David Paich

Last updated

David Paich
David Paich behind his keyboards.jpg
Paich in 2003
Background information
Birth nameDavid Frank Paich
Born (1954-06-25) June 25, 1954 (age 69)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • singer
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • vocals
Years active1973–present
Member of Toto
Spouse(s)
Lorraine Paich
​
(m. 1984)​

David Frank Paich (born June 25, 1954) is an American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, principal songwriter, keyboardist, and secondary vocalist of the rock band Toto since 1977. He wrote or co-wrote much of Toto's original material, including the band's three most popular songs: "Hold the Line", "Rosanna", and "Africa". With Toto, Paich has contributed to 17 albums and sold over 40 million records. He and guitarist and singer Steve Lukather are the only members to appear on every studio album.

Contents

In addition, Paich has worked as a songwriter, session musician, and producer with a host of artists including Helen Reddy, Boz Scaggs, and Michael Jackson.

Paich is the son of jazz composer, musician, and arranger Marty Paich. [1]

Career

Toto

A prolific writer of chart-performing songs (13 Top40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100), Paich wrote or co-wrote such tracks as "Hold the Line", "99", "Lowdown", "Lido Shuffle", "Georgy Porgy", "Rosanna", "Hydra", "Holyanna", "Pamela", "Got To Be Real", "Lady Love Me (One More Time)", and "Miss Sun". He also performed lead vocals on the Toto hits "Africa", "Lovers in the Night", and "Stranger in Town".

Paich remained with Toto from the beginning of the band in 1977 until 2004, then performed on only a few shows until their disbandment in 2008. Session keyboardist Greg Phillinganes joined Toto in 2003 as an additional keyboardist for both studio projects and tour dates. In 2010, Paich resumed performing with Toto, and until mid-2018 was one of the band's keyboard players, alongside fellow original member Steve Porcaro.

With Toto in between legs of its 2018 40 Trips Around the Sun (40th anniversary) tour, the band announced via its official website on July 20, 2018, that Paich "will not be performing on the band's planned North American tour [lasting from July 30-November 17]. The recent European appearances [February 11-April 8] took a toll on his personal well-being... He plans on focusing on his health, and looks forward to returning to the road when ready to do so." Guitarist Steve Lukather later stated that Paich's absence stemmed partially from an apparent seizure he suffered on the bus during the band's early 2018 European tour. [2]

Paich returned to the stage with Toto for the opening and closing shows of their 2019 US tour, reportedly their last, on September 20 in Los Angeles and October 20 in Philadelphia. [3] In both instances, Paich joined the band at the end of the show to play keyboards and sing on "Africa" and "Home of the Brave". The band dissolved at the end of the tour, however, before he could make a full return. Toto reformed in 2020 with Lukather and singer Joseph Williams fronting a new band. Paich is no longer able to tour full-time, but remains a member of the band as its musical director and a guest performer whenever his health allows. [4] [5] David made a guest appearance in Amsterdam, the 15th of July 2022 for 5 songs only. [6]

Session and side projects

He has co-writing credits with Boz Scaggs on the songs "What Can I Say", "Lowdown", and "Lido Shuffle" from the multi-platinum album Silk Degrees , and occasionally still sits in on keyboards with Boz Scaggs' band. As songwriter he wrote or co-wrote songs for Cher, [7] [8] The Jacksons, [9] Andy Williams, [10] George Benson, [11] Glen Campbell, [12] Boz Scaggs, [13] Jon Anderson [14] (Yes), Cherie & Marie Currie, [15] [16] and Chicago. [17] As arranger he worked for Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin, Donna Summer, the Doobie Brothers, Sheryl Crow and many more.

In 1977, Paich produced the No. 1 R&B hit "Break It to Me Gently" by Aretha Franklin.

David Paich, Michael Jackson, Marty Paich in 1991 David Paich. Michael Jackson, Marty Paich.jpg
David Paich, Michael Jackson, Marty Paich in 1991

In the early and mid-1980s, Paich often worked with well-known producers Quincy Jones and David Foster. Paich was a part of the session group on the Michael Jackson album Thriller . He played piano, synthesizer, and did some synth and rhythm arrangements.

In 1982, Paich produced and arranged the song "It's A Long Road" for the film First Blood .

