TOTO celebrate "40 Trips Around The Sun" announce First Run of 2018 Dates & New Sony Album

This media release just landed in my inbox and is great news for fans of TOTO, especially the band's terrific 2015 album release TOTO XIV.

TOTO CELEBRATE “40 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN” ANNOUNCE FIRST RUN OF DATES &

NEW SONY ALBUM IN SUPPORT OF

40TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2018

 

New Album To Be Released On Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings Worldwide In February Of 2018 Will Contain Classic Remastered Hits Alongside Brand New Tracks

Los Angeles, CA --- TOTO is pleased to announce the first set of shows in support of the band’s 40^th Anniversary beginning in 2018.  The 40 Trips Around The Sun Tour will begin in February 2018 in Europe.  The tour will be the band’s most extensive run in years and will be a worldwide tour to celebrate the band’s enduring career.  More shows will be announced shortly.

 

Along side the launch of the tour, TOTO along with Legacy Recordings have created a brand new Greatest Hits package. The album will feature brand new previously unreleased music along side newly remastered classic tracks worked on by Elliot Scheiner & Gavin Lurssen and his team.  The core Toto members, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Joseph Williams re-entered the studio this past year to work on the material.  Full details on that album along side many other projects the band has in the works with Legacy Recordings will be announced at a later date.

 

“Myself, David, Steve and Joseph are humbled and thrilled at the long lasting success of the band,” Steve Lukather remarked.  “This 40^th Anniversary tour is going to be a special one for us and all of the fans that come out.  On top of all that, it’s really exciting to be working with Sony Music again.  We’ve spent a lot of time this year working on new music and re-mastering the older tracks.”

 

Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of TOTO.  As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a half a billion albums.  Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with more than 200 Grammy nominations.

 

With close to 40 years together and literally thousands of credits, including the biggest selling album of all time: Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and accolades to their names, TOTO remains one of the top selling touring and recording acts in the world. They are the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire music community, being simply synonymous with musical credibility.  Their repertoire continues to be current via high profile usage on broadcast television.  They are pop culture, and are one of the few 70’s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles to a career enjoy a multi-generational worldwide fan base.

 

 

TOTO – 2018 - 40 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN TOUR

2/19     Hamburg, DE                          Mehr! Theater

2/21     Dusseldorf, DE                        Mitsubishi-Electric Hall

2/22     Munich, DE                             Olympiahalle

2/24     Berlin, DE                                C-Halle

2/25     Leipzig, DE                             Haus Auensee

2/28     Krakow, PL                             Tauron Arena

3/2       Vienna, AT                              Gasometer

3/10     Milan, IT                                 Mediolanum Forum

3/13     Stuttgart, DE                            Porsche Arena

3/15     Lille, FR                                   Zenith

3/17     Amsterdam, NL                       Ziggo Dome

3/18     Brussels, BE                             Forest National

3/20     Offenbach, DE                         Stadthalle

3/23     Bologna, IT                             Unipol Arena

3/25     Marseille, FR                            Dome

3/26     Toulouse, FR                           Zenith

3/27     Lyon, FR                                 Halle Tony Garnier

3/30     Paris, FR                                  La Seine Musicale

4/1       London, UK                            Royal Albert Hall

4/2       Manchester, UK                       Bridgewater Hall

4/4       Dublin, IE                                Vicar Street

4/7       Belfast, UK                              Waterfront Auditorium

4/8       Glasgow, UK                           SEC Armadillo

 

 

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Toto to release first album in 10 years on March 24, 2015 in North America

Toto has enjoyed a welcome resurgence over the past few years, so it's great the band is set to release a new studio album in early spring. Here is the media release...

TOTO XIV to be issued on March 24, 2015 in North America

First New Studio Album in Ten Years Out In Europe 3/20,

The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on 3/24

World Tour Commences In Glasgow on May 21, 2015

North American Dates To Follow

Los Angeles, CA --- Frontiers Music Srl has announced a March 20 release date for TOTO XIV in Europe, with The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on March 24.  The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow. Configurations include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph.  The album will be available via all digital retailers.  A pre-order has gone live via Amazon for the LP (http://geni.us/TotoXIVLPAmz), CD (http://geni.us/TotoXIVRegAmz) and Deluxe Edition (http://geni.us/TotoXIVDlxAmz).

The new album is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the band’s first album of new material since 2006’s Falling In Between.  However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.

Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions.  We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV.  We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.  Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can.  Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for."  Keyboardist David Paich reflects, "I think of TOTO as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness.   There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'." 

As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table.  Guitarist Steve "Luke" Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybody's performances are top notch.  We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music.  I'm really excited to hear what people think."  Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player.  All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own." 

