<< Specials this month
TOTO: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE – FALLING IN BETWEEN
Believe it or not, about 30 years ago they were school buddies and now some of them are still together in one of greatest bands on this earth. They had some huge hits beginning with ‘Hold The Line’ back in 1979. This song reached the number five spot in the US Billboard and the number fourteen spot in the U.K. Since then the ball begin to role for these guys from California. Since then this band has been constantly touring, releasing many albums, produced more hits and found their way to million homes and ears.
Text: Eddy
TOTO - A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON
Toto was formed in 1978 by Steve & Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, Steve Lukather, David Hungate and Bobby Kimball. Most of them met in high school and at one of the many studio-sessions those guys did in these days. David Paich, Hungate and Jeff Porcaro wrote songs and played on the very well selling album ‘Silk Degrees’ by Boz Scaggs.
When they hit the charts in 1979 with ‘Hold The Line’ the train began to role for these men. There were more hits like ‘Africa’, ‘Rosanna’ and ‘I Won’t Hold You Back’ and in 1982 this band won many Grammy’s for Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Best Instrumental Arrangement With Vocal, Album of the Year, Best Engineered Recording and Best Producer. At that time David Hungate was not too much into touring and the music business overall so he quit with the band. So the third Porcaro, Mike joined the band as the new bass-player. From then on the problems began with the vocalists. Bobby Kimball had to leave the band and was replaced by Fergie Frederiksen. This guy did sing on the ‘Isolation’ album, which went gold, but nevertheless it was not selling so well as the group was used too. Than they replaced Fergie with Joseph Williams who did the vocals on ‘Fahrenheit’ and ‘The Seventh One’. One guy who also decided to move on was one of the founding members Steve Porcaro but he would always stay somewhere in the background if the band would need some input from him. Again the band changed singers in 1990 and Jean-Michel Byron came in to sing on the ‘Past to Present 1977-1990’ album but this guy never got the respect from the fans he thought he would get being in a band like Toto. Why look further, finally Steve Lukather took it up to him to take the microphone job next to his fabulous guitar-playing. Just listen to his strong voice on the next album the band released called ‘Kingdom Of Desire’. Again some dark clouds formed above the heads of the band, they lost their longtime friend, dear colleague and brother Jeff Porcaro. At that particular time the new tour was already booked and arranged so in the honor of the memory of Jeff, Toto decided not to cancel the tour and they went on the road with new drummer Simon Phillips. With him the band recorded ‘Tambu’ which did not sell to good in the USA but made good numbers in Europe and Japan. In 1999 Steve did some interesting emailing with his old band-mate Bobby Kimball (Eddy: Bobby thanks Bill Gates for it) that resulted in the comeback of this awesome vocalist. Together they did a new studio-album called ‘Mindfields’ which can be seen as the last ‘real’ album Toto did up to now. Of course in the time between 1999 and the present they did another live-album and the ‘Through The Looking Glass’ album that contained cover songs from their own heroes. Just listen to the fabulous version of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, an ode from Steve Lukather to George Harrison.
Well, it is now almost 2006 and finally the band has recorded a brand new album called ‘Falling In Between’ which will be released in February 2006 which will be followed by a two year long world tour. I asked Mister Lukather to write a little word for our readers about the new album and this is what he had to say:
"Well, all I can say is that we wanted to surprise people with our new point of view musically. We were allowed to make the record WE wanted to make with no interference from record co. people nor the mad search for a "radio single" and we could stretch and show what we can do to the extreme. Many people think Toto is a "ballad, soft rock band". That was our old rec. co. putting out the singles that were soft. If you have ever seen us live or listened to our album trax you already know there is more to us than Africa and Rosanna. We set out to prove that point on Falling in Between. We spent 10 months doing this record, on and off, and we stretched ourselves to make new fresh sounding music and to freak a few people out without scaring ALL our old fans. hahaha. Most people’s reaction to the title track is "Is that YOU GUYS"? Hahaha That’s the reaction we wanted. There is a lot of diverse music on the new CD, some classic Toto melodic-world music stuff with some really cool guests like Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, L. Shenkar from peter Gabriel’s band, Jimmy Pankow did some "prog-rock horns" for us, Lenny Castro on percussion and our old singer Joseph William came back for a duet with us for old times sake and Steve Porcaro brought back the huge analog synths from way back and the addition of Greg Phillinganes brought a great new energy to the music as well. Toto is back, fresh and ready to hit the world tour for the next 2 years. Hope to see you guys out there!"
