Steve Porcaro co-wrote and co-composed "Human Nature," which Michael Jackson recorded for his best-selling album Thriller (1982), turning the song into a smash hit. Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather also appeared on Thriller on multiple tracks, most notably the Jackson/Paul McCartney duet "The Girl Is Mine".
1982–1985: Isolation
Subsequent to the Toto IV release, bassist David Hungate left the band. Hungate, who had relocated to Nashville in 1980 to pursue a session/production career, felt that the fame surrounding Toto IV would prevent him from spending time with his family. A third Porcaro brother, Mike Porcaro, who had performed cello on a track from Toto IV, replaced Hungate on bass. Lead singer Bobby Kimball spent the early part of 1983 facing prosecution for drug-related charges. Kimball was ordered to stand trial, but pleaded not guilty. The charges were dismissed on May 28 of that year.[16] However, Kimball was fired from the band in 1984.[17] Later that year, Toto composed most of the music for the soundtrack to the film Dune.
At one point, Richard Page of the band Mr. Mister was offered the lead singer spot, but turned it down to continue with his band. Fergie Frederiksen (formerly of bands Angel, Trillion and LeRoux) was brought in as the new vocalist and the band recorded Isolation, released in November 1984. While Isolation did not achieve the acclaim or sales of Toto IV, it did achieve Gold status, largely on the strength of the single "Stranger in Town". Isolation's tour began in February 1985 and concluded three months later.[10]
1985–1988: Fahrenheit and The Seventh One with Joseph Williams
David Paich during a live concert
At the close of the Isolation tour in 1985, Fergie Frederiksen was let go. Lukather claimed that the band was not meshing well with Frederiksen because he had a difficult time recording with them in the studio.[18] The band held an audition and Joseph Williams, son of film composer John Williams and 1950s singer/actress Barbara Ruick, was chosen to take over lead vocals in early 1986.
With Joseph Williams now onboard officially, Toto wrote and recorded Fahrenheit, released in October 1986. While Williams performs lead vocals, Frederiksen had begun recording a few tracks and is featured as a background vocalist on the track "Could This Be Love".
Fahrenheit brought the band back from the heavier sound of Isolation to their pop/rock roots. "I'll Be Over You" and "Without Your Love", which were both ballads sung by Lukather, were the two hit singles. The band recruited several guest musicians for the album. They recorded an instrumental piece entitled "Don't Stop Me Now" with legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. In addition, a then-unknown Paula Abdul appeared as a dancer in their "Till the End" music video. Michael McDonald provided backup vocals on the song "I'll Be Over You" (and appeared in the accompanying music video), while Eagles founder and songwriting giant Don Henley appeared on the Steve Porcaro penned track "Lea".
After its release, the band embarked on another world tour. Upon its conclusion in 1987, Steve Porcaro left the band to pursue a career in film and television scoring. Fahrenheit eventually went Gold on October 3, 1994.[19] Steve Porcaro was never replaced and Toto decided to continue with only five members. Although Porcaro occasionally assisted the band on synthesizers for their subsequent studio albums (and appeared on their 1988 tour), David Paich handled most of the live keyboard work (with keyboard technician John Jessel assisting on certain dates) post 1988.
In 1988 Toto released their next album The Seventh One, featuring Jon Anderson of Yes on backup vocals on the single "Stop Loving You". The album's other single, "Pamela", became very popular and would be the band's last to hit the US Top 40. The Seventh One became the band's most successful release since Toto IV.[20] The band toured from February through July 1988.[10]
1988–1990: Past To Present and Jean-Michel Byron
Steve Lukather on Varus Open Air in Osnabrück, Germany, 2004
Although "The Seventh One Tour" was very successful, after it was finished the band decided to replace lead singer Joseph Williams. Originally, the band wanted to reunite with original vocalist Bobby Kimball to record new songs for a greatest hits record, but the record company instead insisted they hire South African singer Jean-Michel Byron. Before Byron was brought in, the band recorded "Goin' Home" with Kimball. This song was later featured on the Toto XX album as an "unreleased song." When Byron was brought in (in 1989) he and Toto recorded four new songs which were included on their greatest hits album Past to Present 1977–1990, released in 1990. Toto then embarked upon the "Planet Earth" tour that lasted from September until December 1990. The band didn't get along with Byron, whose diva-like behavior and flamboyant stage presence caused friction during the tour. He was demoted to background vocals before ultimately being fired at the conclusion of the tour. During this time, the band also found that former singer Bobby Kimball was booking shows and billing himself and his backing band as "Toto".[21] In April, mirroring the situation that had happened with Kimball seven years previously, former singer Joseph Williams was arrested on drug-related charges.[22]
Lukather's first solo album was released in 1989, named Lukather, and featured musicians such as Eddie Van Halen and Richard Marx.
1991–1992: Kingdom of Desire and Jeff Porcaro's death
Once again without a lead vocalist, guitarist Steve Lukather sang lead vocals and became the new front man. Toto played at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1991 and the band recorded Kingdom of Desire, which was released on Columbia Records in most parts of the world and on Clive Davis' label Relativity Records in the United States.
Jeff Porcaro died in an accident on August 5, 1992, at the age of 38 while working in his garden. According to the LA Times Report, the Los Angeles County Coroner's office lists the cause of death to be a heart attack from the hardening of the arteries caused by cocaine use.[23][24] Facing the prospect of a tour without Jeff, Toto almost broke up. However, Jeff Porcaro's family insisted the band continue. The band contacted Los Angeles-based Englishman Simon Phillips to replace Jeff Porcaro as they knew that Porcaro liked Phillips and because Lukather worked with Phillips on a previous tour with Santana and Jeff Beck in Japan in 1986.
Phillips joined the band and they went on the tour, which they dedicated to Jeff's memory. In 1993 they released a live album called Absolutely Live. From 1991 on, Steve Lukather would handle a majority of the vocals (until Bobby Kimball's return in 1998), but some older songs originally sung by Kimball, Fergie Frederiksen, and Joseph Williams were put in the set list and sung by new backup singers Fred White (who was replaced by John James in 1992), Jackie McGee (who had joined for the 1990 tour and was replaced by Donna McDaniel in 1992) and Jenny Douglas-McRae (who had also come aboard in 1990). John sang "Stop Loving You" and Bobby's part on "Rosanna", Donna sang "Home of the Brave" and "Angel Don't Cry", and Jenny sang "Hold the Line".
On December 14, 1992, the Tribute to Jeff Porcaro Concert was held at Universal City's Universal Amphitheatre. Performers including Don Henley, Eddie Van Halen, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Boz Scaggs, James Newton Howard, Michael McDonald, Richard Marx and special guest George Harrison performed various Toto songs along with the four remaining Toto members.[25] At the close of the tour, the band then took a break to pursue individual projects as well as to keep up their session schedules.
From March to November 1993, Lukather and Phillips teamed up with friends David Garfield and John Pena on the side project Los Lobotomys and recorded the album Candyman.
1995–1997: Addition of Simon Phillips and Tambu
In 1995 Toto recorded Tambu, their first album with Simon Phillips, which saw the band back with CBS (now Sony). A departure from Toto's sound of the late 1970s and 1980s, Tambu was a very organic release and featured the single "I Will Remember", which received moderate radio play. Other singles released were "Drag Him To The Roof" and "The Turning Point". Tambu also featured John James and Jenny Douglas-McRae as backup singers on some of the tracks. Douglas-McRae even sang lead on the album's bonus track, "Blackeye", and also in a duet with Steve Lukather on "Baby He's Your Man". Tambu sold 600,000 copies worldwide.[citation needed]
The "Tambu Tour" proved to be another success, although there were no North American dates. Simon Phillips suffered from a back problem, so Gregg Bissonette had to fill in for him during the first leg of the tour in late 1995. The tour concluded in 1996. The rest of the tour personnel remained the same, with the exception of Donna McDaniel who had left in 1994 shortly after the "Night of the Proms" performances (which Douglas-McRae had missed since she was out touring with Joe Cocker). The song "Hold the Line" was now sung as a duet between James and Douglas-McRae.[26] Both James and Douglas-McRae were dropped from the band at the conclusion of the 1997 tour.
Lukather released his second solo album, Luke, which was a more "introspective" album than his previous solo album.
1997–2001: Toto XX, Bobby Kimball's return and Mindfields
1997 marked the band's 20th anniversary, and in order to commemorate it, David Paich and Steve Lukather started to go through several old tapes and demos for a special record of unreleased songs. In 1998 they released Toto XX with the single "Goin' Home". Toto went on a small promotional tour with former members Bobby Kimball, Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams.
After the "Toto XX" tour, Bobby Kimball rejoined the band as lead singer after 14 years. The band released Mindfields in early 1999 and embarked on the "Reunion" tour, touring worldwide and returning to the United States for the first time in six years. The new album featured three singles, "Melanie", "Cruel" and "Mad About You", a song co-written by David Paich and former Toto vocalist Joseph Williams. Later that year, a live album titled Livefields was released. The tour officially concluded in 2000, but the band played a few shows throughout 2001. David Paich briefly took a break from touring in 2000, so Jeff Babko filled in on keyboards.[27] Paich then resumed touring with Toto in 2001.
