Michael Jackson's "Thriller" - It was Toto Album...

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by gener8tr, Feb 7, 2014.

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  1. ModernDayWarrior

    ModernDayWarrior Senior Member

    Thats funny, I heard the same thing about Rush when I was in high school.
     
  2. Uri Cohen

    Uri Cohen Forum Resident

    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL
    Toto would had better albums if more people enjoyed the Hydra material. I mean we know that IV saved them from their record contact, but come on! There are only so much love songs people can handle before you will go NUTS!
     
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  3. krock2009

    krock2009 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    I often find myself saying "That's Jeff Porcaro" when I hear his drums.
     
  4. krock2009

    krock2009 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    That was more of a testament to Jeff Porcaro's genius than Toto. Toto were musically sound, but lyrically mediocre.
     
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  5. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    Agreed. There's talent and there's style. Porcaro had both.
     
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  6. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    Not sure I believe "RS" ever wanted to put Toto on the cover. They were rather "faceless" and unlikely to sell many magazines, and I don't think "RS" put other bands in the same domain on the cover - I couldn't find out where acts like Boston and Journey and Foreigner but I don't think they did.

    As told in the interview, Lukather has made it impossible to be proven wrong, as he claims that even if Wenner and "RS" deny their desire for Toto to be on the cover, he knows it's true. Unless Wenner says "yeah, we wanted Toto on the cover", it's a no-win proposition.

    I'm in the category that Lukather's story is an exaggeration, if not an outright fabrication. Maybe "RS" wanted to do an article on the band, but I don't think the mag would've put Toto on the cover...
     
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  7. rockledge

    rockledge Forum Resident

    Location:
    right here
    Damn.... now THAT is BAD...
    That's like saying he lacks the looks of Quasimodo.
     
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  8. Yeah, I suspect the truth is closer to, Lukather was in bed balled up in a fetal position surrounded by RS issues and sobbing "Please Jan, give us a cover..."
     
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  9. mrbobdobalina

    mrbobdobalina Forum Resident

    Location:
    Not here
    Only Toto song I ever dug was Georgy Porgy. Love them on Boz Scaggs' Silk Degrees, though. I can take or leave Thriller. Usually leave.
     
  10. PH416156

    PH416156 Alea Iacta Est

    Location:
    Europe
    When the "Africa" video was launched, MTV was already active, but you're right. Image has become more and more important.
    Nowadays, guys like Bobby Kimball or Boston's Brad Delp, one of the most incredible vocalists ever, would never get signed by a record label.
    That's why we got Milli Vanilli at some point.

    ha ha, gott show'em some Geddy footage.
    ...back to the Toto video, in "Africa" Kimball is not even featured prominently.
    I am waiting for the day my female friends can see the "Hold the line" video, for a full Kimball-fest.
     
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  11. bruce2

    bruce2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Connecticut, USA
    Did Jeff in fact drum on Cherish? I love the groove and it is easily my favorite from its album.
     
  12. bruce2

    bruce2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Connecticut, USA
    I listen to most Toto albums more than I do Thriller.
     
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  13. ginchopolis

    ginchopolis Forum Resident

    Location:
    ginchopolis, usa
    Why not? The album won 6 Grammys and sold millions. Total cover story fodder. "These guys are all over the radio and just won 6 Grammys, but who are they?" Why would it would be a photo? I can easily see an illustration of the band (even just their backs or silhouettes) walking down the yellow brick road toward a Grammy representing Emerald City. Or "Somewhere Over The Radio". "If They Only Had Respect." Some dumb Wizard Of Oz pun.

    Take a look at the RS covers from 1982. Far less than half actually feature music. Makes sense that in 1983, they were looking for music stories to put on the cover...
     
  14. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    We'll never know the truth, but I simply think that if "RS" never put Boston or Journey on the cover - bands that I believe were much more popular than Toto - I find it hard to believe they'd want to run a cover story about a faceless band of studio musicians. Heck, Foreigner and REO were HUGE in 1981/82 - and allegedly Wenner loved Foreigner - but neither of them made the cover, as far as I can tell.

    "RS" didn't have to look for music stories to put on the cover - if they went with non-music, that was out of choice, not necessity. There were tons of likely musical acts who could've been on the cover.

    Toto sold records but I don't think they would've sold magazines. Getting on the cover of a magazine isn't about merit - it's about sales, and I simply find it tough to imagine a cover story about Toto would've moved the needle.
     
  15. drbryant

    drbryant Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    What a ridiculous position to take regarding Thriller. He's a studio musician, as are the other members of Toto. It's as much a Toto album as it is a Seawind album, which is to say, it isn't. I don't think I've ever heard that Toto arranged any of the instrumental music on Thriller. I thought it was Quincy Jones and Jerry Hey.

    Anyway, can you imagine if Pauliho da Costa went on the internet and demanded recognition for the 25 zillion records he's played percussion on?
     
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  16. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    Watching that interview makes me think Lukather has a huge honkin' chip on his shoulder...
     
  17. Oliver

    Oliver Bourbon Infused

    Isn't that part of the deal though when you do session work? I find it a bit unprofessional (for a guy that is supposed to be such a professional musician) for him to come out and complain. It would be totally different of course if they weren't credited on the album (which of course they were). You are doing work with legendary superstar Michael Jackson-did he really expect Michael to say on all of his press interviews for Thriller that "sure, I am happy with the album but I owe all of my success to members of the band TOTO! Give it Up for Toto!!!!!Sing it!,I Bless the Rains down in Africa!!!!......
     
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  18. ginchopolis

    ginchopolis Forum Resident

    Location:
    ginchopolis, usa
    6 Grammys and 3 million copies?

    What part of that are you missing?

    Are The Grammys not "The Best" of music, much as the Emmys, Tonys and Oscars are?
     
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  19. citizensmurf

    citizensmurf Ambient postpunk will never die

    Location:
    Calgary
    I didn't even think about it until I saw that episode of "Yacht Rock". No disrespect to Toto, but they did not make Thriller, they contributed to it. Thriller is a Michael Jackson album, and the only reason people bought it is because of MJ.

    If you desperately want recognition from the press and the public, you need to be a star. If you are happy making music, then just make music. Unrecognized talent is almost a proverb.

    Look at films, many people can name famous directors, but not many can list off the producers of those films. Yet there is a reason the producers accept the Oscar for best film. The industry and your peers will recognize your contributions, but the public wants to be dazzled by stars.
     
  20. Raf

    Raf Senior Member

    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    IloveMichael28-2650189_650_451.jpg From Clipboard.jpg
    I can see how people might confuse the two.
     
  21. drbryant

    drbryant Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    How do we know it was really Toto? Maybe it was these Japanese guys.

     
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  22. maui_musicman

    maui_musicman Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Kihei, Hi USA
    I don't think he's that worried.....it came up in an interview. Obviously pissing Jan Wenner off has it's consequences in the music biz.
     
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  23. maui_musicman

    maui_musicman Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Kihei, Hi USA
    It came up in an interview with a type A personality. If somebody interviewed me, I'd tell them I deserved more credit for my music than it got too. I do not believe Steve has made it his life's mission to get more glory for his groups studio work, but I do see his point.
     
  24. PaulKTF

    PaulKTF Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    It's a Michael Jackson album. Why does the guy think he should get any more credit than he's already gotten? Sounds like he has a bit of an ego.
     
  25. ginchopolis

    ginchopolis Forum Resident

    Location:
    ginchopolis, usa
    I shouldn't be here (as people rarely read the OP and just respond to the thread title), but I'm shocked at how many people didn't listen to the interview to see what was actually said before responding.
     
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