sino nanuod ng TOTO live in manila kanina?

[bubu_1010]

nanuod ako kanina ng TOTO sa araneta coliseum.. badtrip  ang panget ng sound system nila.. nasa upper box B ako, di ko akalain na di maganda ang set up nila kanina, puro ugong lang at ndi mo nga marinig ng malinaw yung kumakanta.. i think yung in-house sounds yung problema hindi yung equipment ng banda. nakaka disapoint lang talaga... mabuti pa yung earth wind and fire ang lupit ng set up.. as in napaka ganda at buong buo..

isa pang bad trip dun.. parang nag jamming session lang yung TOTO.. biruin mo ba naman, ginawang acoustic yung I wont hold you back at i'll be over you isang stanza at isang chorus lang, medley pa  ndi din dumating yung orig keyboardist nila pati bahista wala din..


pero infairness naman ang galing ni SIMON lang hiya kahit ndi maganda yung labas ng tunog ng set nia kita mo na malupit talaga..

lipad 800 ko huhuhu

[drumster]

I was there, and I had a more pleasant experience.  I was at the Patron area, and the sound quality down there was exceptional.  My musician friends were also raving about how great the sound system was.  And like what I said on another thread, Simon's drums sounded huge.

In my opinion, I think Toto prefers to focus more nowadays on their newer materials.  But at least, they still performed many of their classic hits, though in excerpts.  I think this is more of a disappointment for the casual listeners, who happen to be more familiar with their popular hits than their instrumentals and "non-mainstream" songs.  I'm sure true-blue musicians and die-hard fans were the ones who enjoyed and appreciated the concert the most.

FYI...  Toto keyboardist David Paich is already retired from touring, though he's still an official member of the band.  And as said on the concert, bassist Mike Porcaro has the hand injury, which is why he isn't around.  So it's still good that of all bassist who can session for them, they were able to get the great Lee Sklar.

I just finished writing a blog about my Toto concert experience.  Click here --- http://anthonydio.multiply.com/journal/item/139 . 

[insultedgamer]

http://talk.philmusic.com/board/index.php/topic,87384.0.html

[sOnicmArk]

nanuod ako kanina ng TOTO sa araneta coliseum.. badtrip  ang panget ng sound system nila.. nasa upper box B ako, di ko akalain na di maganda ang set up nila kanina, puro ugong lang at ndi mo nga marinig ng malinaw yung kumakanta.. i think yung in-house sounds yung problema hindi yung equipment ng banda. nakaka disapoint lang talaga... mabuti pa yung earth wind and fire ang lupit ng set up.. as in napaka ganda at buong buo..

isa pang bad trip dun.. parang nag jamming session lang yung TOTO.. biruin mo ba naman, ginawang acoustic yung I wont hold you back at i'll be over you isang stanza at isang chorus lang, medley pa  ndi din dumating yung orig keyboardist nila pati bahista wala din..


pero infairness naman ang galing ni SIMON lang hiya kahit ndi maganda yung labas ng tunog ng set nia kita mo na malupit talaga..

lipad 800 ko huhuhu

kala ko tenga ko may diperensiya... pag balik nila manonood ulit ako

[bubu_1010]

kala ko tenga ko din hehehe

actualy sa baba siguro maganda ang sounds pero sa upper box hayyyy

[goff]

Hehehe...I agree.... I sat in the patron area and the sound was fantastic! At least there were side fills to the upper box but sadly paled in comparison to the main front seating area, which I also did monitor btw... Unlike many other Araneta concerts there are not even side fills. Blame the promoter's not being able to give us the best as they have to make ROI too.. It costs getting guys like this out here and now, the cost even goes up because some of the artists want royalties running into the many thousands of $$$ in advance for performing their own songs in addition to their fees and the logistics of moving and housing people and equipment.

Coincidentally, did you know that a Filipino now manages Toto? He is none other than Sonny Abelardo. Sonny is the grandson of Nicanor Abelardo of UP Abelardo Hall fame and his name is really Nicanor Abelardo lll. Anyway Sonny and I go way back from our first band days in a band called The Asteroids. We played parties and military clubs on Guam. We weren't even old enough to drink let alone drive. Nino, Sonny and Bobby's older brother used to pack us all in his VW sedan, including Sonny's drums, all the amps and guitars and drive us around. Nino's US Army pic in the frame in front of all those trophies we won.. Sonny played drums I played guitar. Brother Bobby played a Hofner Beatle bass, my soon to be famous and revered in his own right, brother Ric, sang. Sonny's father Nicanor ll was my music teacher at JFK High School, on Guam, where we all lived for some years. All our parents were also friends and part of the Filipino community on Guam.