2002–2003: Through the Looking Glass and Toto's 25th anniversary
In 2002, in celebration of Toto's 25th anniversary, the band released Through the Looking Glass, a covers album that paid tribute to the band's musical influences, such as Bob Marley, Steely Dan, The Beatles and Elton John. Two singles were released, "Could You Be Loved", a Bob Marley cover, and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", a Beatles cover. The album was not a commercial success and many fans were upset about the release, thinking that the band should have written new material instead.[28] However, the record gave the band material to promote their "25th Anniversary Tour", which started in 2002 and concluded in 2003. After the tour, Toto released a live album and DVD of the show titled Live in Amsterdam. Both the live album and the DVD were released in late 2003.
2003–2005: Greg Phillinganes and David Paich's semi-retirement
Toto on stage at the Summer Tour 2004 in Modena, Italy, July 11, 2004. From the left: Tony Spinner, David Paich, Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Mike Porcaro
Beginning in June 2003, near the end of their "25th Anniversary Tour", keyboardist David Paich took a leave of absence from touring to spend time with a sick family member. Veteran keyboardist Greg Phillinganes filled in for Paich for the rest of the tour.
In late 2003, Toto headlined Night of the Proms for two months straight. Paich returned but was only able to play for a few weeks before he had to leave again, so Phillinganes once again filled in for the remainder of the shows. After Simon Phillips announced of illness, Jon Fariss and Ricky Lawson joined the band for the Night of the Proms. In early 2004, the band embarked on a world tour that went throughout 2004 and 2005. Paich only occasionally appeared, with Phillinganes playing at most of the shows. In 2005, Phillinganes was asked to become a regular member of the band and Paich retired from touring. Paich was still a member of Toto, however, as he continued to record and produce on all of Toto's releases.[29][citation needed]
In October 2003, Steve Lukather released a Christmas album named Santamental, featuring musicians such as Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Steve Vai and Gregg Bissonette.
2006–2008: Falling In Between and Falling In Between Live
Steve Lukather and Greg Phillinganes, in Trondheim, Norway, August 4, 2007
In early 2006, Toto released Falling in Between on the Italian label Frontiers, their first album of new material since 1999. The release featured extensive keyboard work from Steve Porcaro and a duet with Joseph Williams on the first single, "Bottom of Your Soul". Following the record's release, Toto embarked on an extensive worldwide tour in 2006, which continued into 2007 for a second leg. The 2007 leg featured Leland Sklar filling in on bass for Mike Porcaro due to an (at the time) undisclosed illness. 2007 featured extensive dates in both Europe and the United States, including an appearance at Moondance Jam in Walker, Minnesota. Former lead singer Fergie Frederiksen made a guest appearance at the Minneapolis date on May 5, 2007[30] and Joseph Williams also made a few guest appearances with the band in June 2007.[31]
Kimball and Lukather live in 2007
Toto released a two-CD set Falling in Between Live on Eagle Records to commemorate the tour. This live set marks the fourth for the band, following 1993's Absolutely Live, 1999's Livefields and 2003's Live In Amsterdam.
In 2008, a companion DVD of the show which was recorded in Paris in March 2007 was released.
2008: First hiatus
After a period of rumors and some allusions, on June 5, 2008, Lukather posted a message on his official website, stating, "The fact is yes I have left Toto. There is no more Toto. I just can't do it anymore and at 50 years old I wanted to start over and give it one last try on my own."[32]
As the main motivation for his decision, Lukather said:
When Dave [Paich] retired that was REAL hard for me 'cause we started the band together. Hell, it's 35 years if you count High School where the core all met. When Mike [Porcaro] fell ill and had to leave that was it for me. If there isn't Paich or at least one Porcaro how can we even call it Toto? ... Honestly, I have just had enough. This is NOT a break. It is over. I really can't go out and play Hold The Line with a straight face anymore.
Steve Lukather released his next solo album on February 22, 2008, named Ever Changing Times.
2010: Reformation
On February 26, 2010, the band reformed and reunited for a brief tour of Europe in the summer to benefit Mike Porcaro, who had been diagnosed with ALS. The lineup featured David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and special guest Nathan East.[33]
Steve Lukather stated that the band still exists:
Edit to 2010.. well with Mike not being well and some of us missing each other the REAL high school friends (yes that includes Joe!!) got back together for the RIGHT reason. People want to hear the hits played the way they were recorded, Joe has his voice back 100% and I loved having that power in front again and all REAL, BIG vocals again strong and seeing Paich AND Steve Porcaro with THOSE real keyboard sounds, Simon back and as Lee was busy having old pal Nate East step in.. it was so much fun and so successful we thought "Hmm, maybe a few gigs once in awhile would be fun" and we can make some money etc.. please some of the hard core fans. We ALL have outside careers that keep us all busy, not to mention families etc.. no one really wants to make new music, not a full record anyway. MAYBE a track someday but not in the near future. I am on tour for a year anyway and enjoying a very successful sold out solo tour and my record sales are better than they have ever been so I dont wanna mess THAT up and everyone has their own very busy successful lives and once in awhile.. why not right? There is no covert BS goin on here.[34]
On October 11, 2010, Steve Lukather released his next solo album, All's Well That Ends Well.
Another tour in the summer of 2011 took place with former backup singer Jenny Douglas once again joining. Their show on July 17, 2011 in Verona, Italy was recorded for a live DVD but has yet to be released because of a contractual issue with their former label. They once again toured Europe in 2012.[35]
2013–2014: 35th anniversary, death of Fergie Frederiksen, Simon Phillips' departure
In 2013, celebrating their 35th anniversary, the band embarked on tour across Europe and North America, along with Japanese dates to follow in 2014. Their show on June 25, 2013 in Łódź, Poland was recorded for a live release and was released on April 29, 2014. On November 5, it was confirmed both on Toto's and David Paich's official Facebook pages that a new studio album was in the works and that the band planned to go into the studio early 2014.
On January 21, 2013, Steve Lukather released his latest solo album, Transition, featuring former Toto touring bassist Leland Sklar, as well as Gregg Bissonette and Chad Smith.
On January 18, 2014, former vocalist Fergie Frederiksen died after a long battle with liver cancer.[36][37] After the 2013 leg of the 35th anniversary tour, it was revealed via the band's official website on January 23, 2014 that Simon Phillips had departed the band to pursue a solo career. Phillips was then replaced by Steely Dan drummer Keith Carlock.[38]
2014: David Hungate's return and North American tour with Michael McDonald
While Keith Carlock was now part of the band, he did not join them for at least the North American tour and his role was filled by Shannon Forrest. Bass player Nathan East, who had been touring with them since 2010, left after the Japanese tour to pursue his own projects. Instead, original bass player David Hungate rejoined the band. They once again toured the United States in spring 2014 as co-headliners with singer Michael McDonald. It was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years.[39][40][41]
2015–2017: Toto XIV and Mike Porcaro's death
Toto released their fourteenth studio album and their first in nine years titled Toto XIV on March 20 (Europe), March 23 (UK and Oceania), and March 24, 2015 (North America). To promote the newly finished project, the band started a world tour running with an extensive European headline arena tour including appearances at key festivals, along with a North American tour to follow in the summer of 2015 and Asia later that year.[42][43]
On March 15, 2015, former bassist Mike Porcaro died, due to complications from his battle with ALS, in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles.[44]
On April 6, 2015, Toto announced that they would embark on August 7, 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut with veteran progressive band Yes on a joint summer tour of North America due to end on September 12, 2015 in Coquitlam, British Columbia.[45][46][47] Dave Santos took over bass from Dave Hungate for the final three dates of the 2015 tour and Shannon Forrest has continued to perform as the band's drummer.
On September 29, 2015, Toto announced the first leg of their 2016 Tour in support of Toto XIV consisting of European and Japanese dates. Leland Sklar, who joined them on their 2007 and 2008 tours, replaced founding member Hungate.[48] Sklar stopped touring with Toto in early 2017 and was replaced by Shem von Schroeck.
In June 2016, keyboardist Steve Porcaro released his first solo album, titled Someday/Somehow featuring Michael McDonald and Toto touring backing singer Mabvuto Carpenter.
2018–2019: 40th anniversary, 40 Trips Around the Sun, All In, Old Is New and second hiatus
On February 9, 2018, Toto released their anniversary album 40 Trips Around the Sun. They then embarked on a world tour promoting the album celebrating 40 years of playing music. The band's lineup consisted of the current Toto lineup (Joseph Williams, Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro), and their touring musicians: Lenny Castro, Shannon Forrest, Warren Ham and Shem von Schroeck.
On July 20, 2018, Toto announced: "David Paich will not be performing on the band's planned North American tour. He plans on focusing on his health and looks forward to returning to the road when ready to do so. In the absence of the founding keyboardist's presence on the tour, Dominique 'Xavier' Taplin (formerly with Prince) will be sitting in for David performing with Toto".[49]
Guitarist Steve Lukather performing a solo on Toto's live cover version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" during the Live At Chelsea festival at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on June 13, 2019.
After the European leg of the tour, Toto covered Weezer's song "Hash Pipe" in response to their cover of Toto's 1981 number 1 single, "Africa". The band added the cover to their setlist as the Encore for the 2018 North American leg of the tour.
On September 18, 2018, guitarist Steve Lukather released his autobiography The Gospel According to Luke, a humorous review on his life in music. An Audiobook was released shortly after on Audible.[50]
On November 6, 2018, the band released the box set All In which contained their fourteenth studio album Old Is New. This contained the three new tracks already released on 40 Trips Around the Sun plus completed recordings of four other older tracks featuring Jeff Porcaro on drums and either Mike Porcaro or David Hungate on bass plus other new recordings.
