Just had a great time meeting and watching Toto lead singer Bobby Kimball perform at Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur on November 29, 2008.
This special performance was in celebration of Hard Rock Cafe's recent re-launch and its 17th anniversary.
The cafe recently underwent a RM3 million refurbishment exercise involving both its exterior and interior and now sports an exciting new look.
Kimball performed Toto's hits such as Rosanna, Africa and Hold the Line, which made the band popular worldwide in the 1980s.
Toto was founded in 1977 with Kimball, keyboardist David Paich, (son of composer Marty Paich), drummer Jeff Porcaro (son of acclaimed percussionist Joe Porcaro), guitarist Steve Lukather and Jeff's brother, keyboardist Steve Porcaro. It released its first, self-titled album in 1978.
Toto also composed music for the 1984 science fiction film Dune starring singer Sting and Twin Peaks' Kyle MacLachlan.
Toto is best known for its technical prowess in the studio and its musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, R&B and jazz.
The band has released 17 albums and sold over 30 million records. Its 18th release, Falling In Between Live, was released last year.
Its earliest hits were Hold the Line, I'll Supply the Love and Georgy Porgy.
Its second album contained another monster hit, 99, inspired by Star Wars creator George Lucas' cult film THX 1138.
Toto also provided American Idol judge and notable choreographer Paula Abdul with her first claim to fame. She was a dancer in the band's music video for Till The End.
Steve left the band in 1987 to pursue a solo music and acting career.
Another Porcaro brother, Mike, joined as bassist.
Jeff died in 1992. He suffered a fatal heart attack caused by an allergic reaction to insecticide used in his house.
He was replaced by Simon Phillips, a Londoner noted for collaborating with The Who, Mike Oldfield and Mick Jagger.
In 2005, Greg Philinganes, a protege of Stevie Wonder, joined the group as its new keyboardist.
In April this year, Toto's members chose to call it a day as a band.
They performed together for the last time that month in Seoul, South Korea. Each member is currently working on solo projects.
Toto, and its individual members have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry and they include Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Larry Carlton, Chicago, Sir Elton John, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Sir Paul McCartney, Steve Vai and Lionel Richie.
Paich also composed music for the Beijing Olympics this year.
Here are the lyrics to some of Toto's greatest hit songs.
Africa (My personal favourite)
I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She’s coming in 12.30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, “hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you”
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
We’re gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become
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
We’re gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you
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, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
We’re gonna take some time to do the things we never had
I'll Be Over You
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
I know that I can forget you
As soon as my heart stops breakin'
Anticipating
As soon as forever is through
I'll be over you
Remembering times gone by
Promises we once made
What are the reasons why
Nothing stays the same
There were the nights holding you close
Someday I'll try to forget them
Someday I'll be over you
Rosanna
All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me, Rosanna
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn't know you were looking for more than I could ever be
Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn't know that a girl like you could make me feel so sad, Rosanna
All I wanna take is a night you'll never ever have to compromise
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Georgy Porgy
It's not your situation, I just need contemplation over you
I'm not so systematic, it's just that I'm an addict for your love
Not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only girl
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only world
Just think how long I've known you, it's long for me to own you, lock and key
It's really not confusing, I'm just the young illusion, can't you see
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only girl
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only world
Georgy Porgy, pudding pie, kissed the girls and made them cry
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them cry
It's not your situation, I just need contemplation over you
I'm not so systematic, it's just that I'm an addict for your love
Not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only girl
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only world
Georgy Porgy, pudding pie, kissed the girls and made them cry
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them cry
Georgy Porgy, pudding pie, kissed the girls and made them cry
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them high
Georgy Porgy
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them high
Georgy Porgy
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them cry
