During the height of their illustrious profession, the enduring band Toto confronted the troublesome and emotional problem of parting methods with their lead singer, a second that co-founder Steve Porcaro describes as “really traumatic.” This pivotal determination got here at a time when the band had reached super heights of industrial success with their groundbreaking album, Toto IV, which dramatically elevated their standing within the music business. However, behind the scenes, tensions had been brewing, notably with frontman Bobby Kimball, who was combating severe substance abuse points that started to have an effect on his efficiency.

“It was the same old stuff within the early ‘80s, to be honest with you,” Porcaro reflected during a recent episode on the Bob Lefsetz podcast. “We were all part of the party atmosphere. But as the lead singer, there comes a point when the late nights and heavy drinking can catch up to you and impede your ability to deliver live performances.”

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“I can genuinely say that Bobby wasn’t engaging in anything that the rest of us weren’t doing,” Porcaro added, “but as the lead singer, it became increasingly evident when he was unable to perform at his best.”

Understanding the Heartbreaking Decision to Let Go of Bobby Kimball

The decision to dismiss Kimball came at a crucial juncture for Toto. The band had recently celebrated immense success with chart-topping hits like “Rosanna” and “Africa,” while Toto IV had secured an impressive total of six Grammys in 1983. Despite these accolades, the reality was that the band could no longer function effectively with their frontman in his current state.

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“It was truly heartbreaking for us. We had discovered our unique chemistry and figured out what worked for our music,” Porcaro reminisced. “After years of relentless touring and recording, we thought we had finally hit our stride. However, the continuous grind took its toll on everyone, and by the time we released Toto IV and embarked on its supporting tour, we were all utterly exhausted and in need of a break.”

Sadly, this time off did not lead to the rejuvenation of Kimball’s focus and efficiency.

“When the band finally reconvened to work on a follow-up to Toto IV, many of the negative habits that had developed reached a critical point, making it impossible for us to perform at the high standard we aspired to,” Porcaro defined, hinting at Kimball’s ongoing struggles with substance abuse. “This ultimately forced us to make the incredibly difficult choice to change lead singers, a decision that deeply affected us. It was an experience that we found truly traumatic as a band.”

The Evolution of Toto: New Lead Singers After Bobby Kimball

In the years following Kimball’s departure, Toto experimented with a number of lead singers, together with Dennis Frederiksen and Joseph Williams. Although Kimball returned in 1998 for one more decade-long stint, the band by no means fairly recaptured the magic and synergy they’d achieved in the course of the Toto IV period.

“Suddenly, that polished style of music, which our critics labeled as ‘corporate rock,’ fell out of favor,” Porcaro remarked, reflecting on the shifting musical panorama of the early ‘90s. “The rise of bands like Nirvana marked the beginning of the Seattle sound, and our musical approach, characterized by these elaborate synthesizer arrangements, became less popular. Our record label made it clear they were no longer as enthusiastic about us as they once were. If we had managed to produce more hits, they might have been more supportive. Unfortunately, the music industry was evolving, and we had to navigate these changes.”