On January 2, 2019, Toto kicked off their 2019 leg of the 40 Trips Around The Sun tour in Byron Bay at the Falls Festival. Xavier Taplin remained in place of Paich through that tour. Toto embarked upon a brief tour of North America on September 20, 2019 – Steve Lukather stated that the tour will be the band's last for "a while," and that tensions within the band and its management have increased due to ongoing legal troubles, such as an ongoing lawsuit with the widow of founding member and drummer Jeff Porcaro, Susan Porcaro-Goings[51] (current wife of Rick Goings). David Paich made a special appearance with the group at the tour opener in Los Angeles, singing and playing on “Africa” and “Home of the Brave.”
On October 16, 2019, Steve Lukather stated that after the final show in Philadelphia on October 20, 2019, it would mark the "end of this configuration of Toto".[52] Steve Lukather had also announced that there is a film about Toto in the works, and hinted that he would be writing a new book, titled The New Testament According to Luke. David Paich made another special appearance at the final show in Philadelphia to again perform "Africa" and "Home of the Brave".
2020: Dogz of Oz Tour
On October 19, 2020, it was announced that Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams would return to touring under the band name, in a proposed worldwide tour in 2021, known as the Dogz of Oz Tour. The new band lineup would feature bassist John Pierce (Huey Lewis and the News), drummer Robert "Sput" Searight (Ghost-Note & Snarky Puppy), keyboardists Dominique "Xavier" Taplin (Prince & Ghost-Note) and Steve Maggiora (Robert Jon & The Wreck) as well as multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham.[53] The tour was scheduled to begin with a worldwide live streaming event on November 21, 2020.[54]
Session work (1970s to early 1990s)
Before, and during Toto, the members did various session work for a slew of notable musicians. The first of which, which also led to the birth of the band was with Boz Scaggs, in which Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, David Hungate, and Joe Porcaro (regular Toto guest contributor and father of Jeff, Steve, and Mike) played on his smash hit album Silk Degrees.[55] The members had done smaller scale work before this album working with the likes of Steely Dan,[56] Seals and Crofts,[57] and Sonny & Cher,[58] among others. Steve Lukather provided the main guitar work on Michael Jackson's hit "Beat It", although Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo in the bridge. Jeff Porcaro played drums on the track,[59] while Steve Porcaro programmed synthesizer for the Thriller album and also wrote and composed "Human Nature".
In 1982, the rock band Chicago brought in David Foster to produce their album Chicago 16. They had considered using him for their 1980 album Chicago XIV, but went with Tom Dowd instead. Under Foster's direction, the band adopted more of a soft rock sound, shed most of its jazz fusion/horn section sound, and brought in many session musicians, something that alienated Chicago member Robert Lamm a bit. Of the musicians chosen, three were Steve Lukather, David Paich, and Steve Porcaro, the three core members of Toto.[60]
In 1978, under David Foster's direction (who also produced the aforementioned Chicago album on which Toto also played), he brought in David Hungate, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, and Toto vocalist Bobby Kimball to play on Alice Cooper's 1978 album From the Inside. They have also played with legendary jazz player Miles Davis as well. Other artists/bands that the members of Toto collaborated with include; Larry Carlton, Pink Floyd, Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, James Newton-Howard, Michael McDonald, Eagles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Yes, Eddie Van Halen, Los Lobotomys, Yoso, Richard Page (of Mr. Mister, and was proposed to replace Bobby Kimball), and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band (also featuring Richard Page).
Jeff Porcaro
Band members
Further information: List of Toto band members
Current members
Steve Lukather – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals, bass guitar (1977–2008, 2010–2019, 2020–present)
Joseph Williams – lead and backing vocals, additional keyboards (1986–1988, 2010–2019, 2020–present)
Former members
David Paich – keyboards, lead and backing vocals (1977–2008, 2010-2019; inactive from touring 2005-2008, 2018-2019)
Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion (1977–1992; his death)
Steve Porcaro – keyboards, occasional backing and lead vocals (1977–1987, 2010–2019; session member 1987-1988, 1998)
David Hungate – bass, guitar (1977–1982; touring 2014–2015)
Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals (1977–1984, 1989, 1998–2008)
Mike Porcaro – bass, occasional backing vocals (1982–2007; died 2015)
Fergie Frederiksen – lead and backing vocals (1984–1985; died 2014)
Jean-Michel Byron – lead and backing vocals (1989-1990)
Simon Phillips – drums, percussion (1992–2008, 2010–2014)
Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, lead and backing vocals (2005–2008; touring 2003–2005)
Keith Carlock – drums, percussion, occasional backing vocals (2014–2015)
Discography
Main article: Toto discography
Studio albums
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)
Mindfields (1999)
Through the Looking Glass (2002)
Falling in Between (2006)
Toto XIV (2015)
Old Is New (2018)
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1979 Toto Best New Artist Nominated
1983 Producer of the Year Won
"Rosanna" Record of the Year Won
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices Won
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) Won
Toto IV Album of the Year Won
Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical Won
1997 Tambu Nominated
2000 Mindfields Nominated
Other awards
In 1986 Toto won a Crystal Globe award, signifying sales of more than 5 million records outside of their home country.[61]
Tours
1979 – Toto Tour
1980 – Hydra Tour
1982 – Toto IV Tour
1985–1986 – Isolation Tour
1986–1987 – Fahrenheit Tour
1988 – The Seventh One Tour
1990 – Planet Earth Tour (Past to Present Tour)
1991 – 1991 Summer Tour
1992–1993 – Kingdom of Desire Tour
1993 – 1993 Summer Tour
1995–1996 – Tambu Tour
1997 – South African Tour
1998 – Toto XX Tour
1999–2000 – Mindfields Tour
2001–2002 – 2001 Summer Tour
2002–2004 – 25th Anniversary Tour (Through the Looking Glass Tour)
2004–2005 – 2004 Summer Tour
2006–2008 – Falling in Between Tour
2010 – Mike Porcaro Honor Tour
2011 – In the Blink of an Eye Tour
2012 – 2012 Summer Tour
2013–2014 – 35th Anniversary Tour
2015–2016 – Toto XIV Tour (Yes & Toto Co-Headlining North American Summer Tour 2015) [47][62]
2017 – An Evening With Toto Tour
2018–2019 40 Trips Around the Sun Tour (40th Anniversary Tour) [63]
2021 – Dogz of Oz Tour
Toto defined the slick, smooth sound of Southern California in the late '70s and early '80s. This isn't quite the same thing as saying Toto solely played soft rock, although they contributed their share of adult contemporary standards, both as a band and as session musicians for Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, George Benson, and Michael Jackson. Veterans of high-end Los Angeles studios, guitarist Steve Lukather, keyboardists David Paich and Steve Porcaro, drummer Jeff Porcaro, and bassist David Hungate could play anything from soul to hard rock, which they proceeded to do on Toto's earliest albums. They were a hit right out of the gate in 1978, with "Hold the Line" rocketing to number five, but their career was made by their 1982 album Toto IV, an immaculate collection of pop/rock confections that spun off three Billboard Top Ten hits -- "Rosanna," "Africa," and "I Won't Hold You Back" -- on its way to winning five Grammys. Toto IV was such a big hit that Toto forever lived in its shadow, but the group persevered over the next four decades, withstanding numerous personnel changes -- and one extended hiatus -- as they stayed in the studio and on the road, maintaining a cult following while their classic catalog, particularly "Africa," earned new generations of listeners.
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Prior to their formation in 1976, most of the members of Toto were already Los Angeles music biz insiders. A couple were even born into the business. David Paich was the son of celebrated arranger Marty Paich, who worked on Ray Charles' landmark 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. Jeff Porcaro's dad drummed on several Lalo Schifrin scores, and played in sessions with Nancy Sinatra and the Monkees. David Paich and Jeff Porcaro met while attending Van Nuys' Grant High School, and while they were students, they played together in a band called Rural Still Life. After graduation, Paich and Porcaro became session musicians, both playing on records by Steely Dan, Cher, and Seals & Crofts, among many others. Paich wound up co-composing over half of Boz Scaggs' 1976 groundbreaking smash Silk Degrees, including the hits "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle," which turned the keyboardist into a hot commodity among record labels. He and Porcaro, who also played on Silk Degrees, decided to form Toto, recruiting bassist David Hungate from Scaggs' band, along with Jeff's keyboardist brother Steve and guitarist Steve Lukather, who also had a history with Boz Scaggs. The final addition was singer Bobby Kimball, and Toto signed to Columbia in 1976.
Toto
Released in October of 1978, Toto's eponymous debut swiftly became a hit, with its lead single, "Hold the Line," climbing to number five on Billboard's Hot 100. Toto also made its way into the Top Ten, peaking at nine; it was certified gold by the end of 1978 and platinum in January. In 1979, Toto were nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, which they lost to the disco outfit A Taste of Honey, and Producer of the Year, which they took home. Hydra quickly followed in October 1979, but it stalled out on the charts at 37, with its hit single "99" going no further than 26 on the charts; Hydra still was certified gold in March 1980. The harder-edged Turn Back appeared in 1981 but it stiffed, peaking at 41 on the Top 200 and failing to generate a hit single.