Sonny called me from Cebu last Wednesday and freaked the living crap out of me. Haven't heard from him in decades until 2005 and then just the other day. He pala is producing and managing Toto and is Luke's manager on Sonny's new label Ride Records. Sonny has been in production for the last 20 plus years with the likes of Miles Davis, The Crusaders, Al Jarreau. A wealth of great artists under his wing too numerous to mention. Needless to say Sonny got me in to see Toto and waited for me at the South entrance at the Araneta. After a long hug for all the years missed, we had a meet and greet with the band. Yes here is where we play Wayne and Garth's "we're not worthy" with the All Access passes.


I got to play Wayne's World's "We're not worthy...we suck"

From the Falling In Between 2008 Tour


I saw Toto last time they were out at the Folk Arts, Sonny not yet their manager, with David Paich, and although it was good to see some of the original Toto back then, this incarnation of Toto with original Hold the Line belter Bobby Kimball and Luke as the original voices on most of the hits, was extra special with the likes of Simon Phillips on drums, Greg Phillinganes on keyboards from Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life, high voiced rocker Tony Spinner who proudly showed me his Tele knock-off a friend made for him, and legend Leland Sklar who they fondly called "Father Time," on bass.

If you were sitting in the center at about row 7, you could hear the fine mix that their engineer produced, panning Simon's drum rolls in stereo and mixing the whole band to a point I have not heard coming out of the Araneta. Even the echo that is inherent at the Araneta disappeared. You could hear all the instruments and still talk to the person next to you. Magic to say the least. I liked that these great songs were supported by such great session musicians and mixed well, that it was as much for the music as it was for the star gazing...

The harmonies were good from Tony, Greg, Bobby. It was just a concert to remember as far as I'm concerned.  Bobby and Luke hitting those high notes taking turns at lead vocals, giving originality to those hits that rocketed Toto to fame.

Luke was on fire last night singing and playing his ass off, although he was his usual perfectionist self. Who can blame him? He felt he didn't do justice. It's lonely at the top, you know. Luke was his gracious self and after Sonny chewing his ear off about me being his "oldest friend in the world,"  welcomed me with warmth back stage as did Leland, Greg, Simon, Tony and Bobby...Luke added a little comedy to the mix by pulling on Lee's beard in effect pulling open his mouth in time to parts of the song making Lee look like a puppet...You have to understand that after 20 plus years of doing the same songs, anyone would get tired of doing it night after night no matter who they are. Trying to dredge up the energy is not easy. We admire guys like Luke, Bobby, and session greats with them, but we forget they have their demons too facing them every step of the way. The naysayer gods telling them they can't do any better. Yes lonely at the top... I was talking to Leland and they had been on the road for 13 months and everyone was feeling tired. You have to credit these guys though, that they made these songs, became musical giants and still put out all these years, all each to their own genres and respective artists and artistry. Simon smacked those drums giving pulse to those great songs with tone to boot out of a plastic full kit. Greg played like a concert pianist adding depth to Paich's songs and arrangements. Sklar was the epitome of who's who in rock bass with his decades of being on thousands of hit records adding just the right bass parts to support a great song and arrangement. Tony, the youngster in the band giving real fine vocal and guitar support to the already great songs, while Bobby helped bring the original Toto sound and feel along with co-lead vocalist Luke.

The band gave a good performance however missing David Paich's , and the Porcaro brother's presence and influence, namely Jeff, Steve and replacing original Toto bassist David Hungate during Toto IV, Porcaro brother bassist Mike, who had some recent health issues,  needing Sklar to fill in. They were there in spirit through the songs and arrangements.

It was great to hear the songs and see them play. It was like listening to a live album. Luke's also famous guitar tech Bob Bradshaw of Custom Audio was there handing Luke and Tony guitars and making sure things ran smoothly. Toto brought all their gear and just rented FOH speakers and power amps, using their own Soundcraft mixer. The hung arrays were minimal adding to the floor lined subs. Tony's $250 light as a feather, Tele copy sounded cool as he did harmony runs to Luke's solos. All of Luke's Music Man guitars were sounding great with a thick roar, through Bradshaw Custom Audio cabinets, as were the licks he was playing, throwing picks away after just a few runs. He went through Hendrix tributes, using a wah, rubbing his guitar on the mic stand and then throwing the guitar on the stage floor and climbing all over it.. and then to an EVH style licks tribute. interweaving them with his own Lukather signature triplet licks. Simon's Tama drums looked and sounded like a drummer's dream. Leland's fan fret bass and Euphonic Audio mini amp had balls of authority. Greg's 4 in all and Korg boards hung with special made stainless steel stands gave nice piano and synth. Missed him using a real Leslie though on the Hammond parts he played on the Korg. Tony played a small Fender amp and got cool tones out of minimal equipment.