Founding bassist David Hungate returns to the fold, about whom Luke simply offers, "No one plays like David Hungate." Drums were performed by Keith Carlock who's commitments to Steely Dan prohibit him from participating in the 2015 World Tour.  Shannon Forest will be behind the kit, who was a part of the band's 2014 North American run. Luke offers, "Shannon is a world class drummer and we are honored to have him back with us."

The sessions were co-produced by CJ Vanston, who Paich looks upon as, "everything a producer is supposed to be and more - a musicians producer."  Vanston states, "There have never been better musicians on the planet, especially in a band together.  This is an amazing record and I am completely thrilled to be a part of it.  This is a dream job for me."  Porcaro offers an additional thought stating, "I think the band is hit upon a very healthy creative tension for this project.  I'm very excited about it."  For Williams he reflects, "Just imagine being able to stand on stage in front of enormous crowd of people, and you are playing great music with the best musicians in the world, and you look around, and they are some of your best friends in the world.  It's the best feeling any person could have."  For Porcaro he shares, "It is kind of hard to find words of what it means to have a smile on your face to go to work every day and we have the fans to thank for that - so thank you."

The band will hit the ground running with an extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in Glasgow on May 21, and takes Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium.  Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale.  A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015.  The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.

The last couple of years have been active, with a seven show sold-out tour of Asia that took them through Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai and Sapporo in April, 2014.  Also that month, the 35th Anniversary Tour - Live In Polandtitle was released, debuting at #1 in territories across the globe.  Last August and September, the band hit the road travelling across North America as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, which when it was all said and done was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years. 

Historically, few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of TOTO.  As individuals, the band members’ imprint can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a HALF A BILLION albums.  Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with 225 Grammy nominations.  TOTO sold 35 million albums, and today continue to be a worldwide arena draw staging standing room only events across the globe.  They are pop culture, and are one of the few 70s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles, and 35 plus years in to a career enjoy a multi-generational fan base.  It is not an exaggeration to estimate that 95% of the world's population has heard a performance by a member of TOTO. 

Toto also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease.  The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative (http://www.fallenheroes.org/), and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.

An EPK featuring the band's insights can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/vsBf9hSkOPQ

TOTO XIV TRACK LISTING

1.     Running Out Of Time

2.     Burn

3.     Holy War

4.     21st Century Blues

5.     Orphan

6.     Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)

7.     The Little Things

8.     Chinatown

9.     All The Tears That Shine

10.  Fortune

11.  Great Expectations

TOTO TOUR DATES

5/21     Glasgow, UK                                                  Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

5/23     Dublin, Ireland                                                Vicar Street (SOLD OUT)

5/25     Manchester, UK                                             02 Apollo Manchester

5/26     London, UK                                                    Apollo Hammersmith

5/28     Paris, France                                                   Zenith

5/29     Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg                       Rockhal

5/30     Amsterdam, Netherlands                                Ziggo Dome

6/02     Sonderborg, Denmark                                     Molleparkens Friluftscene

6/03     Copenhagen, Denmark                                    Falkoner Theatre

6/04     Solvesborg, Sweden                                        Sweden Rock Festival

6/06     Bergen, Norway                                              Bergen Calling

6/07     Oslo, Norway                                                 Sentrum Scene (SOLD OUT)

6/10     Bremerhaven, Germany                                  Stadthalle

6/11     Berlin, Germany                                             Tempodrome

6/12     Leipzig, Germany                                           Parkbuhne

6/13     Dresden, Germany                                          Junge Garde

6/15     Cologne, Germany                                          Tanzbrunnen

6/16     Offenbach, Germany                                      Stadthalle

6/17     Stuttgart, Germany                                         Freilichtbuhne Killesberg

6/18     Abenberg, Germany                                        Burg Abenberg

6/20     Hinwil, Switzerland                                        Rock The Ring Festival

6/21     Klam, Austria                                                 Castle Clam

6/23     Wroclaw, Poland                                             Orbita Hol

6/24     Warsaw, Poland                                              Torwar

6/26     Budapest, Hungary                                         Petofi Hall

6/27     Bucharest, Romania                                        Sala Palatului

6/28     Sofia, Bulgaria                                                 Arena Armeec

6/30     Belgrade, Serbia                                               Kalemegdan Fortress

7/03     Milan, Italy                                                     City Sound Milan

7/05     Rome, Italy                                                     Cavea Auditorium

7/08     Munich, Germany                                          Olympiahalle

7/13     Morzine, France                                             Morzine Harley Days

7/15     Nimes, France                                                 Festival de Nimes

7/16     Vienne, France                                                Theatre Antique

Sights and sounds: Toto, George Michael, Billy Joel

Here is a roundup of news and notes that have landed in my inbox this morning...

Toto has a new collection coming on April 29, 2014.