Steve Lukather (happy new year to you all!!!)
THE PRESENT
In February Toto began working on their new studio album in the Phantom Studios in Los Angeles, a challenge that would take them about nine months. Well, to keep themselves fresh and motivated the band did not spent all time in the solely working on the new album. For instance, Bobby spent much time in a plane traveling up and down to Europe to do some solo appearances with other musical friends and a benefit show on German television for leukemia. Simon Phillips did some clinics around the Globe and Steve Lukather did not less ten two tours with his band of friends called El Grupo. With bassist Oscar Cartaya, drummer Joey Heredia and keyboardist Steve Weingart Lukather he first did a summer tour with eleven dates playing stuff from Jimi Hendrix, Max Middleton, Michael Landau and more. Not more then four months later this package returned to Europe to do some more shows.
EL GRUPO
In July I saw the first show of Steve and his friends in a German place called Krefeld. This was a very special day for my wife and I because we got the chance to meet the master backstage. I already did some interviews with Luke (that is how he like to be called) and we kept mailing from time to time. So I could not say no to an invitation to see him play at in Krefeld. Together with Oscar Cartaya, Steve Weingard and Joey Heredia he gave one hell of a show away that night. A big surprise for me was when I found out that the show was recorded for a German radio station and two of the songs recorded that night ended up on a limited live-CD from El Grupo. This album was produced in a quantity of one thousand copies and they were exclusive to be sold on Lukather’s second El Grupo tour in the fall of 2005. To make a fair deal for the fans that attended those shows there were only about fifty copies sold at each concert. That way every audience in each city the band played had equal chances to get hold of a copy of that so wanted jewel. I was also lucky to get one of those albums and I will treasure it for the rest of my live. Man, they are already bidding more than 100 Euros on Ebay for that disk but fuck, no one gets mine. This album lies close to my heart, I was there. I bought that CD when I saw El Grupo play in Hardenberg, The Netherlands on their fall tour. For the second time that year my wife and I had the time of our live watching our hero and his friends play live for a packed house. That evening we heard some great music but there was also a lot of fun on stage. They fooled around with each other and with the audience, so there was a lot of laughter. The band even treated the public on an early Christmas song from Steve’s ‘Santamental’ album.
THE EL GRUPO CD
There are just five songs on this album but don’t expect to be finished in fifteen minutes listening to it. Those five tracks take more then 65 minutes together and they are Steve’s way to honor his heroes and friends playing their songs in his own way. El Grupo exists of four excellent musicians who are top-notch magicians on their instruments. The bass-player is Oscar Cartaya, a musical centipede who played with some of the biggest names like Steve Winwood, Robbie Robertson and Jennifer Lopez. People who are into bass sounds should really check this guy out, his playing is true art. On the drums we find Joey Heredia, again a guy who has been around in the musical world. What to think about his co-operation with names like Sheila E. and Stevie Wonder. Another magician is Steve Weingard, he really knows how to operate his ebony & Ivory’s. Then of course we have Luke himself, one of the best guitar-players in the world. All the four of them are playing their asses of with a kind of jazz/rock fusion thing, very different from the stuff that Lukather is doing with Toto but with as much passion and fun. The songs they perform on this disk are ‘Dismemberment’ (written by Lenny Castro & David Garfield), ‘I’m Buzzed’ (written by Michael Landau), ‘Birdland’ (written by J. Zawinul), ‘Little Wing’ (written by Jimi Hendrix) and ‘Led Boots’ (written by Max Middleton). The first two songs were recorded at that Krefeld show I mentioned above and the other tunes are a result from a show at The Baked Potato, one of Steve’s favorite clubs in his hometown Los Angeles.
FALLING IN BETWEEN
The moment I am writing this I am looking with on eye to my computer-screen and with another eye out of my window. There are fireworks everywhere, yes we just passed midnight, 2006 has begun. This will be an important year for Toto, it has been many years ago when the band released their last studio album. They are now all set and done with their new album that will see light in February and carries the name ‘Falling In Between’. Frontiers Records has the honor to be the new partner of Toto in the sales of their records, the relationship with Sony is history and if I hear Steve Lukather talk about Sony, it was not more then a bad dream at the end.