Yes they experimented a bit, doing medleys and impromptu renditions. I liked that Luke experimented and thought it was cool that he trusted some of us at least to be as daring as he was last night, pulling out his Ovation acoustic and plinking out a few songs rather than go through a totally rehearsed version. In fact Luke mentioned if we were okay as an audience for putting up with their "jam."

Some surely felt short changed but at least we were treated to the real thing, not a cover version and whatever Luke did will never be done again. It was a one-off like a Picasso. Many don't know though that Luke was in despair of being a karaoke version of himself and towards the end of the night the demons haunted and tormented him. Singer Ricky Nelson's song Garden Party written decades ago, is all  about the remorse of having to sing old hits over and over again and the despair that one's new songs are not as appreciated, so much so he'd rather "drive a truck" than sing his old hits... In a time of reality shows, it was reality on stage..how to be human apart from being gods...They played for two hours and there was no opening act...

Although most people were there to hear the hits, Africa and Hold the Line, it was a joy to see such great musicians on one stage playing great arrangements of great songs, with a great mix, from a musician's POV. There will be no video for this so those who did not go, sorry na lang.

My thanks to Sonny for a wonderful time amid keeping the show together, the band, Ovation Productions, and his friends happy, and for remembering our Asteroid days when we used to swim all day at Ypao Beach with Ric and Bobby.. ..You did good bro!


Nicanor "Sonny" Abelardo lll and Luke



The Asteroids circa 1960's. This is a copy from my brother Ric's collection as worn as it is:

Left to right- Fernando Gumba  15 yrs- guitar; center- Ric Macaraeg, AKA Ric Segreto, 12 yrs- vocals; Goff Macaraeg  13 yrs-guitar, seated left- Sonny Abelardo 11 yrs- drums; seated right- Bobby Abelardo, 14 yrs- bass; Nino Abelardo in the picture..our manager!

[goff]

I was there, and I had a more pleasant experience.  I was at the Patron area, and the sound quality down there was exceptional.  My musician friends were also raving about how great the sound system was.  And like what I said on another thread, Simon's drums sounded huge.

In my opinion, I think Toto prefers to focus more nowadays on their newer materials.  But at least, they still performed many of their classic hits, though in excerpts.  I think this is more of a disappointment for the casual listeners, who happen to be more familiar with their popular hits than their instrumentals and "non-mainstream" songs.  I'm sure true-blue musicians and die-hard fans were the ones who enjoyed and appreciated the concert the most.

FYI...  Toto keyboardist David Paich is already retired from touring, though he's still an official member of the band.  And as said on the concert, bassist Mike Porcaro has the hand injury, which is why he isn't around.  So it's still good that of all bassist who can session for them, they were able to get the great Lee Sklar.

I just finished writing a blog about my Toto concert experience.  Click here --- http://anthonydio.multiply.com/journal/item/139 . 

Actually according to Sonny, this is Toto's last tour. Steve Lukather will be concentrating on his new album. Bobby Kimball told me he will tour doing corporate shows singing his Toto hits. Lee said he can hardly wait to get home and crawl into his own bed... that he wanted to go home at the same time he liked being here daw...See what these guys go through for us?

Yes the drums did sound huge. Each kick was internally mic'd with an AKG D112 and the kit was well balanced overall.
Thunder appeal...

[luna_07]

Waaah! di ko napanuod!

[drumster]

That's a very informative post, sir goff.  Thanks for sharing! 

[goff]

That's a very informative post, sir goff.  Thanks for sharing! 

]

Anthony, you're welcome. I found your blog review insightful specially from a drummer's point of view.. Thanks for giving us your perspective..

[jiu-jitsu brasileiro]

hi goff, thanks for the infos. i know some of sonny abelardo's relatives in san miguel, bulacan cause that's where i spent my high school days and doon din ang birthplace ni nicanor abelardo. i was longing to ask you this kasi noong high school days ko pa nadinig sa uncle ko na ric (your late brother) was the one who did the vocal works sa RP albums, is this true? thanks.