Toto and Eagle Rock Entertainment have announced a April 29, 2014 release date for the band's 35 Anniversary Tour - Live In Poland. The title will be available in configurations that include 2-CD, DVD, Blu-ray and a deluxe edition featuring all formats with a 60-page book.

Filmed on June 25, 2013 in Lodz, Poland, the offering captures the band in the midst of a standing-room-only European tour. The two-hour plus performance features Toto's hit stocked repertoire alongside other favorites.  The complete track listing is: Intro,  Medley: "On The Run" / "Child's Anthem" / "Goodbye Eleanor," "Goin' Home," "Hydra," "St. George And The Dragon," "I'll Be Over You," "It's A Feeling," "Rosanna," "Wings Of Time," "Falling In Between," "I Won't Hold You Back," "Pamela," "99," "The Muse," "White Sister," "Better World," "Africa," "How Many Times," "Stop Loving You," "Hold The Line," and "Home Of The Brave."  The set also includes behind-the-scenes bonus content.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has premiered the band's performance of "Hold The Line" which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibxxkNRumN4.

The 35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR - LIVE IN POLAND release captures Toto's  European tour that hit 29 cities staging successful concerts Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.  Toto World Tour 2013 featured Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro on keyboards, and singer Joseph Williams, who sang the hits "Pamela" and "Stop Loving You" on the worldwide platinum release The Seventh One (1988).   Williams is also featured on the platinum certified Fahrenheit (1986), Toto XX (1998), the track "Bottom of Your Soul" on Falling In Between (2006), and the multi-platinum release Past to Present 1977-1990 issued in 1990.

Toto has revealed plans for 2014 that deliver what fans have been waiting years for.  The band will record a new studio album planned for release in 2015, their first since Falling In Between (2006).  Keyboardist and founding member David Paich recently shared, "The repertoire is coming together so naturally it is as though we never took a break from creating as Toto in the studio. For the fans who have been waiting patiently and continually showing the band support and love over the last decade or so, this one's for you. Collectively we can't wait to share these recordings with The World."

This April, they return to Japan for a seven show headlining sold-out arena tour that takes them through Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai and Sopporo.  In August and September, Toto will hit the road as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, for their most comprehensive North American tour in years. 

With over 35 years together and thousands of credits and accolades to their names, Toto remains one of the top selling tour and recording acts in the world. They are the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire music community, being simply synonymous with musical credibility. 

Band members have been South Park characters, while recently Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake offered a light-hearted homage via a comedy sketch around the band's hit  "Africa."  They are pop culture, and are one of the few 70’s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles, and more than 35 years in to a career enjoy a multi-generational fan base.

TOTO also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease.  The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative (http://www.fallenheroes.org/), and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music. For more information, visit the Eagle Rock Entertainment Web site at: http://www.eaglerockent.com/.

George Michael has a new live album set to land this month courtesy of Island Records. Read more on George A. Paul's Music Minded blog here.

Finally, Billy Joel's 1987 concert staged in Russia is coming to both CD and DVD/Blu-ray via a new reissue edition. A Matter Of Trust - The Bridge to Russia is being released by Columbia/Legacy on May 20, 2014. Read all the details on George A. Paul's Music Minded site here.

Speaking of Joel, this Sunday, March 9^th, Ovation is proud to present the latest episode of Music Mavericks, featuring Billy Joel. A hit-maker in the 70s, 80, and 90s, Joel has had a whopping 33 Top 40 hits, all of which he wrote.  He’s won six Grammys, sold over 150 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.  In 2013, he received the Kennedy Center Honor, the nation’s highest honor, for influencing American culture through the arts.  This profile shows how a kid from the Bronx was influenced by the Beatles and went on to become one of the most-successful singer-songwriter-pianists of all time.

Music Mavericks airs weekly Sunday nights at 7 p.m. ET. Ovation, America’s only arts network, is currently airing season two of its original music profile series, Music Mavericks.  The series looks at major figures in rock and pop music and their impact on popular culture.  Using interviews, news archives, and performance footage, each 30-minute episode reveals the unique aspects of the iconic artist profiled.

Please take a look at the following exclusive clips from the episode:

Music Mavericks: Billy Joel - New York State of Mind (Preview)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M61gq_vYSR4&list=PLc4So41BkbnLBf4gciXqWKovXIkxcY07l&index=2

Music Mavericks: Billy Joel - Piano Man (Preview)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auGBsEnB8ZU&list=PLc4So41BkbnLBf4gciXqWKovXIkxcY07l&index=3

Music Mavericks: Billy Joel - 80s Style Motown (Preview)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loOE-vp3EO0&list=PLc4So41BkbnLBf4gciXqWKovXIkxcY07l&index=4