by Steve Porcaro recently opened up about his departure from Toto in the late 1980s. In an interview with Music Radar, he explained how the band’s image shifted during the grunge era and how the changing music landscape influenced his decision.
Porcaro addressed the circumstances surrounding his break from the band. He clarified that there was no conflict involved.
“There was no big fall-out when I took a break from the band,” Porcaro said. “It was the late-’80s and grunge/Nirvana was about to happen. Along with Journey, REO Speedwagon and Foreigner, we’d been lumped-in with the whole Corporate Rawk thing. We weren’t ‘cool’.”
The keyboardist went on to describe how Toto’s musical direction no longer aligned with his role in the band.
“Toto were talking about getting back to a more rootsy, basic sound and they didn’t really need some guy noodling around with weird noises on synths – which was kind of my job,” he continued. “So, I said, ‘Is it OK if I go and do this other bunch of stuff?’”
Porcaro’s departure marked the end of an era for the band. He had been instrumental in shaping Toto’s signature sound during their most successful period.
A Breath of Fresh Air reported that Porcaro’s keyboard work and songwriting contributions were crucial to Toto’s million-selling 1982 album Toto IV. The album won multiple Grammy Awards and featured major hits such as “Rosanna” and “Africa.” His skill for crafting memorable melodies extended beyond Toto. He co-wrote and co-produced the Michael Jackson hit “Human Nature” from the Thriller album in 1982.
After leaving Toto in the late 1980s, Porcaro successfully transitioned into a new phase of his career. Apple Music noted that he launched a career in film and television scoring while becoming a sought-after session musician. He contributed to projects including Yes’s Union album and Jefferson Airplane’s 1989 reunion album. He was also part of The Chris Squire Experiment in 1992.
The band’s struggle with changing musical tastes in the late 1980s ultimately led to their temporary disbanding. Wikipedia documented that Toto disbanded in 1988 after releasing seven albums. The music scene shifted toward grunge’s rawer, less-polished sound compared to Toto’s heavily produced style from the 1980s. The band later reformed with various lineup changes and continued touring and recording while maintaining their signature blend of rock, pop, and jazz fusion elements.
Porcaro eventually returned to perform with Toto from around 2010 onwards after the band reformed. He contributed keyboards, drum programming, synthesizers, and arranging in both touring and studio work. The interview also covers Porcaro’s work with Michael Jackson and his new solo album.