[goff]

hi goff, thanks for the infos. i know some of sonny abelardo's relatives in san miguel, bulacan cause that's where i spent my high school days and doon din ang birthplace ni nicanor abelardo. i was longing to ask you this kasi noong high school days ko pa nadinig sa uncle ko na ric (your late brother) was the one who did the vocal works sa RP albums, is this true? thanks.

That's remarkable that you have met some of the Abelardos from Bulacan. I met a few at the concert the other night. Sonny's first time to come through here as an adult. It's his first time re-connecting with his Filipino side.

On RP my brother Ric sang back-ups on many of the songs on both albums, and had some speaking parts on Got Carried Away. I sang all the lead vox on both albums, did much of the lyric writing for both, and wrote the melodies and lyrics for RUN, YOU, SO GLAD, STREET LEGAL on the first album which was Street Legal. People ask about While Angels March which was a Louie Ocampo melody while I wrote the title and lyrics to his 2 songs (the other was Top Secret on Strange Storms) that Louie contributed for RP. Of course Bob's arrangements and guitar work added much to the character of the finished product. And Mike Pedero's equipment and mixing ears added needed touches. Thanks for asking.

[drumster]

Anthony, you're welcome. I found your blog review insightful specially from a drummer's point of view.. Thanks for giving us your perspective..

You're welcome, sir!  Thanks for reading and appreciating my blog about the Toto concert.  That's how I write my blogs...  It's personal, and I do base it on my actual point-of-view and experience.   

I enjoyed re-reading your post.  It really reflects so much about the guys from Toto, and how life can be as a touring musician.  If you don't mind, is it okay if I link that post on my blogsite?  Or better yet, copy it (with your permission, and of course credit will be given to you). 

[goff]

You're welcome, sir!  Thanks for reading and appreciating my blog about the Toto concert.  That's how I write my blogs...  It's personal, and I do base it on my actual point-of-view and experience.   

I enjoyed re-reading your post.  It really reflects so much about the guys from Toto, and how life can be as a touring musician.  If you don't mind, is it okay if I link that post on my blogsite?  Or better yet, copy it (with your permission, and of course credit will be given to you). 

Anthony you may do as you wish with any of this material. It is meant for education purposes..I wished to give insight to the life of musicians specially the ones who do only music their entire lives. I was handed, a little while ago while meeting with Sonny for dinner, a copy of  Ernesto V. Epistola's book. Nicanor Abelardo: The Man and the Artist..A Biography. I was reading through some of it and the trials and tribulations that Sonny's grandfather went through as a musician. An interesting read. Nicanor Abelardo was churning out compositions during the early 1900's. I remarked to Sonny that the picture on the cover of the book of Nicanor looked a lot like Sonny's older brother Nino who was our manager during our teenage band days...



During dinner Sonny and I talked much about his plans for Steve Lukather. The new album is out along with a real cool video for the song Ever Changing Times under Ride Records. He plans to bring Steve here as a solo artist for this album sometime this year if things can be arranged. Along with the CD is a DVD of the video and a behind-the-scenes in the studio featuring Steve and the musicians on the new CD.

[drumster]

I'll just post on my blogsite a link to this discussion.  Thanks sir goff!
 

[Rock_Fusion]

Thanks for sharing everyone..
I was at the lower box with my sister and we enjoyed the show
I was excited to hear the new stuff along
with the old classics done with a twist..
they almost played all the Toto songs on my mp3 playlist.

[skin]

On RP my brother Ric sang back-ups on many of the songs on both albums, and had some speaking parts on Got Carried Away. I sang all the lead vox on both albums, did much of the lyric writing for both, and wrote the melodies and lyrics for RUN, YOU, SO GLAD, STREET LEGAL on the first album which was Street Legal. People ask about While Angels March which was a Louie Ocampo melody while I wrote the title and lyrics to his 2 songs (the other was Top Secret on Strange Storms) that Louie contributed for RP. Of course Bob's arrangements and guitar work added much to the character of the finished product. And Mike Pedero's equipment and mixing ears added needed touches. Thanks for asking. smiley

i had both albums...lost the first one...had the 2nd album converted to mp3's and is in my ipod...thumbs up for both albums!...too bad di na available sa market...would love to have cd copies of both...

sorry sa OT...