They started working on that album about somewhere in February/March 2005 and they spend about ten months in the studio creating a new masterpiece. When I mailed with Steve in that recording period he told me that the new songs would surprise many fans, he said the music might be slightly different as what we all were used of from Toto. You could say the sound was going more into a progressive direction. Well, a few weeks ago Steve Lukather was a guest in a radio show from the KGON-FM station and as a kind of world exclusive, he brought the title track from the new album with him. I never heard a heavier tune like that from Toto and it sounded very promising. At the time of that broadcast, many fans like me gathered around the table in the Toto-forum on their site and while listening we all gave our opinions and shared that great moment together, typing our fingers of in that forum. The weeks following were exciting too, when would the band finally release sound-clips from all the songs of the new album. On December the 28th that happened and we all could get a taste of all the songs that would be on ‘Falling In Between’. This is the definite song-list on the album:
FALLING IN BETWEEN
Lead Vocal: Bobby Kimball and Greg Phillinganes
Written by: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Simon Phillips, Mike Porcaro, Bobby Kimball, and Greg Phillinganes
Additional Musicians:
Steve Porcaro: Sound Design
Shenkar: Vocals, Violin
Jason Scheff: Additional Background Vocals
Like I said above, this is the most heavy track on the album and ever from Toto. There are riffs that almost could be coming from a band like Metallica, the song is kind of build with some Dream Theater flavors and there are some great Arabic sounding pieces in the song.
DYING ON MY FEET
Lead Vocal: Bobby Kimball
Written by: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Bobby Kimball, Simon Phillips, and Mike Porcaro
Additional Musicians:
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Steve Porcaro: Synths
James Pankow: Trombone
Lee Thornburg: Trumpet
Ray Hermann: Tenor
Of course you have the to hear all the songs completely before you can give all a permanent opinion (I am sure my copy of the promo will be arriving soon) but according from the clips I hear, this song makes a good chance to become my favorite on the album. Singer Kimball really gives all he has and there is a very excellent sounding instrumental middle part coming by.
BOTTOM OF YOUR SOUL
Lead Vocal: Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams
Written by: David Paich, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Bobby Kimball, and Mike Porcaro
Additional Musicians:
Joseph Williams: Vocals
Jason Scheff: Vocals
Shenkar: Vocals
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Having a song that would sound like another Toto hit single was of no concern this time when the band was writing their material but guess what, this song has that potential. I think the people at Sony Records will pull out their hair when they see this song climbing all those charts.
KING OF THE WORLD
Lead Vocal: Bobby Kimball, David Paich, and Steve Lukather
Written by: Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, and Mike Porcaro
Additional Musicians:
Steve Porcaro: Sound Design
Jason Scheff: Vocals
The same story here with this song. It is also sounding very commercial and has something of a hit in it. It is a very catchy tune that will stick to your mind the first time you hear it.
HOOKED
Lead Vocal: Bobby Kimball
Written By: Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro, David Paich, and Bobby Kimball
Additional Musicians:
Ian Anderson: Flute
Steve Porcaro: Synths and Sound Design
Trevor Lukather / James Torme: Backing Vocals
‘Hooked’ will be the song that everybody in the crowd at a live concert will sing along with the band. This is a kind of an arena rocker that will drag everyone along with the very recognizable chorus.
SIMPLE LIFE
Lead Vocals: Steve Lukather
Written by: Steve Lukather
Additional Musicians:
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Steve Lukather: Piano
This song is a real Steve Lukather ballad in the best possible way. This again proofs that Steve is not only an amazing guitar player but he can sing as hell as well. I love his voice and I love this song.
TAINT YOUR WORLD
Lead Vocal: Bobby Kimball
Written By: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Simon Phillips, Bobby Kimball, and Mike Porcaro
Additional Musicians:
Steve Porcaro: Sound Design
This song is again very progressive and kind of fast with a driving rhythm. This is again a song that proofs the strong ness of the voice of Bobby Kimball.
LET IT GO
Lead Vocal: Greg Phillinganes
Written by: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Greg Phillinganes, Simon Phillips, Bobby Kimball, and Mike Porcaro
Additional Musicians:
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Steve Porcaro: Synths
‘Let It Go’ shows how lucky the band must be with their newest member Greg Phillinganes. In this song he gets the chance to show the world that he is a very fine vocalist indeed. This song is very groovy and will get you to dancing.
