Steve Lukather is addressing criticisms regarding Toto’s current lineup.
As Toto approaches 50 years as a band, the guitarist remains the last original member. David Paich no longer tours, and singer Joseph Williams joined in 1986. The rest of the band consists of touring members. In a recent appearance on the Rockonteurs podcast, Lukather defended Toto’s current lineup against detractors who claim it lacks authenticity.
“I really want to emphasize this point, because I receive a lot of criticism for it from certain people,” the rocker stated. “I know what we’re doing now is not the original band. I wish it could be. It could be intact and everyone healthy, and we could still be performing. But over the years, we faced some tragic losses. And after that, we persevered.”
Steve Lukather Aims to Preserve Toto’s ‘Classic Music’
As Lukather noted, Toto has experienced several significant lineup changes throughout its history. The most notable change occurred after drummer and co-founder Jeff Porcaro’s sudden death in 1992.
“When Jeff passed, we all wondered, ‘How are we going to move forward?’” Lukather recalled. “Had we not released that album, (1992’s) King Desire, and had sold-out tickets all over Europe with a crew ready to go, we might have considered quitting then. The thought of continuing without Jeff was unimaginable. But we did. We carried on because even if we didn’t, it wouldn’t bring [him] back.”
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“Look, I’m the last man standing from the original [lineup], but not by choice,” the guitarist asserted. “I understand the difference between the old and the new. All I’m trying to do is keep our classic music alive.”
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Gallery Credit: Jeff Giles