Thriller
Toto's fourth album was positioned as make-or-break record for the band and 1982's Toto IV did indeed make the band. Deliberately constructed as an immaculately produced mainstream pop record, Toto IV turned into the blockbuster it was designed to be, peaking at four on the Billboard charts, earning three platinum certifications (two arriving within its chart run, the latter coming in 1991), and winning a whopping five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. The song-based awards were awarded to "Rosanna," the album's first single, which went to number two on Billboard, but the record's second single, "Africa," was a bigger hit, reaching number one in early 1983. One final single, "I Won't Hold You Back," reached number ten in 1983, right around the time "Human Nature" -- a Michael Jackson single co-written with Steve Porcaro -- was on the charts. "Human Nature" was pulled from Thriller, the 1982 blockbuster from Michael Jackson that featured both Porcaro brothers, Steve Lukather, and David Paich, meaning Toto were once again on the charts both as a band and as session musicians.
Dune [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]
Although Toto were at the peak of their fame, there was trouble brewing behind the scenes. David Hungate left the band after the release of Toto IV, relocating to Nashville so he could play and produce sessions in the Music City; he was replaced by Michael Porcaro, Jeff and Steve's brother. Bobby Kimball was fired from the band in 1984 in the wake of the dismissal of drug charges from 1981 that he spent the majority of 1983 defending. Toto regrouped by composing and recording the score to David Lynch's adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic Dune, and by the time the soundtrack hit the shelves in December 1984, the band delivered Isolation. Recorded with new singer Fergie Frederiksen, who previously sang with Trillion and Le Roux, the arena rock-leaning Isolation didn't appeal to as wide an audience as Toto IV. It peaked at 42 on the Billboard Top 200, going gold in February 1985 with its first single, "Stranger in Town," reaching 30. Following the conclusion of the Isolation tour, Frederiksen was fired from the band.
Fahrenheit
Hiring Joseph Williams as their lead singer, Toto quickly wrote and recorded Fahrenheit, which echoed the pop sounds of Toto IV but still found space for a cameo by Miles Davis. Released in August 1986, the album reached 40 on the Top 200 while generating a number 11 hit in the form of "I'll Be Over You," which featured Michael McDonald on backing vocals. Steve Porcaro parted ways with Toto at the end of the Fahrenheit supporting tour. He showed up on some dates on the tour for 1988's The Seventh One, which became their last album to feature a Top 40 single in the form of "Pamela," which peaked at 22.
Past to Present 1977-1990
Once the Seventh One album cycle was completed, Toto entered a period of turmoil. Joseph Williams left the band and was replaced by Jean-Michel Byron, but his time with Toto was brief: he recorded new songs for the 1990 compilation Past to Present 1977-1990 before being fired after its supporting tour. Steve Lukather took the lead vocal spot for Kingdom of Desire, which appeared in Europe in 1992 and America in 1993. Before Kingdom of Desire had its initial release, Jeff Porcaro died of a heart attack while gardening at home on August 5, 1992. Toto replaced their founding member with Simon Phillips, who had previously played with Lukather on a tour with Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana in 1986. This new version of the band was showcased on the 1993 live album Absolutely Live, which was recorded two months after Jeff Porcaro's death. The new lineup made its first studio album, Tambu, in 1996.
Mindfields
Toto celebrated their 20th anniversary in 1998 with the release of Toto XX, a collection of rarities, outtakes, and demos. Bobby Kimball, the band's original lead singer, rejoined Toto in 1998 and the group released Mindfields in March 1999, supporting it with a tour that was dubbed as a reunion; the tour was captured on the 1999 album Livefields. Through the Looking Glass, a collection of covers, appeared in 2002, followed by a tour celebrating the band's 25th anniversary. The tour was documented on the 2003 set Live in Amsterdam.
Falling in Between
Over the next few years, Toto experienced some upheavals in their lineup as David Paich sat out several concerts between 2003 and 2005. Greg Phillinganes was hired as his substitute and, by 2005, he became the band's full-time touring keyboardist, with Paich remaining a member of Toto in the studio. Falling in Between, the group's first collection of original material since Mindfields, appeared in 2006. On its supporting tour, bassist Mike Porcaro sat out the 2007 dates; Leland Sklar took his place and appears on the 2007 live set Falling in Between Live. On June 5, 2008, Steve Lukather announced on his website that "there is no more Toto," but instead of breaking up for good, the band entered a two-year hiatus. In February 2010, the group reunited for concerts to benefit Mike Porcaro, who had recently been diagnosed with ALS. Nathan East took Mike's place and Joseph Williams came back aboard as lead singer. The 2010 tour was a success, leading to subsequent tours in 2011 and 2012. A 35th Anniversary tour followed in 2013, with Simon Phillips leaving the band in January 2014; he was replaced by Keith Carlock, who previously played with Steely Dan, John Mayer, and Sting. Nathan East left not long afterward, replaced by original bassist David Hungate.
Toto XIV
Toto XIV, which featured Hungate on some tracks and Paich and all cuts, appeared in March 2015. Just prior to its release, Mike Porcaro died from complications from ALS. Toto toured through 2015, playing several co-headlining dates with Yes. By that time Carlock had left the band; his replacement was Shannon Forrest. Toto also rounded out their touring lineup in 2015 with percussionist Lenny Castro, who'd played with the band in the '80s. Soon, Hungate left the band again, replaced by Leland Sklar, whose tenure was brief; he was replaced by Shem von Schroeck in 2017.
40 Trips Around the Sun
Toto planned 2018 as a 40-year Anniversary celebration, releasing the compilation 40 Trips Around the Sun in commemoration of their founding and planning a supporting tour. That year, the band experienced a spike in popularity thanks to a resurgence of popularity for their 1982 number one hit "Africa." Younger listeners turned it into a viral sensation on the Internet, and that popularity crossed over into the mainstream when Weezer covered "Africa" after a 14-year-old fan urged the band to do so on Twitter. Weezer's "Africa" became a hit, reaching number one on Billboard's alternative rock chart and 54 on the Top 100, and Toto returned the favor by recording a version of Weezer's "Hash Pipe."
Similar To
Daryl Hall & John Oates
Kenny Loggins
Air Supply
Boston
Boz Scaggs
Chicago
Christopher Cross
Night Ranger
REO Speedwagon
Saga
Steve Perry
The Tubes
Asia
Bruce Hornsby
Chris de Burgh
Electric Light Orchestra
Foreigner
Gino Vannelli
Journey
Kansas
Peter Cetera
Rick Springfield
Steve Winwood
Styx
Survivor
The Doobie Brothers
Yes
Far Corporation
Mr. Mister
Steve Hackett
The Moody Blues
Jon Butcher
Los Lobotomys
Mecca
West Coast All-Stars
Influenced By
Bee Gees
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Chicago
Elton John
Herbie Hancock
Jackson Browne
Loggins & Messina
Orleans
Steely Dan
Steve Miller
The Beach Boys
The Beatles
The Doobie Brothers
Yes
Followed By
Craaft
Cutting Crew
Franke & the Knockouts
Glass Tiger
Linx
Michael W. Smith
Mr. Mister
Night Ranger
Richard Marx
The Midnight
The Outfield
Associated With
Steve Lukather
i-Ten
Collaborated With
Lenny Castro
ANGEL
Origin Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres Glam rock, progressive rock, hard rock
Years active 1975–1981, 1987, 1998–present
Labels Casablanca
Coallier Entertainment
Cleopatra Records
Associated acts BUX, White Sister, Giuffria, House of Lords
Website Official Angel Website
Members Punky Meadows
Frank DiMino
Danny Farrow
Charlie Calv
Steve E. Ojane
Billy Orrico
Past members Mickie Jones
Rudy Sarzo
Fergie Frederiksen
Ricky Phillips
Randy Gregg
Gordon G.G. Gebert
Steve Blaze
Michael T. Ross
Barry Brandt
Gregg Giuffria
Felix Robinson
Angel is an American rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in the mid-1970s by Punky Meadows and Mickie Jones. They were primarily known for their flamboyant glam stage presence and white satin outfits.[1]
History
Angel was discovered by Kiss bass player Gene Simmons performing at a nightclub and was eventually signed to the same label as Kiss, Casablanca.[2]
Angel's image of dressing in all white was a deliberate contrast to Kiss, which wore black. Angel sported an androgynous image and elaborate stage sets. They were slammed by rock critics, and Frank Zappa ridiculed the all-male band’s feminine appearance in the song "Punky's Whips".[3] Angel never achieved mass commercial success but acquired a following as a cult band.[1]
Their first album was the self-titled Angel (1975) and consisted of guitarist Punky Meadows, bassist Mickie Jones, vocalist Frank DiMino, keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, and drummer Barry Brandt.[4] This lineup would hold for the following two albums, Helluva Band (1976) and On Earth as It Is in Heaven (1977), after which Jones was replaced by Felix Robinson.[1]
They made an appearance in the film Foxes (1980) and Frank DiMino sang "Seduce Me Tonight" on the Flashdance (1983) soundtrack.
DiMino and Meadows departed the band in 1981, and the remaining members brought in vocalist Fergie Frederiksen (later of Toto) and guitarist Ricky Phillips (later of The Babys, then Bad English, then Styx), but this lineup dissolved shortly thereafter.
The former members of Angel went on to other things following the release of their live album. Lead vocalist Frank DiMino joined UFO guitarist Paul Raymond in the Paul Raymond Project in which he sang lead vocals. Bassist Felix Robinson played on the debut album of the band White Lion, Fight to Survive (1985/1986).[1] Angel’s keyboardist Gregg Giuffria had modest success as the leader of the band Giuffria during the 1980s as well as with the band House of Lords,[1] who - sans Giuffria - reunited in 2002 and released a new album, The Power and the Myth on Frontiers Records. In 2006, Giuffria appeared as a guest keyboardist on House of Lords' LP World Upside Down, and they released Come to My Kingdom in 2008 without Giuffria.