SPIRITUAL MAN
Lead Vocal: David Paich, Bobby Kimball, and Greg Phillinganes
Written by: David Paich
Additional Musicians:
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Tom Scott: Tenor
Monet: Background Vocals
Another fine ballad with no less than three singers doing their thing. This is a kind of song that would make a band like the Eagles very jealous. I can’t wait to hear the whole thing.
NO END IN SIGHT
Lead Vocal: Steve Lukather and Bobby Kimball
Written by: David Paich, Steve Lukather, Bobby Kimball, Simon Phillips, and Mike Porcaro
Additional Musicians:
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Steve Porcaro: Synths & Sound Design
‘No End In Sight’ is a cool rock song and is a cool co-operation between the voices of Kimball and Lukather.
With their new album Toto will set new standards, they surprised their fans with it and I am very sure that they will win over many any new hearts and they will even surprise those critics that were running over this band the last couple of years. Toto is back and here to stay.
WORLD TOUR
The new album not even will be cold laying in the stores as the band will hit the road for an extensive tour around the globe to promote their new product. They will start of in Europe and these are the first dates that are confirmed:
February
25 London Apollo UK
26 Lille Zenith France
March
1 Helsinki Ice Hall Finland
3 Stockholm Hovet Sweden
4 Oslo Spektrum Norway
6 Middelfart Lillebæltshallerne Denmark
7 Copenhagen Valbyhallen Denmark
9 Rotterdam Ahoy Netherlands
10 Essen Grugahalle Germany
11 Frankfurt Jahrhunderthalle Germany
12 Zürich Hallenstadion Switzerland
14 Bordeaux Patinoire France
15 Toulouse Zenith France
17 Marseille Dome France
18 Milan Mazda Italy
20 Paris Zenith France
22 Bruxelles Forest National Belgium
I will do an exclusive show report for Lords of metal of the Toto show in Essen. They will play in the famous Grugahallen. This show will attracted many Dutch fans from the south of the Netherlands because it even closer for them to go to then the show of Toto in their own country. If you like to see the band and maybe even your Lords of Metal writer & photographer in action, Essen is the place for you. So if you like to get tickets for this show you can find all the information you need on the website of Gommers.de.
INTERVIEWS
When I was planning to do this special all kinds of ideas came to me of pieces I wanted to include in this article. I send an email to singer Bobby asking if he could arrange some kind of statement from each and every band member about the new CD ‘Falling In Between’. He redirected me to one of the band managers at the Fitzgerald Hartley Company. That’s how I came in touch with Anita Heilig, who already is taking care of the band’s affairs for many years. Talking to her I learned that there already was someone working on those liner notes from the band and I would get them as soon as they were ready. When those notes were finished the band decided not to bring these notes to the public yet, they wanted to release them together with the new album. I kind of set my mind to these notes, it would have completed my article. Then I started thinking, what can I do in stead and brainstormed about it with Anita. Then I thought it would be great if I could do another interview with one of the Toto guys but not with Bobby and Steve because I already had ‘done’ them. Anita told me just to pick out one of the others and she would forward my request to that band member. My choice felt on bassist Mike Porcaro, a guy who sometimes seems a bit more to the background as the others. It would be a challenge to learn more about a guy like that were my thoughts so I made up some questions for Mike and Anita forwarded them to him. Then another great idea would be to do a little interview with Anita too. This would give the readers a kind of different look of a band from someone who knows these guys as no others. On Lords we are always talking about the bands and with the musicians, I thought it might interest people to hear some more from someone who manages a band. So please go on reading and hear what Toto bassist Mike Porcaro and one of Toto’s managers had to say about the band, the new record and more. We’ll start with Mike.
INTERVIEW WITH MIKE PORCARO
 Hi Mike, first of all I like to congratulate you and your colleagues with the finishing of the new album ‘Falling In Between’. Last week Luke was on the KGON-FM radio show and he brought the title-track with him to be played as a word premiere on that show. People who know Toto and who are fan of the band and all the other music-fans will be really surprised with the style of this song. Toto was never so heavy and it really has a progressive edge to it. Can we expect the other songs also be in this style or is this title-track some kind of exception?
Thank you for the kind words. We worked hard on this one, though we always manage to have fun in the process. Not everything on the record is in the style of the first track, Falling In Between, but I think the songs fit together nice enough to make a great record.
I am wondering, who does some of those amazing vocal parts in this song next to the one Bobby does?
