David Paich
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.
David Paich
David Frank Paich
June 25, 1954
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Musician
- songwriter
- singer
- record producer
- Keyboards
- vocals
1973–present
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[edit]
Toto[edit]
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[edit]
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.