In the late 1990s, Angel reformed with a new line-up: Frank DiMino, vocals; Barry Brandt, drums; Randy Gregg, bass; Steve Blaze, guitars; and keyboardist Gordon G.G. Gebert. Gebert left the band in 2002 and was replaced with Michael T. Ross on keyboards.[5] The band’s 1999 release In the Beginning also features guest appearances by original guitarist Punky Meadows, as well as Robinson. In 2000 came the release of Angel: The Collection, making it the most extensive Angel greatest hits compilation, including 16 songs.
In 2006, two compilations of career-spanning singles were released. “Better Days” from the White Hot (1977) album was notably replaced with “The Winter Song”. It had only been previously released on a rare 7" single.
Bassist and founding member Mickie Jones (born Donald Eugene Jones on December 17, 1952), later changed to Michael David Jones in 1967, died in San Dimas, California on September 5, 2009, at the age of 56,[6] after a long battle with liver cancer. Jones performed on four Angel albums (Angel, Helluva Band, On Earth as It Is in Heaven and An Anthology). He toured extensively with the band in the United States for several years. Before Angel, he played in the rock group BUX, which included guitarist Punky Meadows (Angel) and singer Ralph Morman (Joe Perry Project, and Savoy Brown). BUX released one album on Capitol Records, We Came to Play in 1976 (recorded in 1973). Both Jones and Meadows were asked to join the New York Dolls but declined. After leaving Angel, he formed the Los Angeles band EMPIRE and was the lead singer. Empire included drummer Steve Riley (L.A. Guns). Over the years, he became interested in film production and would later work in the film industry.
Singer Frank DiMino now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada and plays in classic rock tribute bands. Recently, he appeared on the Sin City Sinners Christmas album, singing lead vocals on the holiday classic "Winter Wonderland". In 2015 he released his solo album "Old Habits Die Hard", with Punky guesting on the song 'Never Again'.
Punky Meadows issued his first-ever solo album in 2016, Fallen Angel. Felix Robinson plays bass on the album. The deluxe edition had two bonus songs, one of which, 'Lost and Lonely', had Frank Dimino on vocals. Later Angel members Danny Farrow and Charlie Calv participate on this album as well.
In 2018, Meadows and Dimino toured together under the moniker 'Punky Meadows and Frank Dimino of Angel' performing a set of classic Angel songs and solo cuts. They are backed by a band featuring Danny Farrow on rhythm guitar, Charlie Calv on keyboards, Steve Ojane on bass and Billy Orrico on drums.
In 2019,with the same lineup the band reformed back to the name "Angel" returning to wearing all white and released a new album "Risen" which had rave reviews and charted on multiple Billboard charting positions.
Logo
Angel's logo is ambigrammatic; it reads the same when turned upside-down as when viewed normally.[1]
Members
Original members
Barry Brandt - drums, percussion (1975-1981, 1987, 1999–2008)
Frank DiMino - lead vocals (1975-1981, 1987, 1999–2008, 2018-present)
Gregg Giuffria - keyboards (1975-1981)
Punky Meadows - guitars (1975-1981, 2018–present)
Mickie Jones - bass (1975-1977; died 2009)
Other members
Felix Robinson - bass (1977-1981)
effort to continue in 1981
Dennis Frederiksen - lead vocals (1981) (died 2014)
Ricky Phillips - guitars (1981)
Rudy Sarzo - bass (1981)
recordings for 'In The Beginning'
Richard Marcello - guitars (1999)
Leo Borrero - bass (1999)
Touring entity 1999 to 2008
Gordon G.G. Gebert - keyboards (1999-2002)
Randy Gregg - bass (1999-2008)
Steve Blaze - guitars (2000-2008)
Michael T. Ross - keyboards (2002-2008)
Joey Anderson - drums, percussion (2008)
Keith Robert - guitars (2008)
Current members
Danny Farrow - rhythm guitars (2018–present)
Charlie Calv - keyboards (2018–present)
Steve Ojane - bass (2018–present)
Billy Orrico - drums (2018–present)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
Year Album US [7]
1975 Angel 156
1976 Helluva Band 155
1977 On Earth as It Is in Heaven 76
1978 White Hot 55
1979 Sinful 159
1999 In the Beginning —
2019 Risen —
Live albums
Year Album US [8]
1980 Live Without a Net 149
Compilation albums
Foxes (soundtrack) (two songs: "20th Century Foxes" and "Virginia") (1980)
Can You Feel It (1989)
An Anthology (1992)
A Rock and Roll Christmas II (1998)
Angel: The Collection (2000)
Angel: The Singles Collection Volume 1 (album) (2006)
Angel: The Singles Collection Volume 2 (album) (2006)
Box set
Angel: The Casablanca years (2018)
Bootlegs
Blowing Great Guns (1978)
White Heroes (1978)
Whips (1981)
Troubleshooter (1981)
Should've Known Better (1981)
Singles
US singles, except where noted.
Employing a dazzling mix of glam rock, hard rock, and progressive rock, Angel's outrageous, white-satin-heavy image and equally over-the-top stage shows, made them one of the more colorful arena rock bands of the mid-'70s and early '80s. Discovered by Kiss bass player Gene Simmons, the group issued their eponymous debut album in 1975, which hewed closer to prog rock than the glam pop that would inform future endeavors like On Earth as It Is in Heaven (1977) and Sinful (1979). The group went their separate ways in 1981, but re-formed in the late '90s with a new lineup, and released two studio albums (1999's In the Beginning and 2019's Risen) and numerous compilations.
Helluva Band
Formed in Washington, D.C., the group's self-titled 1975 debut was recorded for the flamboyant Casablanca Records label -- home to Kiss -- with a line-up comprising Frank DiMino (vocals), Punky Meadows (guitar, ex-BUX), Gregg Giuffria (keyboards), Mickie Jones (bass, ex-BUX), and Barry Brandt (drums). A heady slab of heavy pomp rock with lengthy songs swathed in Giuffria's atmospheric keyboards and featuring the longtime stage favorite "Tower," it was followed in 1976 by Helluva Band, which continued in a similar vein, with the group's famous white satin stage clothing making its debut on the album sleeve. On Earth as It Is in Heaven saw a distinct change in musical direction, as the band adopted a a more pop/rock-oriented sound, and introduced a clever logo that read identically when upside down.
White Hot
1978's White Hot, with Felix Robinson replacing Jones, was helped by Eddie Leonetti's sympathetic production, and produced minor U.S. hits in "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" and "The Winter Song." Leonetti subsequently produced Sinful and the in-concert set Live Without a Net. Angel's record sales never quite reflected their popularity as a live act, and a legal dispute with PolyGram prompted the band's breakup in 1981. Giuffria attempted to revive the band in 1984, but the abortive reunion led to the formation of the more successful House of Lords. Robinson, meanwhile, appeared in an early White Lion line-up and played with 707. Brandt and DiMino re-formed Angel in the late '90s to record In the Beginning, with the help of guitarist and songwriter Richard Marcello. They staged an Angel reunion of sorts by persuading former colleagues Robinson and Meadows to play on the track "Set Me Free."
Fallen Angel
The group performed off and on during the early 2000s and issued a handful of compilation albums. Bassist and founding member Mickie Jones passed away in 2009 after battling liver cancer. Punky Meadows released a solo LP, Fallen Angel, in 2016, and in 2018, Meadows and DiMino toured under the name Frank DiMino & Punky Meadows of Angel. The band officially re-formed the following year with Meadows and DiMino joined by Danny Farrow, Steve E. Ojane, Billy Orrico, and Charlie Calv. The newly reactivated Angel released their seventh studio effort, Risen, later that October.
Similar To
Legs Diamond
Ace Frehley
Michael Schenker Group
The Babys
Triumph
UFO
Bad Company
Judas Priest
Kix
Montrose
Moxy
Pat Travers
Pat Travers Band
Sean McNabb
Status Quo
The Rats
Thin Lizzy
Van Halen
Paul Stanley
Faster Pussycat
Head East
New England
Starz
Waysted
Influenced By
Kiss
Associated With
House of Lords
Mickey Jones
LE ROUX
Also known as
Jeff Pollard Band
Louisiana's LeRoux
The Levee Band
Origin Louisiana, U.S.
Genres Southern rock, Pop rock
Years active 1978-1984, 1985-present
Labels Capitol, RCA
Associated acts Network, Toto
Website Official website
Members Joey Decker
Rod Roddy
Jim Odom
Nelson Blanchard
Tony Haselden
Mark Duthu
Randy Carpenter
Jeff McCarty
Past members Terry Brock
Bobby Campo
Leon Medica
David Peters
Jeff Pollard
Fergie Frederiksen
Randy Knapps
Steve Brewster
Courtney Westbrook
Keith Landry
Boo Pourciau
LeRoux (also known as Louisiana's LeRoux) is a band founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA that saw its heyday from 1978 to 1984. Their best-known songs were "Take a Ride On a Riverboat" with its 4-part a capella intro, the regional smash "New Orleans Ladies", "Nobody Said It Was Easy (Lookin' For the Lights)" (their highest charting single), "Addicted", and "Carrie's Gone". The band continues to perform live throughout the U.S., mostly at fairs and festivals in the Louisiana area.[1][2]
History
1977–1984: Rise to Fame
In 1977 several former members of a group called the Levee Band, who had been playing as studio players in the Bayou located Studio in the Country and as backup for local artists like Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Clifton Chenier, signed a deal with Capitol Records as The Jeff Pollard Band. The band had just returned from touring the United States and Africa with Brown through an arrangement with the US State Department. Leon Medica, the band's producer and bassist, had presented a demo tape to Paul Tannen at Screen Gems-EMI while doing a session in Nashville and making trips to Colorado to contribute bass parts to a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album at William McEuen's Aspen Recording Society studios. McEuen, Tannen and Attorney John Frankenheimer helped Medica secure the contract with Capitol.