Well, I don’t know which Bobby vocal you are referring to. We have our newest member, Gregg Philinganes, adding to our vocals. He’s done such a great job on this record and we’re so happy to have him with us. Joseph Williams also added great vocals to this record, as did Jason Scheff and Shenkar.
It took about a year from starting working on ‘Falling In Between’ till it will be released. If you look back at this year in the studio can you share some thoughts with our readers how you relive this time in the studio? Did it go as well as expected or were there days you were thinking ‘I am wondering were this is leading to?’
We were confident from the beginning that this was going to be a good record for us. Of course, as you are writing the songs there are certain ones that you have doubts about…whether this musical idea is working here or that idea there. Everything worked out to our satisfaction in the end and we’re satisfied with the result.
Did you also wrote or co-wrote one or more of the songs from the new album?
Other than a song or two, this album was co-written by the band. These songs started with an idea— a riff or a rhythm, to which one or the other would then add a new section and so on, back and forth between the guys.
When you listen to all the new songs, is there one in particular that you are dying for to let the Toto fans hear, in other words, what is your absolute favourite one on this new album?
Everything is still so fresh, it’s hard to pick one. The album sounds pretty strong. I’d have to say Bottom of Your Soul is the favourite.
Bobby told me that it is Toto Records who is releasing the album (and other companies like Frontiers Records are responsible for the distribution) Are the band-members themselves responsible to lead this company or does the band has other people in charge of this business?
We are taking an active role in all band interests, along with our management at Fitzgerald & Hartley Co.
The new album will be released in different time schedules, if I am correct, first in Japan, then Europe and at last in your own countries. I am really wondering why it is not possible to do the releasing on just one date, worldwide?
The folks at Frontiers Records have to satisfy certain requirements coming from the different territories concerning timing of the release, marketing, etc. and this schedule has been the result. Oh, that it could be otherwise!
For instance for myself, I really cannot wait any second longer to get the new album, so I already pre-ordered in Japan (although I hope the mailmen will co-operate to get me that disk before it is released in Europe) Will there be an extra track on this Japanese pressing and I really like to know why it is so common or what the reason is that Japanese copies always get bonus-tracks?
There will be an extra “bonus” track on the album in Japan. This seems to have become the standard for an album release over there. I think it has something to do with their export market. It gives a reason for people to order their record from Japan, as you have done, rather than buy it from their local market. The bonus track, plus the early release, for whatever reason are a Japanese monopoly.
Of course there will be some extensive touring when ‘Falling In Between’ is released. Words say that this tour will take two years. Still there are only dates in February and March that are already are a fact. Can you already tell some more of where the tour will continue and if there are plans to do some extensive touring in the United States too?
Toto will tour extensively in 2006 and 2007. First comes Europe in February and March with Japan next on the list and then some U.S. dates followed by another trip back to Europe, more U.S. dates, then back to Europe for a third time by years end. Also in this time there will be some other Asian dates and an Australian trip. The dates keep coming in and schedules may alter slightly for logistical reasons.
Are you never experiencing homesickness when you are so long on tour?
We truly enjoy ourselves when we are touring and our days are generally full, however, to be homesick, especially during special dates and anniversaries, is a common malady.
And I am also wondering how your family experiences the fact that you are so long away from home?
With great joy and relief! To have finally gotten rid of me for some time! Seriously, it is difficult for everyone. I’m fortunate that they understand the realities of what I do and appreciate the fact that Toto has such a great audience around the globe.
Okay Mike, enough about new album and what’s to come, I like to take this opportunity to get to know a bit more about Mike Porcaro. I like to start with the question which musicians and bands were your influence to start in music yourself and who taught you to play the bass guitar?
I studied the String Bass with a local studio musician, Morty Corb, in my middle teens for a couple of years. I studied picking technique briefly with Carole Kaye during those same years. Mostly through listening to records and emulating the players I heard.
Is there a particular reason you choose the bass and do you also play other instruments?
I started out playing the drums and studied with Richie Lapore, a drummer who taught with my father at Alexander Lepak’s drum shop in Hartford, Connecticut. I also studied guitar for a year or so with Dick Provost following that period. Then, I chose the string bass at a beginning strings program being offered at the local school during summer vacation. I played in the school orchestra through junior high school and high school and went on to tour and record with various artists upon graduation.
Prior to Toto, did you play in other bands and are there albums that you are on from the time before you joined Toto?