[yOOrin]

hello pips!
me, my husband, & my cousins were in the concert din. as always, magaling talaga ang TOTO. sobrang nag-enjoy kami, though medyo bitin lang ang dating sa'ming mag-asawa eh ok pa din. we've watched them kasi sa Aliw nuon 3 or 4 yrs ago yata, yun sulit talaga. we were so close to the stage/band kc pinababa ni Luke ang audience that time.. kc medyo hindi puno ung venue. pero this Araneta concert nila eh na-amaze tlaga ako! 95% yata ng seating capacity ng Araneta ang nanuod.
nakakatuwa makita na madami pa rin silang fans dito. yun nga lang hinahanap pa din sa kanila ang mga classic nila; but they were gracious to give that. and for that we should be thankful. i thought nga that time.. cguro nagsasawa na din silang tugtugin ang mga past songs nila... and nakakapagod din cguro na kakagaling lang nila ng Cebu tapos Manila naman.
sana maulit... kahit bago sila mag-retire.. yung isang malupit na concert.. yung tipong nakatayo lahat ng tao at pinagpapawisan sa tugtugan nila... tsaka sana yung sa Tambu album naman nila

[dacs]

Sir Goff, thanks so much for sharing your Toto experience. Now all the sucky reviews don't bother me anymore because at least my high opinion of the show has been validated All the juicy inside stuff was a great read too.

Great to know that their manager is Pinoy. I do hope that increases the chances that Luke's solo tour would be passing this way. Wouldn't miss that for the world

[randymarsh]

Napanood ko din sila pero hindi sa Manila kundi sa Sydney a month ago. I was front of the stage.

Ang lupet ng tunog ni Luke. I have some videos of the concert you can check them out and hear how it sounded sa spot ko. Yung guitar solo ni Luke sa Rosanna

http://arjinted.multiply.com/video/item/26/Rosanna_Guitar_Solo_-_Toto_Concert_Sydney

at yung six minute shred solo niya

http://arjinted.multiply.com/video/item/27/Steve_Lukathers_Six_Minute_Guitar_Shred_Solo

Enjoy 

[Gorio]

Sir Goff,

Thanks for such a great review. I was the white guy Sonny greeted before taking you back stage, the one who stood for most of the concert. I have been a major Toto fan for a long time and have just emailed Sonny to try and get Luke this way on his solo tour.

I was a member here awhile back when trying to get a reocrd company Dangerous Inc off the ground, sadly we failed. Is is great to come back to this board.

Here is a short article about my journey with Toto:

Time For The Letting Go, a personal story.

Superlatives are dangerous when discussing any art as all opinions are subjective but somehow when it comes to Toto it’s the superlatives that spring to my lips. It was 1979 when I first heard Toto and I still remember how much the music communicated passion and talent. At the time I was into Queen, Pink Floyd and Led Zep, hard acts to compete with, but it was Toto that captured my true taste. So it was with utter horror I read the Critics slighting them for just being “slick studio musicians” like this was an insult! When did talent become a bad thing to have in the realm of music? Since then Toto have become the Critics band to hate so I must be a true rebel at heart.

Seeing them in concert was a feast, 04 October 1982 was the first time and I wore a flying jacket and had them sign the back with gold lettering pen, ha memories of youth, I still have it. The second time was also at the Hammersmith Odeon, London on the 03rd of April 1988 I met Steve Porcaro and Jeff after sound check when they came out and asked me if I could point them in the direction of “a Pub, you know somewhere to get a drink?”! Instantly friendly and open to the idea that I join them, it was a dream come true, NO! Its Sunday the pubs were closed in England back then! Oh well almost had a drink with my musical heroes. They still stayed and chatted answering questions that they had heard repeated at every venue.

Each album then became a joy, wanting and waiting. News was hard to come by back then in the PI (pre-internet) era but the Toto Legend fan club served the purpose and friends were made and the music savoured. The infrequency of its publication adding to the elation when it finally arrived.

So time moved on and I remember the best day of my life, a letter published in the London Times, a surprise tax refund, and getting a full grant to go to college! I could not believe my day and it was only nine in the morning! While in town and reflecting on how blessed with luck my day had been I decide to nip into the record shop, Castle Records, a small store tucked into a corner where the owner loved to discuss music; to ask if on the off chance if Toto’s Fahrenheit had arrived? No such luck but still walking-on-air I disappear into town. Roughly half an hour later the owner of Castle Records ran up to me telling me Toto’s Fahrenheit had just arrived in! Taking it home I did not think I could be happier but then I played it! Joseph Williams took me to another level. It is great to hear him back now on FIB even for one song! Suddenly while listening to Fahrenheit the phone rang, did I “want the charity job in the Philippines” I was interested in and I answered yes, but explained I wanted to go to college first. I hung up the phone not knowing if I was right or wrong when suddenly I hear Luke singing:

Some people live their dreams
Some people close their eyes
Some people's destiny
Passes by

There are no guarantees
There are no alibis
That's how our love must be
Don't ask why

It takes some time
God knows how long

The lyrics were out of context but totally freaky! What a day!