By early 1978, they had changed their name to Louisiana's LeRoux, which refers to roux, a Cajun gravy base used to make gumbo. The band was originally composed of Jeff Pollard (vocals, guitar), David Peters (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Leon Medica (bass, backing vocals), Tony Haselden (vocals, guitar), Rod Roddy (vocals, keyboards, synthesizers) and Bobby Campo (horns, percussion, violin, backing vocals). All of the songs on their self-titled 1978 debut album were sung and written by Pollard, except "New Orleans Ladies", which was written by Hoyt Garrick with a contribution by Medica. It reached #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1978. Two more albums followed (Keep the Fire Burnin in June 1979 and Up in June 1980), but after neither was able to expand the band's fan base, they were dropped by Capitol.
During the height of their popularity, LeRoux performed on Solid Gold, The Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, the late-night television music shows that were popular at that time, and appeared with many of the greatest bands of classic rock, including The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, Journey, Kansas, Heart, The Doobie Brothers, Charlie Daniels Band, Foreigner, Marshall Tucker Band, Outlaws, ZZ Top and many more.
Starting with the Jai Winding-produced Up, they moved away from their more funky R&B sound towards a more late 70s/early 80s Album-oriented rock style and dropped "Louisiana's" from their name, becoming simply "LeRoux".
In 1981 they signed with RCA and issued their fourth LP, Last Safe Place (January 1982), which became their highest-charting album. The album spawned three charting Billboard singles in 1982: "Addicted" (#8 Mainstream Rock), "Nobody Said It Was Easy (Lookin' For the Lights)" (#18 Hot 100) and "Last Safe Place on Earth" (#77 Hot 100).
Other changes were in store as Campo and Pollard both quit later that year, with the former returning to school to complete his master's degree in music and the latter renouncing rock music to enter the Baptist Christian ministry, where he remains today. Former Trillion singer Fergie Frederiksen and guitarist Jim Odom (a local native, who had just attended Berklee College of Music) came on board in the summer of 1982, taking over for Pollard on the fifth album, So Fired Up (which was released in February 1983). The album contained the minor-charting "Carrie's Gone" (#79 Hot 100), which Odom and Frederiksen had written after Frederiksen's breakup with actress Carrie Hamilton, Carol Burnett's daughter. The music video for the album's second single "Lifeline" also received MTV rotation, and was covered by Bobby and the Midnites and Uriah Heep. "Wait One Minute", another song from this album, was widely aired and favored by fans (Some young people know the band mainly for this beautiful ballad).
It wasn't enough to keep them from being dropped by RCA, however, and the band called it quits by 1984. Frederiksen, who had already been working with another project called Abandon Shame, then stepped in to replace (former Levee Band member) Bobby Kimball in the band Toto.[3][4]
1985-present: later years
In March 1985 Leon Medica and Tony Haselden were part of a USO organized traveling rock outfit that entertained US military troops in Europe, called 1st Airborne Division Rock and Roll.
Later in 1985, most of the band (sans Pollard & Frederiksen) got back together to do annual concerts in and around New Orleans with new singer Randy Knapps. Peters and Odom were also part of the group Network, who recorded the song "Back in America" for the movie European Vacation that came out that same year.
Medica and Knapps were part of another edition of 1st Airborne Division Rock and Roll that went to the Indian Ocean and Europe in September through October 1986.
After releasing a greatest hits compilation entitled Bayou Degradable: The Best of Louisiana's LeRoux in July 1996, the band decided to play more live shows in the southern U.S. and along the Gulf Coast and have been doing so ever since.
By 1997, new members Kenneth J. "Boo" Pourciau (drums, backing vocals), Nelson Blanchard (keyboards, backing vocals) and Steve Brewster (percussion) came in to sub for Peters, Roddy and Campo, whenever the increased tour schedule conflicted with their other duties. Shortly thereafter, Campo left the band again and Mark Duthu replaced Brewster circa 1999.
In 2000 the newer members appeared alongside Knapps, Haselden, Medica, Peters, Odom and Roddy on a new release, Ain't Nothing But a Gris Gris. The CD, which was a return to the funkier sound of the band's first two albums, featured ten tracks – "all written or co-written by members of LeRoux", according to the back cover. The CD was produced by Medica with Odom credited as an Associate Producer.
Drummer "Boo" Pourciau died on April 19, 2003 at age 64.
Knapps left the group at the end of 2005 and Courtney Westbrook was lead singer in 2006 before Terry Brock (formerly of Network) took over in 2007.
After the group's heyday, guitarist Tony Haselden became a Nashville songwriter in the late '80s and penned the country hits "It Ain't Nothin'" for the late Keith Whitley, "That's My Story" for Collin Raye, "Mama Knows" for the group Shenandoah and many others. Bassist and producer Leon Medica resides in Nashville and is in high demand as a studio musician and songwriter.
Members of LeRoux backed up Tab Benoit on his Brother to the Blues and Power of the Ponchartrain CDs, recorded a live DVD and CD in Nashville with Tab in early May 2007 and toured nationwide with him in 2007 and 2008.
On October 10, 2009 during their performance at Tab Benoit's "Voice of the Wetlands" Festival in Houma, Louisiana, LeRoux was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame as their 50th inductee.
In 2010 Terry Brock was replaced as lead singer by Keith Landry and David Peters was replaced by new drummer Randy Carpenter.
LeRoux went back into Dockside Studio in May 2011 to record basic tracks for an album slated for release in 2012. This project, which had been started back in 2008 and included such diverse vocalists and musicians as Bobby Kimball, Steve Cropper, Jimmy Hall and Sonny Landreth, was never released since the group felt the tracks "lacked chemistry."
At the end 2014, Leon Medica retired from live performing. His place onstage in LeRoux has been assumed by new bassist Joey Decker.
In early 2016, Terry Brock returned as the band's lead singer for another two years.
In March 2018, after Brock once again departed, Jeff McCarty was announced as LeRoux's new lead singer.
In the spring of 2019, guitarist Haseldon was sidelined due to illness but soon returned to the stage.
Right around the same time, the group began work on a new album with producer Jeff Glixman. This album, One of Those Days, was released in June 2020.
Personnel
Members
Current members
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars (1978–1984, 1985–present)
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers (1978–1984, 1985–present)
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals (1982–1984, 1985–present)
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals (1997–present)
Mark Duthu – percussion (1999–present)
Randy Carpenter – drums (2010–present)
Jeff McCarty – vocals (2018–present)
Joey Decker – bass, backing vocals (2014–present)
Former members
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals (1978–1984, 1985–2014)
David Peters – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–1984, 1985–2010)
Bobby Campo – horns, percussion, violin, backing vocals (1978–1982, 1985–1997)
Boo Pourciau – drums, backing vocals (1997–2003)
Jeff Pollard – vocals, guitars (1978–1982)
Fergie Frederiksen – vocals (1982–1984; died 2014)
Randy Knapps – vocals (1985–2005)
Steve Brewster - percussion (1997–1999)
Courtney Westbrook – vocals (2006–2007)
Terry Brock – vocals (2007–2010, 2016-2018)
Keith Landry – vocals (2010–2016)
Lineups
1978–1982 1982–1984 1984–1985 1985–1997
Bobby Campo – horns, percussion, violin, backing vocals
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Jeff Pollard – vocals, guitars
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Fergie Frederiksen – vocals
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Disbanded
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Randy Knapps – vocals
1997 1997–1999 1999–2005 2006–2007
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Bobby Campo – horns, percussion, violin, backing vocals
Randy Knapps – vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Steve Brewster – percussion
Boo Pourciau – drums, backing vocals
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Randy Knapps – vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Boo Pourciau – drums, backing vocals
Steve Brewster – percussion
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Randy Knapps – vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Boo Pourciau – drums, backing vocals (died in 2003)
Mark Duthu – percussion
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Mark Duthu – percussion
Courtney Westbrook – vocals
2007–2010 2010–2014 2014–2016 2016–2018
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
David Peters – drums, percussion
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Mark Duthu – percussion
Terry Brock – vocals
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Leon Medica – bass, backing vocals
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Mark Duthu – percussion
Randy Carpenter – drums
Keith Landry – vocals
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Mark Duthu – percussion
Randy Carpenter – drums
Keith Landry – vocals
Joey Decker - bass, backing vocals
Tony Haselden – vocals, guitars
Rod Roddy – vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
Jim Odom – guitars, backing vocals
Nelson Blanchard – keyboards, backing vocals
Mark Duthu – percussion
Randy Carpenter – drums
Terry Brock – vocals (replaced by Jeff McCarty in 2018)
Joey Decker – bass, backing vocals
Named for a creole sauce, this unit came together working as an in-house rhythm section at Studio in the County, a major recording hub in Bogalusa, LA. Staff producer Leon Medica picked up the bass, Rod Roddy took the keys, Bobby Campo tooted the flute and horn, David Peters manned the drums, and Jeff Pollard stepped out in front with his guitar. The crew worked steadily behind local legends like Clifton Chenier and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Soon the quintet toured as the Jeff Pollard Band. Inking a contract with Capitol in 1977, the group became Louisiana's Le Roux, and guitarist Tony Haselden came aboard for the release of a self-titled work in early 1978. "New Orleans Ladies" got some attention and led to Keep the Fire Burnin' (a title copped by REO?) and the Jai Winding-produced UP (inspired by Russ Meyer?). The boys toured steadily and can be heard on the Charlie Daniels wax Volunteer Jam VI. Louisiana's Le Roux also shone on the Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. In 1981, Le Roux truncated it's moniker and signed with RCA. Label debut Last Safe Place featured polished album rock and clawed at some limited airtime. "Addicted" garnered MTV showings and the band performed on Solid Gold. Then Pollard and Campo jumped ship (Pollard starting a Christian ministry), making way for young fellow Baton Rouge native Jim Odom on lead guitar. Odom attended Berklee on a Down Beat scholarship, and subsequently formed Asia (not the supergroup, who consulted with Odom prior to taking the name to great heights) before joining Le Roux. Rock star Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen left Chicago pomp-band Trillion to sing lead on So Fired Up (Minor hit "Carrie's Gone" details Frederiksen's liaison with Carol Burnett's daughter). Eschewing all R&B roots and considered a classic by many AOR elitists, So Fired Up did not prevent RCA from dumping Le Roux. Frederiksen immediately moved on to Toto. Medica and Haselden then ventured into songwriting. Various members of Le Roux reformed in the '90s behind a decent collection called Bayou Degradable.
