Toto isn't in Kansas, the Eighties or demand anymore, but -- what the hell -- if Bad Company and Asia can reunite, then so too can they. To clarify, Toto wasn't exactly defunct, but Bobby Kimball, the singer/songwriter behind such hits as "Rosanna," "Africa" and "Hold the Line," had been AWOL from the group for the past fifteen years pursuing an unheralded solo career. Now Kimball is back with the same lineup (with drumming virtuoso Simon Phillips in place of the late Jeff Porcaro) that recorded its breakthrough, 1982's Toto IV.

According to Toto manager Mark Hartley, the reformed band will tour in "most of the territories outside the U.S." beginning the last week in February, with one show per country in ten to fifteen thousand seat venues. The tour will support the February international release of Mindfields, a new studio album that has yet to receive a firm release date in the U.S.

Thus far there are no plans for Toto to tour in the States, but the group has been contacted by Styx's management with a preliminary offer to join them on the road this year. Styx, for those keeping score, will embark on a spring and summer tour in support of the tentatively titled A Brave New World, their first studio album with singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw since 1983's Kilroy Was Here. Other Eighties acts in contention to share Styx's sojourn include Journey, Foreigner and Eddie Money.

BLAIR R. FISCHER
(Jan. 5, 1998)