I toured with singer Michael Franks right after I graduated high school. The singing duo Seals and Crofts and Boz Scaggs were two other acts I toured with. Around and in between touring, I played on many records and albums as a session player here in L.A.
When David Hungate left the band was there any auditions for the bass position or was there never any question that you would fill that spot because your brother were already in the band?
No, there weren’t any auditions for the bass position. I remember the band walking into Jeff’s house and asking me to join. I couldn’t imagine why David (Hungate) would split. But then again I could. Hahahaha! I think it was a painless and comfortable decision for them at that time.
I guess that because of Steve and Jeff you already tasted a bit of the life of a famous band but how did it feel when you actually joined the band, was it hard to handle such amazing new kind of life?
Oh yeah, I mean the booze…the broads! People fawning over you… wanting to gobble you up! Seriously, we were too busy playing and doing our thing to be overly aware of such “amazing” lifestyles. We were just going about doing what we do as players and damn glad to have the opportunity and be in the position to do it.
How involved is your brother Steve still in the band and what is doing outside Toto?
One of my favourite things about this album is the involvement of my brother Steve on Falling In Between. He is all over the record, adding his old Toto synth magic to the tracks. He also did an amazing edit on one of the tracks to save a song that might not have made the final cut. Steve scores for TV and Motion Pictures and is keeping himself busy, working out of his studio.
How does it feel when you are walking down the street and people come up to you and ask you: “Hey aren’t you…?”
Overseas, I’ll get that on occasion and it’s always nice when someone cares enough to say hello. It’s nice to know you’re making an impact on someone’s listening habits and that your work is appreciated.
When I look at the Toto website you see guys like Simon doing clinics, Luke is doing solo tours, Bobby makes appearances on television etc. Do you also are doing that kind of stuff or is it only Toto what is getting you on the road?
Toto is all for me, other than the occasional gig in town with friends. I’ve been able to enjoy being around for family for some real time at home, between a very busy Toto schedule. When we are away touring, we are gone for several weeks at a time, so I really value my time at home.
For many musicians the Internet is very important, to make contact with other musicians and stuff. Can you tell me what your opinion is about Internet and what do you think of the problem of people downloading your music without paying for it?
The Internet has given bands the ability to connect with their fans on an unprecedented level. This access to us and other bands is the greatest joy for the devout fan and a boon to the artist looking to stay connected to his/her audience. The true fan will want to buy the record for the artwork and credits and support the band so they don’t go away, understanding that reality. The casual fan or passer-by will download the record for free, however, hopefully they will have dug what they heard enough to come to one of our live shows and give us the support there.
Did you hear the El Grupo live CD from Luke and if you did what is your opinion about the playing of his friend Oscar Cartaya?
Oscar is an excellent player and I know that Luke is enjoying him, both as a band mate and a friend.
You co-wrote a song with J.M. Byron called ‘Can You Hear What I am Saying’ which is so groovy. Is this a song that will ever be played again at a Toto concert? I cannot remember that it was ever played live and if it would, who would sing it now?
We did play that song for a while, during the short time that Byron was with us. I don’t know if we could perform that song now. Byron had a unique style and approach that would be hard to replace on that song.
Do you have other hobbies or interests beside music?
I’m an avid reader, lately of religion and archaeology. But I enjoy plenty of light-weight reading also. I also like to work around our house, doing light carpentry and general home-fix-it things. I’m also a member of the Bahá’í Faith and try to stay active in the Bahá’í community here in Los Angeles.
When I did an interview with Bobby Kimball I did ask him to give a little reaction about his colleagues in the band. I like to do the same with you. How do you see your colleagues as a musician and as a person?
Steve Lukather:
Steve is a musician par excellence! His ability speaks for itself to all who have heard him play. He’s been a close and cherished friend in life and I love him madly! Steve is a caring friend and confidant and I’ve watched him raise two fine children who do him honour. He is a lifelong friend, such as one has too few of.
Bobby Kimball:
Bobby is a perfect band-mate. Giving it 100 percent at all times and doing what it takes, on and off stage. I love his professionalism. Still singing strong, it’s such a pleasure to have him with us where he belongs. I also appreciate his optimism and level headedness..
David Paich:
David is the one I go back the farthest with. We’ve played with each other in bands since I was in junior high school. Such incredible command of the piano and other keyboards…the founder, along with brother Jeffrey of this band and it’s foremost source of inspiration. I owe Dave a lot as a player and a person. He’s my brother.