Similar To
Average White Band
Firefall
Kenny Loggins
Michael Stanley
REO Speedwagon
Wild Cherry
Dewey Balfa
Queen Ida
Ricky Phillips
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Ricky Phillips
Ricky Phillips performing with Styx on July 2, 2010 at Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska
Ricky Phillips performing with Styx on July 2, 2010 at Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska
Background information
Birth name Ricky Lynn Phillips
Born October 7, 1952 (age 68)
Mount Pleasant, Iowa, United States
Genres Hard rock, progressive rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Vocals, bass guitar, guitar
Years active 1970–present
Associated acts Styx, Nasty Habit, The Babys, Bad English, Coverdale • Page, Sammy Hagar/Neal Schon/Ricky Phillips/Denny Carmassi
Website rickyphillips.com
RICKY PHILLIPS
Ricky Lynn Phillips (born October 7, 1952) is an American bass guitarist and a member of the rock band Styx since 2003.[1] He has also played in Nasty Habit, as a member of The Babys and Bad English, and with Coverdale-Page and Ted Nugent.
Phillips and his former Bad English bandmate Neal Schon also played with former Montrose members Sammy Hagar and Denny Carmassi on a live version of the Montrose song "Rock Candy".
Discography
With The Babys
Union Jacks
On The Edge
With Bad English
Bad English
Backlash
With Styx
Big Bang Theory
One with Everything: Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra
The Mission
With Ronnie Montrose
10x10 - Producer, Bass, Hammond organ, Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitar
2020 Anthology 2 The Babys Composer
2019 Silver Dreams: Complete Albums 1975-1980 The Babys Bass, Composer
2017 The Mission Styx Guitar (Bass), Group Member
2017 10x10 Ronnie Montrose Featured Artist, Engineer, Arranger, Mixing, Editing, Organ (Hammond), Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Post Production, Soloist, Instrumentation, Mixing Engineer, Overdub Producer, 8-String Bass, Acoustic 6-String Guitar, Bass, Composer, Guitar, Guitar (12 String Electric), Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Harmony, Keyboards, Percussion, Piano, Primary Artist, Sound Effects, String Bass, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Bass, Tambourine, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Wurlitzer Piano
2015 Live at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas Styx Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background)
2013 Beautiful Day [Electric Bird] Vocals
2012 The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live Styx Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background)
2011 Regeneration, Vols. 1-2 Styx Guitar (Bass), Bass Engineer
2009 The Let the Madness Begin: Ozzy Osbourne - The Ultimate Tribute Bass
2008 World's Best Dad Gift Set Vocals, Bass
2008 So Dem Want It Terry Blaine Vocals, Sound Effects, Vocals (Background), Composer
2007 World's Best Dad [2007] Vocals, Bass
2007 Baptism by Fire Frederiksen/Denander / Frederiksen-Denander Producer, Member of Attributed Artist, Vocals, Vocal Producer
2007 Angels Highway Rick Brannon Composer
2007 Alive in America The Babys Bass, Group Member
2006 One with Everything [DVD] The Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland / Styx Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background), Group Member
2006 One with Everything Styx Member of Attributed Artist, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background), Group Member, Composer
2006 Essential Ballads Jeff Scott Soto Guitar, Vocals (Background), Bass, Musician, Composer
2005 Unmerited Ricardo Guitar (Bass)
2005 The Best of the Babys The Babys Member of Attributed Artist, Guitar (Bass)
2005 Rock the Bones, Vol. 3 Composer
2005 Big Bang Theory Styx Member of Attributed Artist, Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background), Bass, Group Member
2004 The Power and the Myth House of Lords Engineer, Additional Personnel, Keyboards
2003 Greatest Hits Bad English Composer
2002 A Tribute to Limp Bizkit: Mutated...Manipulated...Translated Vocal Engineer
2001 Rock Hits of the 90's Composer
2000 Stranger from the Past David Glen Eisley Bass
2000 Bat Head Soup: A Tribute to Ozzy Performer, Primary Artist
1999 Not the Same Old Song and Dance Bass, Performer
1999 Equilibrium Fergie Frederiksen Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Keyboards, 5-string Bass, 8-String Bass, Fretless Bass, Vocals (Background), Bass, Composer
1999 Alive in the 90's, Vol. 4 Composer
1998 Thunderbolt: A Tribute to AC/DC Bass
1997 Dragon Attack: A Tribute to Queen Dragon Attack Bass
1996 Rise Up Bobby Kimball Bass
1993 Coverdale/Page David Coverdale / Coverdale/Page / Jimmy Page Bass
1992 The Essential John Waite Composer
1991 When I See You Smile Bad English Composer
1991 Backlash Bad English Vocals (Background), Bass
1989 Bad English Bad English Vocals, Bass, Group Member, Composer
1986 Little Miss Dangerous Ted Nugent Vocals (Background), Bass
1984 The Terminator [Original Soundtrack] Brad Fiedel Composer
1983 Rock Rolls On Michael Bruce Bass
1982 Peer Pressure Noel & the Red Wedge Vocals (Background), Bass
1981 Anthology The Babys Bass, Composer
1980 Union Jacks The Babys Bass, Composer
1980 On the Edge The Babys Bass
Still Singin' With the Band Ronnie Montrose / Ricky Phillips / Eric Singer Primary Artist, Bass, Composer, Organ (Hammond), Vocals (Background)
Rock Live! [Universal] Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Electric), Mixing, Producer, Vocals
Reigning Frogs Unruly Child Bass, Composer
Just Be Styx Composer
Heavy Traffic Ronnie Montrose / Ricky Phillips / Eric Singer Primary Artist, Bass, Composer, Percussion, Tambourine
Firestorm Ez Livin Composer
Color Blind Ronnie Montrose / Ricky Phillips / Eric Singer Primary Artist, Bass, Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Acoustic), Organ (Hammond), Percussion, Piano, Sound Effects, Tambourine
Collaborated With
John Waite
Jonathan Cain
TRILLION
For every American progressive rock band that found increasing success on commercial radio during the second half of the '70s -- Journey, Styx, Kansas, etc. -- there were additional dozens possessing the same sonic recipe for infectious bombast but which, for some reason or other, just never made the grade, including Trillion. Inspired by the incredible success of Boston's era-defining debut album, Chicago-based musicians Pat Leonard (keyboards) and Bill Wilkins (drums) decided to condense their indulgent progressive rock tendencies into more concise nuggets of melodic rock (not quite AOR yet), qualified by an equal amount of instrumental prowess and great hooks. Initially calling themselves Whisper, the pair duly recruited Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen (vocals), Frank Barbalace (guitar), and Ron Anaman (bass/vocals) from some of the local scene's top bands and, after securing a strong management team, scored a deal with Epic Records and immediately set to work on their eponymous first album with producer Gary Lyons, who was fresh off working on Foreigner's debut. Trillion's debut arrived in stores in 1978, but despite the band's good fortune of obtaining key supporting tour slots with Heart, Aerosmith, and cross-town rivals Styx, it shifted only a modest number of units, and already began stressing intra-band relations. First came the controversial decision to dispose of Frederiksen and replace him with one Thom Griffin for Trillion's sophomore Epic LP Clear Approach; then came the departure of bandleader Patrick Leonard, who would go onto enjoy massive success as a major songwriter and producer in the decades to come, most notably in tandem with pop superstar Madonna. The remaining musicians in Trillion continued to perform diligently but without achieving widespread success, except for original singer Frederiksen, who recorded with Toto in the mid-‘80s amid several hit songwriting co-credits for other bands (Survivor, Le Roux).