In 1989, Paich produced and arranged the Oscar-nominated song "The Girl Who Used to Be Me", written by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the film Shirley Valentine and produced the song "I'll Be Holding On", written by Hans Zimmer and Will Jennings, for the film Black Rain .

In 1994, Paich was a producer on the Tramaine Hawkins album To a Higher Place which was nominated for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

In October 2009, David Paich was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame along with the other members of Toto.

Paich was the Co-Music Director for President Bill Clinton's Foundation Concert in 2011. That year Paich also performed on the all-star benefit album entitled Jazz For Japan (Avatar Records).

David was the music coordinator for 2012 Music Cares Person of the Year, Paul McCartney.

For his extraordinary contributions to the world of music, David Paich was honored with the 2013 South-South Award for Lifetime Cultural Achievement.

As a session musician, Paich has played on numerous soundtracks and on albums by many artists, including Elkie Brooks' album Rich Man's Woman ; Bryan Adams' song "Please Forgive Me"; the Michael Jackson songs "Earth Song", "The Girl Is Mine", "Heal the World", "Stranger in Moscow", and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"; and the USA for Africa song "We Are the World", as well as work with Aretha Franklin, Boz Scaggs, Quincy Jones, Melanie Safka, Don Henley, Diana Ross, the Doobie Brothers, Neil Diamond, Seals and Crofts, Steely Dan, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Cher, Sarah Vaughan, Randy Newman, Tina Turner, the Brothers Johnson and Pink.

Paich traveled to China, where he worked composing the theme music for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2009, he sang the hit song "Africa" at the Millennium Development Goals awards in New York and co-produced a new tune for George Benson. Paich was involved with the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards as a music producer and keyboardist for the on-stage band. [18]

Solo career

In 2022, Paich announced his debut solo album titled Forgotten Toys . It was released by The Players Club (Mascot Label Group) on August 19, 2022. [19] On June 9, 2022, he released the first single titled "Spirit of the Moonrise," followed by July 14's "Queen Charade." [20]

Personal life

David Paich was born in Los Angeles, California to Hilda Lorraine Paich and Martin Louis Paich. He had one sister, Lorraine Louise Paich Cohen, who died on December 20, 2010, at age 58. She was a survivor of a double lung transplant that took place in November 2006, and Paich took a leave of absence from Toto in 2003–2008 to help care for her. She has three credits on albums her brother David was involved in. These include two production credits, one from the 1978 Cheryl Lynn self-titled debut album David produced, and one from the 1981 Sarah Vaughan album titled Songs Of The Beatles . She was also credited as providing vocals on the Toto song "Struck By Lightning" from their 2018 studio album Old Is New. His mother, Hilda, died in 1979, and his father, Marty, died on August 12, 1995. He married his wife, Lorraine, in 1984 and they have one daughter together named Elizabeth, who was born on November 4, 1989.

Awards

Related Research Articles

The 25th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 23, 1983, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Lukather</span> American musician (born 1957)

Steven Lee "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer, best known as the sole continuous founding member of the rock band Toto. His reputation as a skilled guitarist led to a steady flow of session work beginning in the 1970s that has since established him as a prolific session musician, recording guitar tracks for more than 1,500 albums spanning a broad array of artists and genres. He has also contributed to albums and hit singles as a songwriter, arranger and producer. Notably, Lukather played guitar on Boz Scaggs' albums Down Two Then Left (1977) and Middle Man (1980), and was a prominent contributor to several studio albums by Michael Jackson, including Thriller (1982). Lukather has released nine solo albums, the latest of which, Bridges, was released in June 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toto (band)</span> American rock band

Toto is an American pop rock band formed in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. Toto combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, hard rock, R&B, blues, and jazz. Having released 14 studio albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide, the group has received several Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.

