Founding members Steve Lukather and David Paich, and longtime singer Joseph Williams, talk about a song that became a worldwide sensation – one of a string of hits that Toto has had over the last 40+ years.
It’s been 40 years since the song « Africa » unexpectedly became a worldwide sensation. It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Toto, the band that gave « Africa » life, did not think they had a hit. They nearly left it off the album. Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz asked Steve Lukather, one of Toto’s founding members, « Did you say that if ‘Africa’ is a hit, you’ll run down Hollywood Boulevard naked? »
« I did say that! » he smiled. « I really did say that. »
« Sunday Morning » met up with Lukather and David Paich, another of Toto’s founding members, along with longtime singer Joseph Williams – serious musicians who don’t take themselves too seriously. Williams said, « There was always several lead singers in the group. Dave was always singing lead vocals. »
Paich said, « We finally got a lead singer, or a high singer. »
Lukather interjected: « What are you talking about? We were all high! »
But the critics weren’t high on them. Lukather recalled, « They said our music sounded like a tangerine leisure suit. »
These guys are getting the last laugh. With packed shows, 40 million albums sold, and a string of hits spanning decades, Toto may be the coolest « uncool » band in history.
« Just wouldn’t give up, man », Lukather said. « Didn’t want to give it up. »
It began in Los Angeles, with high school-age pals Paich, Lukather, and brothers Jeff and Steve Porcaro sending demos out to record companies. They needed a name. One of them was watching « The Wizard of Oz » late one night, and Dorothy’s dog became a temporary solution… or so they thought.