Trillion s/t 1978 Trillion's eponymous debut may have vanished rather ignominiously into obscurity not long after its 1978 release, but there was no shortage of faith, money, or high expectation leading into its recording. Not only had the Chicago band recently signed with New York's powerful Epic Records, but they were given the luxury of recording at Colorado's Caribou Ranch (site of Elton John's Caribou album sessions) with the help of respected producer/engineer Gary Lyons, who had recently worked on Queen's A Night at the Opera and Foreigner's first album. God only knows why this apparent marriage made in studio heaven didn't guarantee platinum success for Trillion, but the sonic hallmarks were certainly all there, from the impeccable production sheen and mega-hooks worthy of Boston's landmark debut ("Hold Out," "Hand it to the Wind"), to the extravagant, borderline operatic lunacy of Queen or Styx ("Big Boy," "Child Upon the Earth"). Trillion also had it in them to deliver a compelling, mildly country-ish single candidate for AM radio in "Give Me Your Money, Honey," but some evidence of the band's commercial impotence was exposed by confused cuts like "Never Had it so Good" (imagine Steely Dan tangoing with Head East, of Flat as a Pancake fame!) and "Fancy Action" (a horrid disco-funk fiasco) that touched on innumerable influences but seemingly couldn't decide what they want to be. Not to be overlooked, either, was Trillion's rather tepid lyric writing talents, which, when competing within a genre defined by sharp and powerful messages (silly oftentimes, sure, but powerful nonetheless), left much to be desired. Nevertheless, for fans of accessible progressive rock, Trillion's debut still has much to offer, as proven by the recurring reissues over the years, most recently through England's Rock Candy label.
Ron Anaman 8-String Bass, Bass, Guitar (Bass), Vocals
Frank Barbalace Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals
Paul Bard Cover Art
Phil Bonanno Assistant Engineer
Dennis "Fergie" Fredericksen Bells, Vocals
Gene Greif Design
Patrick Leonard Keyboards, Piano
Gary Lyons Producer
George Marino Engineer
Trillion Primary Artist
Bill Wilkins Drums, Percussion
Trillion Clear Approach 1980
Ron Anaman Bass, Vocals
Frank Barbalace Composer, Guitar, Vocals
John Boylan Producer
Ed Cherney Engineer
Nancy Donald Design
Thom Griffin Composer, Guitar, Vocals
Paul Grupp Engineer
Deni King Engineer
Patrick Leonard Composer, Keyboards, Piano
Yukimaya Okumura Liner Notes
Wally Traugott Engineer
Trillion Primary Artist
Bill Wilkins Drums, Percussion
R. Zukas Photography
MSFUNK
The Smoke Ring (band)
The Smoke Ring was a rock band from Norfolk, Nebraska active in the 1960s. It was formed from two previous regionally popular rock and roll groups, Little Joe & the Ramrods and The Strollers. They had strong regional success but charted only one national hit, 1969's "No, Not Much".
Little Joe & the Ramrods
"Little Joe" Hupp, (guitar, piano) founded this group in the early 1960s, and had some success playing throughout the Midwestern United States. They recorded a single in Oklahoma, "B.B. Limbo" b/w "Yogi Twist", released on Soma Records; a second recording session, in Minneapolis, yielded "Somebody Touched Me", "Hurtin' Inside", "Oop Poo Pa Doo", and "We Belong Together".[1] The Ramrods split up over a disagreement, at which time discussions with members of The Strollers picked up.
The Strollers
The Strollers had originally formed in 1959 and played mostly local events into the early 1960s.[2] Among its members were Little Joe's brother, Bob Hupp. In 1965 the group lost its drummer and decided to merge with Little Joe & the Ramrods into one group, which they would rename The Smoke Ring in 1966.
The Smoke Ring
Their first national release was the single "That Girl Was My Girl" on Mala Records in 1966. Starting in 1967, they expanded their lineup to include more brass instruments, and regularly toured the Midwest, opening for Dickie Lee, Rufus Thomas, The Shangri-Las, Bobby Vee, and The Everly Brothers. Soon after meeting Thomas and Lee, they booked time at Sun Studios and recorded the single "No, Not Much", a cover of a 1950s hit by The Four Lads. The local disc (released on Goldust Records) was picked up for national distribution by Buddah Records, and the tune saw nationwide success, becoming a hit in several major metropolitan areas in the U.S. and climbing to #85 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1969.[3] A second single on Buddah, "Portrait of My Love", missed the charts, and a full-length that had been recorded was shelved; it has yet to see release. The group appeared on American Bandstand in 1969 following the single's success.[4] Later in 1969, Certron Records released their single "High on a Rainbow" b/w "First Reaction", which also did not chart but was a regional success. During this time, the group's wardrobe consisted of tuxedos fitted with bell bottom trousers.[5] They disbanded in 1972; that same year, Little Joe Hupp released a locally produced full-length, Heavy Metal Whale, under the name Smoke Ring, which did not feature any of the band's previous members. The members, Mike Smith, guitar and vocals, Mike McKern, drums and vocals, Ralph Goldhiem, keyboards and vocals, Joe Lalich, bass and vocals, Scotty Hastings, drums and vocals. This song was recorded at Shue records engineered by Garth Fundis in Nashville. The next band, were some of the members (including lead vocalist Tommy Shaw) continued under the name MSFunk in 1973, basing themselves out of Chicago.[6]
The group was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame in 1995, and has occasionally reunited for regional concerts since then.
The Group still plays in concerts, several times at the Divots Concert series as opening acts to Chicago and others (2008) Played at Nebraska Rocks (2009) (2010) http://www.divotsconcertseries.com/2010/july_concerts.html - still based in Norfolk Nebraska with many of the same members. The Band, who Joe Hupp had released "Heavy Metal Whale", featured Garth Fundis (original member) as the recording engineer on the 45, who also played rhythm guitar and tambourine on the recording. This song "Heavy Metal Whale" was recorded in Nashville. All of the following union members: featured Ralph "Ralphie" Goldheim on vocals, organ, piano. Scotty Hastings on vocals, drums and flute. Mike Mckern on vocals, drums and steel drum. Joe Lalich "Jody Ray" on vocals and bass. Mike Smith on vocals and guitar.
MSFunk
Smoke Ring guitarist Keith Goins put together the last version of The Smoke Ring in September 1971. At that time, all he had left was drummer Danny Keller, so he nearly had to start from scratch. Lindy Gallaher (bass player from "Isaac" in Kansas) was the first to arrive, along with Colin Keefe (trumpet and lead vocals) and Mike Ragatz (trombone) from another regionally based horn band, "The Chancellors". Lindy suggested two other members from "Isaac": Robert Orr (keyboards and trombone) and Larry Stewart (trumpet, sax, and flute). The new players moved into Kings Ballroom (owned by band manager Joe Hupp) and put an entire show together in three days. Six months later, the band moved to Memphis, soon hired Tommy Shaw, and not long after that changed their name to MSFunk. MSFunk members later became members of Toto, The Ides of March, Styx, Damn Yankees, Le Roux, and Shaw Blades.
Members
Little Joe & the Ramrods
Little Joe Hupp - guitar, piano
Doug Spiedel
Mike Sund (1944–1985)
Leland Grieves
Dino Reeves
Terry Zobel
Larry Young
John Schrad
Gene Hammerlun
The Strollers
Chuck Asmus - drums, vocals
Pat Wead - guitar, vocals
Jerry Benjamin - guitar
Bob Hupp - bass, vocals
Jim Casey - guitar
The Smoke Ring
Jerry Benjamin - drums, guitar (1966–1967)
Tom Benjamin - drums (1966–67)
Jim Casey - saxophone, guitar ('66-'69)
Dave Dohren - trumpet ('66-'70)
Bob Hupp - guitar ('66-'69)
Little Joe Hupp - keyboards ('66-'68)
Nick Hupp - bass ('66-'70)
John Schrad - saxophone ('66-'68)
Chuck Asmus - drums, vocals ('66-'68)
Roger Volk - drums ('68-'71)
Greg "Bosco" Goodman - keyboards ('69-'71)
Ron McClure - trumpet ('68-'69)
Mike "Pinky" Semrad - trumpet and guitar ('68-'69)
Steve Dahl - vocals
Jon Hischke - saxophone
Garth Fundis - vocals
Keith Goins - guitar, vocals ('70-'72)
Colin Keefe - vocals, trumpet ('71-'72)
Danny Keller -drums ('71-'72)
Tommy Shaw - guitar, vocals ('72)
Lindy Gallaher - bass ('71-'72)
Robert Orr - keyboards, trombone, vocals ('71-'72)
Mike Raggatz - trombone ('71-'72)
Larry Stewart - trumpet, sax ('71-'72)
Transition to MS Funk
Keith Goins - guitar, vocals ('72-'74)
Danny Keller - drums ('72-'73) ('75-'76)
Lindy Gallaher - bass ('72-'76)
Colin Keefe - lead vocals, trumpet ('72-'74)
Robert Orr - keyboards, vocals, trombone ('72-'76)
Larry Stewart - trumpet, flute, sax, vocals ('72-'74)
Chaz Baker - trombone, vocals, electric piano ('72-'75)
Tommy Shaw - guitar, vocals ('72-75)
Fergie Frederiksen - vocals ('75 -'76)
Mike Borch - drums ('73-'75)
Richie Mayer - guitar, vocals ('75-'76)
Bobby Piatt - vocals ('75-'76)
Related: Patrick Leonard Neal Schon Guy Allison Dave Amato Bruce Gowdy Kelly Hansen Michael Monarch Ricky Philips Tim Pierce Steve Porcaro Phil Galdston Rocket Ritchotte Jason Scheff Jeff Scott Soto Ron Wikso Mike Porcaro Jeff Porcaro Steve Lukather David Hungate Tommy Shaw Jerry Hey Lenny Castro Tom Scott Joe Porcaro Greg Ladanyi John Kurlander Tom Knox Bobby Kimball Tom Kelly Gary Grant Chuck Findley Led Zeppelin Marcie Free