Toto makes a successful comeback
JAKARTA (JP): The U.S. rock band Toto made a successful comeback here last night when it appeared before nearly 6,000 people at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central Jakarta.
Opening the show with Drag Him to the Roof, the group went straight into a high-tempo performance, much to the delight of the audience who waited for hours for the show to start.
Just as when they first came here four years ago, Toto proved that it still occupies a special place among its Indonesian fans, who had to pay between Rp 60,000 and Rp 250,000 (US$26 and $108) for last night's concert.
It was not until the third song, Jake to the Bone, that Steve Lukather, the group's leader and lead guitarist, addressed his fans.
"Hello, Jakarta! It's been four years," said Lukather, referring to the group's first visit in 1992.
Last night's two-hour concert was Toto's last show on its Southeast Asian Tour.
"This will be very special," Lukather promised.
The song Jake to the Bone was also dedicated to Jeff Porcaro, one of the three Porcaro brothers in the group who died in 1992 in an accident in his home.
The U.S. rock group arrived here on Saturday to promote its new album Tambu.
Established in 1977, this Californian group has produced nine albums: Toto (1978), Hydra (1980), Turn Back (1981), Toto IV (1982), Isolation (1984), Fahrenheit (1986), The Seventh One (1988), Kingdom of Desire (1992) and their latest one, Tambu (1995). Their songs have made several top 40 hits list.
The original group consisted of David Paich (keyboard), Jeff Porcaro (drums), Steve Porcaro (synthesizer), Steve Lukather (lead guitar), Bobby Kimbal (lead vocal) and David Hungate (bass).
Since then, Toto has undergone changes in its formation. After the successful Toto IV album in 1982, lead vocalist Bobby Kimball left and was replaced by Fergie Frederiksen (Isolation), Joseph Williams (Fahrenheit, The Seventh One), Jean-Michel Byron (Best of Toto -- Past to Present) and finally Steve Lukather (Kingdom of Desire, Tambu) as the group's leading man, together with David Paich.
The three Porcaro brothers, Jeff, Mike and Steve, were key members of the group, but as a team they have only produced one album, Fahrenheit.
Toto's strength last night was in its improvisations and ability to communicate with its audience. When the group came with I'll be over you from its album Fahrenheit, the audience sang with them and almost everybody lit their lighters or matches, creating an emotional bond between the performers and the spectators.
For this number, the group's new drummer, Simon Phillips, who replaced Jeff Porcaro, went solo to the thrill of the audience.
And as the show progressed, the number of people continued to increase. According to the promoters, Indo Mugi Pratama and Sunvic Production, over 80 percent of the tickets were sold, but they did not say how many tickets were on offer.
Indeed, it was quite a change to see Toto perform last night. For once there were no incidents. Security was tight, but there were no reported gate-crashers.
The group closed the show with style, singing Don't stop me now, bringing the 15-song concert to an end at exactly 10:10 p.m. (Poppy Senduk)