Steve Lukather, in discussing some upcoming personnel moves for his band Toto, also confirmed a previously unannounced summer tour for Steely Dan.
Lukather has been in the studio with long-time Steely Dan collaborator Keith Carlock, working on a forthcoming album, but the drummer will not be with him on the Toto concert dates to follow. Lukather says that Carlock, before joining Toto, had committed to one more tour with Steely Dan — to take place this summer. Steely Dan has not yet mentioned plans for another round of shows.
Toto will be appearing instead with Shannon Forrest, who has previously worked with 2014 touring partner Michael McDonald. Carlock, who replaced long-time collaborator Simon Phillips, will then return as drummer in 2015, Lukather says. Phillips joined Toto in 1992.
“Keith is the only drummer on our record,” Lukather says, “and he will be in the band — but there is one last Steely Dan tour he was committed to this August before we asked him to join.”
Meanwhile, Nathan East — who has just released his first-ever solo album — is stepping aside for original Toto bassist David Hungate, who left the group subsequent to their blockbuster 1982 release IV. East had been a touring member since 2010; Hungate will join Toto for American tour dates in August and September. Both Hungate and Forrest played together previously in the band Mecca.
“As it seems the news is out,” Lukather says, “yes, we are very happy and honored to have Hungate do the USA tour with us. Nathan is busy with Foreplay and his solo career now and is leaving. He was great but, like Simon, he needed to go with his own career — and we are all still great friends.”
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So many personnel changes…do hold the line.
Toto after Jeff Porcaro…are nothing!!!
Ridiculous comment because Simon Phillips, a fantastic drummer in his own right, was a member of Toto longer than Porcaro and played on 2 of their best albums, “Mindfields” and “Tambu”.
Clearly you have not listened to Falling in Between. The title track alone ranks as one of Toto’s most outstanding efforts. While I believe that Toto would not have risen to their success without Jeff, I am very glad that they chose to persevere after his untimely passing.
His brother Mike, who officially replaced David Hungate in 1982, also died (in March 2015).