A few years later and in the Philippines running the children’s charity that had previously called me up. One day we had been dealing with a case of horrendous child abuse, afterwards we were totally drained and feeling down when suddenly a letter arrived from a friend in the UK (written two weeks before), telling me he knew the work was difficult and that he had been blessed by the lyrics off the Toto Album The Seventh One, he then quoted the full lyrics of “Only the Children”.

We keep hurting each other when words can't be easily said
No understanding or reason, just fear and confusion instead
We need hope for the future, and the young need a chance to survive
No one knows the pain that's felt by the innocent, they're
Fighting to stay alive, can no one see the tears in their eyes

Chorus:
Only the children, only the children cry, only the children

Why do those who have plenty ignore those with nothing at all
Why must the ones just beginning, stand with their backs to the wall
They keep asking for answers and we keep on telling them lies
They only want to understand what they feel inside
The hunger that tears them apart
It's the one thing they've known from the start

I cried, no, I wept like a child. Again Luke and Toto touched my life, this time when I was down they lifted me up and kept me going when I felt like giving up, I still run three charities in the Philippines. A few years later and I posted this story online and Luke sent an email to me through a third party that truly blessed me.

Not long after I had started working with the charity, Toto announced dates for two Manila concerts; of course I had to go. First night I was in the best seats but the security wanted us to sit down, Luke soon put the security in its place and the party went on. Second night and I purchased the cheapest tickets for all the High School children in our children’s home, I could not afford more. We were right at the back but having the time of our lives. Suddenly a young man jumped on stage and hugged David Paich! Do I need to explain how hard Luke et al were laughing? Yet the children from our home laughed harder, it was one of the boys from our home who had sneaked past security and managed to get on stage! Tirso is his name and by the way he is now Head Teacher of a school for children who would otherwise be scavenging on a dump site called Payatas, and he is still a Toto fan! He was at the Toto concert in Manila earlier this year. He was a street kid and is now a Head Teacher, Toto have been a big part of his life encouraging him along his journey. Also I know “Only The Children” is one of the reasons he has chosen to work with our charity school at the rubbish dump, he was once one of those children and wants to help others out of the poverty that he had escaped.

These are just a few stories of my personal walk as a fan of Toto’s music; I have many more, like the first time we listened to “Turn Back” while at Boarding School by sneaking into the music room to use the LP player way after we should have been sleeping!

Another time I purchased tickets on ebay to see Toto in Holland yet I lived in the Philippines! The tickets did not arrive in time but friends (you know who you are but wish to remain anonymous) made sure I got to the concert (Luke knows who). I even got a post-concert party invite but had to travel home and never made it!

Critics claim Toto’s lyrics are bland, the music too polished and style too professional; polish and being professional would normally be compliments! But the Toto story went on, recently they described themselves as Falling in Between in styles and musical pigeon holes but the truth is so do most of us in our musical tastes, Toto stretched us as listeners provoking us with styles, moods and talent, if this is falling in between then let me take the leap. I hope my true stories above have shown you that Toto are passionate, human, down-to-earth and make music that touches lives for good. So Critics be damned, the record buying pubic are the true critics and critics subjective opinions are obscuring the art from the public. Yet do not just believe me let your ears judge for themselves and listen to the Toto catalogue.

Finally I was at two of the last three Toto concerts. They have been the soundtrack to my life since I was 13 and I have so many stories about the music they have blessed us with. I could write a lot more but just want to say thank you. The band were great but without a Paich or a Porcaro Luke was right to step out on his own. Ever Changing Times indeed, but change is to be embraced not feared. The guys from Toto will stay friends and hopefully turn up on each other’s recordings now and again, Time for the Letting Go, the music has been great and indeed the music goes on, over to you Luke...

Craig Burrows MBE (ask Simon what that means, I would maybe never have got it if Toto’s music had not kept me inspired)

[dacs]

^That was an awesome heartfelt story! It's wonderful how Toto touched your life. Thanks for sharing this!

I'm still very sad for the end of the band, but very thankful for the great music they left behind