. . . or click on the link here for Audio Player – Toto – Live in Rotterdam – March 2, 1988 – VPRO-3VOOR12 – Netherlands
It’s becoming tedious regularity, telling of the passing of yet another member of our Music Community. But . . . earlier today it was learned of the passing of Toto founding member and extraordinary Bass player Mike Porcaro, from complications associated with a long battle over Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at the age of 59.
Porcaro, along with brothers Steve and Jeff formed Toto in 1977, after gaining a solid reputation as session players for some of the iconic acts of the early 1970s in Southern California and wanting to try their own path. Their debut album was a success and by the early 1980s had established an unbeatable reputation as one of the best new bands coming out of America.
But in 1992 Jeff Porcaro died from complications resulting from cocaine addiction, and in 1994 Steve Porcaro left the band to pursue a career in film scoring. Mike continued on until his diagnosis with ALS forced his retirement in 2007.
This concert, recorded in 1988 puts them during the high point in their career. it was recorded in concert at Rotterdam on March 2, 1988 by the venerable VPRO Radio network in the Netherlands.
Toto was a band who came to define Pop music in the 1980s – at a time when MTV was taking over as the go-to place to find new music, Toto were there almost constantly. My fondest memories of the band were working with them on the Africa and Rosanna videos – they were a blast and were wonderful to work with. The band were the best and the crew gave their all. Good times all around.
And Mike Porcaro was their backbone.
RIP Mike. Your song will go on forever.
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