Simon Phillips:
Simon came into my life following the death of my brother, Jeff. Although those were difficult days for me, Simon was gracious and patient and soon made the band his own through his energy and musicianship. Such a complete musician, I’ve enjoyed every minute of playing with him and having him as a band-mate. Meticulous in all things, whether playing, engineering, producing, or ordering breakfast, Simon is world class and I’m gassed to be in a band with him.
Greg Phillinganes:
Gregory Phillinganes is in my band! My band? I’ve admired this man as a musician for so long…and now to have him as a band-mate…somebody up there must like me! Such an incredible player… then you hear him sing! We’re just getting started, a fresh injection of vitamin “G”! I love his sense of humour and calm spirit. Gregg leads the prayer before the band goes on stage, keeping us focused on the real and getting us ready to do our thing. A new source of force in Toto! And a proud new Papa to boot!
And to end I like some reactions from you to some names and words, whatever first comes to mind.
Toto: Band of Brothers.
Music:A Source of Inspiration.
Bass-guitar: Paul and James.
Love: The thing that makes the world go round.
War: Unhealthy for people and other living things.
Politics:Divisive by nature, a tool of money by nature. But one must have an opinion on how one wants to be governed and how one wants government to proceed.
Money: Lack of and abundance thereof is the source of most misery.
Fame: Fickle and fleeting, but if you have it, there are worse things in life.
Brother Jeff: He was a man making his way through this world, no more, no less.
And last but not least, Mike Porcaro: Same as above.
INTERVIEW WITH ANITA HEILIG
Hi Anita, first of all many thanks that you are willing to have this conversation with me. It’s great for me to have the chance to get a peak behind the scenes of the rock band Toto. Let’s start with the question, who is Anita Heilig and how did you roll into the job you are doing now with the Fitzgerald Hartley Company?
I was a student at UCLA majoring in Motion Picture Television. I decided I needed a new car and should go get a job. I answered an ad in the UCLA Bruin for an office assistant at an Entertainment company. I thought it would be a film company but when I arrived at the interview I realized it was a management firm that represented recording artists. Ironically, most of my friends were musicians but I never thought much about the business side of things. I was intrigued and really wanted the job and I got it. The rest is history.
This company you work for has a great list of clients like Olivia Newton John and Toto just to name a few. What is exactly the job you are doing for these artists in particular for the band Toto, what is your role in the world of Toto?
We do everything that relates to the artist. For Toto in particular, I handle most of their day to day activities helping them in all aspects of their endeavors be it creatively or business wise. I know that sounds quite broad and it is. Managers often have a hard time explaining what it is they do and people often joke that therefore they must do nothing. The reality of it is, you wear many different hats. You are the liaison between the artist and every person they must deal with in the business be it record labels, lawyers, accountants, promoters, the media, fans, publishers, etc. To the artist you are often simultaneously their friend and confidante, sounding board, advisor, cheerleader, protector, representative, voice of reason, mediator, organizer and facilitator. It is not a job for people prone to linear thinking or for those who have an inability to multi-task!
When did you meet this band for the first time and what was your impression of these guys?
I first met the band in 1990 shortly after I started working at The Fitzgerald Hartley Co. I think my first impression of them was that they were all extremely talented but also VERY funny and approachable.
Were you familiar with the music what they made before you had your first meeting with them and what do you think of that style of music?
Yes, I was familiar with their music. When I was a teenager I bought 45's of Rosanna and Africa and I knew they were the band that was responsible for hits like "Lea," "Hold The Line", "I'll Be Over You" and " I Won't Hold You Back". I like their style of rock. I like all kinds of music and Toto is a genre-crossing band. I find that appealing.
You told me you are now official co-manager of the band. Is Martin Cole also manager for the band when they are at home or does he only do the tour-part?
Yes, we have a 3-person team. Mark Hartley is the Big Kahuna as they say. He has managed the band since they began! Martin started out primarily tour managing the band but his role grew into something more all encompassing as the years went on. I started out as Mark's assistant (I still assist him on many of his other clients) and my role also gradually grew over time to where I was dealing more and more directly with the band and taking on an increasing level of responsibility.
You told me the boys in the band first had their thoughts about having a woman in their organization, how did you manage to proof the guys that you were the right person on the spot?