<i>Isolation</i> (Toto album) 1984 studio album by Toto

Isolation is the fifth studio album by American rock band Toto, released on October 18, 1984. Isolation is the first album to feature longtime bassist Mike Porcaro and the only album with Fergie Frederiksen as the primary vocalist. Isolation failed to achieve the popularity of its predecessor, Toto IV, although it achieved gold record status and gave the band their highest charting mainstream rock single "Stranger in Town". Relatively few songs from this album were featured in live performances after 1985's Isolation World Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boz Scaggs</span> American musician

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Porcaro</span> American drummer (1954–1992)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Phillinganes</span> American keyboardist and session musician

Gregory Arthur Phillinganes is an American keyboardist and arranger. A session musician, Phillinganes has contributed to numerous albums over a broad array of artists and genres. He has toured with artists including Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Toto, was musical director for Michael Jackson, and has released two solo studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Hungate</span> American bassist

David Hungate is an American bass guitarist noted as a member of the Los Angeles pop-rock band Toto from 1976 to 1982 and again from 2014 to 2015, and the son of judge William L. Hungate. Along with most of his Toto bandmates, Hungate did sessions on a number of hit albums of the 1970s, including Boz Scaggs's Silk Degrees and Alice Cooper's From the Inside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Porcaro</span> American keyboardist and composer

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<i>Silk Degrees</i> 1976 studio album by Boz Scaggs

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25th Anniversary: Live in Amsterdam is a live album by Toto, released in 2003, in the 25th anniversary of the band. And this was also the band's last live album to feature keyboardist/vocalist David Paich and bassist Mike Porcaro; Paich, before his semi-retirement from touring in 2005 until his return to the band in 2010 with Greg Phillinganes taking his place, and Porcaro, before his retirement from touring due to a ALS four years later and his death on March 15, 2015.

<i>Middle Man</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Boz Scaggs

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanna (song)</span> 1982 single by Toto

"Rosanna" is a song written by David Paich and performed by the American rock band Toto, the opening track and the first single from their 1982 album Toto IV. This song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 1983 ceremony. "Rosanna" was also nominated for the Song of the Year award. It is regarded for the half-time shuffle which drummer Jeff Porcaro developed for the song. The groove has become an important staple of drum repertoire and is commonly known as the "Rosanna shuffle".

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowdown (Boz Scaggs song)</span> 1976 single by Boz Scaggs

"Lowdown" is a song originally recorded in 1976 by Boz Scaggs from his album Silk Degrees. The song was co-written by Scaggs and keyboardist David Paich. Paich, along with fellow "Lowdown" session musicians bassist David Hungate and drummer Jeff Porcaro, would later go on to form the band Toto.

<i>Hits!</i> (Boz Scaggs album) 1980 greatest hits album by Boz Scaggs

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Sun</span> 1980 single by Boz Scaggs

"Miss Sun" is a 1980 hit for Boz Scaggs first recorded in 1977 by David Paich along with David Hungate, Steve Lukather, and Jeff Porcaro.

David Garfield is an American keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer.

References

  1. ↑ "David Paich of Toto : Songwriter Interviews". www.songfacts.com.
  2. ↑ "TOTO Rejoined By Keyboardist DAVID PAICH At Philadelphia Concert (Video)". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. October 21, 2019.
  3. ↑ Greene, Andy (October 21, 2019). "Watch Toto Reunite With 'Africa' Singer David Paich at Final Show for 'Foreseeable Future'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ "STEVE LUKATHER AND JOSEPH WILLIAMS ANNOUNCE NEW TOTO LINE-UP AND PLANS TO BRING THE DOGZ OF OZ TOUR WORLDWIDE – TOTO". totoofficial.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Toto Reform With New Lineup, Plot 'Dogz of Oz' World Tour". rollingstone.com. October 19, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Toto reunites with David Paich in Amsterdam".
  7. ↑ "Cher - Prisoner". Discogs. October 22, 1979.
  8. ↑ "Prisoner - Cher - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  9. ↑ "Victory - The Jacksons - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  10. ↑ "Andy & David - The Williams Brothers - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  11. ↑ "In Your Eyes - George Benson - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  12. ↑ "Houston (I'm Comin' to See You) - Glen Campbell - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  13. ↑ "Hits! - Boz Scaggs - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  14. ↑ "In the City of Angels - Jon Anderson - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  15. ↑ "Cherie And Marie Currie* - Messin' With The Boys". Discogs. November 13, 1980.
  16. ↑ "Messin' with the Boys - Cherie & Marie Currie - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  17. ↑ "Chicago 16 - Chicago - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  18. ↑ Bolden 2009.
  19. ↑ Group, Mascot Label. "Forgotten Toys (Ltd. Signed)". Mascot Label Group. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Toto's David Paich Previews New Solo Record 'Forgotten Toys' with "Queen Charade"; LP Out 8/19". Rock Cellar Magazine. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Ironside".

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