Toto

On March 2, 2008 at The Civic Theatre in Auckland, the legendary TOTO will perform live, for their first time ever in front of New Zealand audiences, as part of their 2007 – 2008 ‘Falling In Between Live’ World Tour.

This will be a special evening for fans and the band alike and we have one pair tickets to offer for a competition. Simply name the best-selling album that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year on which Toto's Steve Lukather is featured on guitar AND the name of the prior album by that artist.

TOTO’s trek down under which includes 5 Australian dates comes off the back of another run of successful dates around the world in support of their critically acclaimed release ‘Falling In Between’. (Destra)

By now you know the history and the hits, (if you don’t, just check out the bands official and in depth website www.toto99.com). The band was built from its inception on solid friendship and musical camaraderie that started 30 years ago and has been like no other, either past or present.

TOTO’s seven Grammy Awards – (and that’s not counting the Grammy’s held by them as individual solo artistes) – has seen the band clock up over 30 million sales worldwide!! Plus all of the members of TOTO still have successful solo careers.

Besides the familiar hits such as ‘Hold The Line’, ‘Rosanna’, ‘Africa’, ‘Georgy Porgy’, ‘I’ll Be Over You’, ‘Pamela’, and ‘I Wont Hold You Back’, anyone who gets to experience this rare New Zealand show will be blown away by the bands perfect pitched sound, impeccable musicianship and infectious stage presence.

The band’s current path is still forged by TOTO originators guitarist / vocalist Steve “Luke” Lukather (respected by the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck and Larry Carlton just to name a few) and the white eyed soulful vocals of Bobby Kimball, a man possessing an amazing voice and mesmerizing stage presence.

Since the untimely death of drummer Jeff Porcaro in 1992, the TOTO drum throne has been occupied by the one and only Simon Phillips (The Who, Jeff Beck, Judas Priest). Simon’s freak-of-nature, open handed drumming takes TOTO’s musicianship to another level and fills every available space within each song without once overplaying them.

TOTO’s most recent member is the brilliant keyboardist / vocalist Greg Phillinganes. Stevie Wonder discovered this musical prodigy at a youthful age and Greg has performed and recorded with artistes such as Eric Clapton, Barbara Streisand, Michael Jackson and of course Stevie Wonder, just to name a few.

TOTO bassist Mike Porcaro will be sadly absent on this tour due to injury and filling in for Mike is none other than renowned bassist Leland Sklar (James Taylor, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins and many more). Lee is an “Ace of a player”, a master at locking down a groove and like the rest of TOTO, is amazing to watch live. Also on guitar and vocals is Tony Spinner, TOTO’s youngest member.

The bands’ New Zealand date is on the back of their latest release ‘Falling in Between Live’ a CD, DVD and HD-DVD filmed in March 2007. Whether you go back and look at the discography of artistes these guys have recorded with, or listen to the ever so passionate musicianship heard on any great TOTO song, you don’t want to miss their first ever live show in New Zealand.

For any music guru of pop, rock, funk, prog and jazz on the planet, TOTO 2008 translated is “Still All Encompassing.”