I really don’t know what their thoughts were initially. I don’t know that they necessarily had any feelings about having a woman in their organization but it just so happened that I was the only one around, hahaha. I don’t think I proved anything on the spot. Since you are so close to the artist in a management situation, it is important that there is a strong level of trust and this takes time to develop. Anytime you have a new person, in a new role coming into a tight knit organization, especially one where there is fame and celebrity involved, people will be a bit guarded until that trust is established. It's very natural.
Is it hard for a female to keep yourself standing in this business?
Yes, the music business is still pretty male dominated and I think we are still faced with a "boys club" mentality quite often but you just have to ignore that and stay focused on what needs to be accomplished and forge ahead. If you have a passion for music, a tough skin, and enjoy working with lots of men, you'll do all right in the rock 'n' roll business, hahaha.
Toto is about to release their new album and go on tour after that. Do you already hear the new album and what do you think of it, how would you describe the style and road they have taken now?
Yes, I have heard it and think it is fantastic. Not since Kingdom of Desire have I seen such a collaborative effort. It is truly a band album with everybody coming to the table with their unique contributions. The style is eclectic, as they are. There's a sort of irreverence to it in that I think it was the first time in a long time that they felt unencumbered by "the industry" to tailor the record in any specific way. The artistic freedom they felt to make the music THEY want to make and that their fans can enjoy comes through. The style is not cotton candy. It's serious music that is really quite deep. The thing I find interesting about them is that the music can be quite complicated, almost cerebral, but it somehow always manages to still be very accessible.
My readers would love it if you would give us some thoughts and anecdotes about each and every member of the band. I would like to ask these questions about each individual. How do you see the guys as a musician:
Bobby: Soulful and committed.
Steve: I’ve never seen a more passionate guitarist who makes it look so effortless.
David: He's sort of like the mad professor, he'll spout off these genius ideas off the cuff when you least expect it.
Mike: He's the groovemeister, it's in his genes, just watch him play with his eyes closed.
Simon: Mind boggling, the man seems to have 10 limbs. I try to figure out his impeccable timing and how he does it. Sitting behind the kit and watching always blows my hair back.
Greg: A true entertainer, amazing player and so much fun to watch!
How do you see the guys as a person:
Bobby: Very kind, never in a bad mood, humble and quick to laugh, dedicated, friendly and seems to know people all over the place!
Steve:Crazy, Hilarious, Sensitive, Fun, Loyal, Temperamental, Affectionate, Dedicated.
David: Kind, funny, supportive, almost always late to wherever he goes, hahaha.
Mike: Funny, he truly laughs from the gut and it's contagious, kind of quiet but with a caustic sense of humor, temperamental, has the same sort of inner rhythm to his demeanor as his older brother Jeff did.
Simon: Very kind and polite, funny, particular, intelligent, generous.
Greg: spiritual, affectionate, fun and mellow.
Can you share a funny moment you had with each of them?
It's hard to single out funny moments because there are so many. I always say if they could no longer play music any one of them could have a very prosperous career as a stand-up comedian. They all have a fabulous sense of humor and like to have a good time.
To end I like to learn some more about you, if you would add a reaction to the words and names below I could make an imagination what gets Anita Heilig going…
Music: As essential as air and water
Business: A necessary evil.
Love: What we all crave but rarely understand.
Hobby’s: Music, what else?
Toto: Talented band and great people.
Life Motto: As far as I know, we only live once!
Your biggest dream: Hmm, right now it would probably be to get Bush out of office!! No, seriously, beyond the obvious my dreams are private ones.
2006 will definitely be the year of Toto again and they will surprise friends and enemies with the new direction they have taken. ‘Falling In Between’ will hit the stores somewhere mid-February and then the extended world tour will start. I wish my guys all the best and hope my little special here will give them that bit of extra attention they deserve.
I like to thank the following people who helped me in one way or the other to get this special in this shape. First of all Bobby Kimball who set me up with the right people to get things started, Steve Lukather for his words and for the invitations to come to his shows, Anita Heilig for all the information, the interview and further help. Of course Mike Porcaro for doing the interview, Martin Cole for his input, the rest of the Toto guys just for being in this great band. The German promoter Gommers for putting me on the press-list, Will Minting for his exclusive studio photo, the official Toto-site for all the information, my boss Horst Vonberg for giving some web space to honor my heroes and my wife Nicole for doing the dishes alone when I had to work on this special and everyone I did forget…
http://www.toto99.com
|
Maak home
Bookmark