“The greatest prog rock piece ever written,” according to Steve Lukather
Fight as you might, deny all you like, but some things are undeniable. In the expansive realm of rock music, few bands have carved a path as rich and enduring as Toto. The group are a perpetually unfashionable band who have one of the densest careers ever. While pop hits were quickly a part of their legacy, it was their expertise that made them legends.
Formed in the late 1970s, this group of virtuoso musicians were unlike any other band. Usually, bands felt like a roving gang of miscreants, but Toto were different.
They were pieced together from some of the best session musicians of the era. As a unit, they created a musical legacy that transcends eras, captivating audiences with their exceptional musicianship, diverse soundscapes, and chart-topping hits.
Toto emerged from the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles in 1976, bringing together a group of immensely talented session musicians. The band comprised David Paich, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, David Hungate, and later, a rotating lineup of equally proficient musicians.
Toto quickly rose to prominence, propelled by Lukather’s exceptional guitar work, contributing to the band’s chart-topping hits and Grammy-winning albums. His intricate yet soulful guitar solos, melodic phrasing, and ability to effortlessly blend various genres – from rock and pop to jazz and blues – became hallmarks of his playing style.
Beyond his work with Toto, Lukather’s versatility as a musician became evident through collaborations with a myriad of artists. His guitar prowess graced numerous albums by renowned musicians, including Michael Jackson, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, and countless others. Lukather’s collaborations extended to studio sessions, where his guitar work became a sought-after element in the music production landscape.
When picking his own musical favourites, Lukather regards only one prog rock song as the greatest of all time: ‘Close To The Edge’ by his favourite band, Yes. “This is the greatest prog-rock piece ever written,” he claimed. “And man, Steve Howe was a hero of mine back then. There was no one like him, and the band was so tight. I saw them live many times in the old days and saw the ‘Close to the Edge’ tour, too. They sounded just like the record, and man, there was no fakery possible than it was in the band, which was very cool.”
Adding: “The live production, just everything, the live sound, the album sounds; all of it was insanely cool! This album is truly genius, and everyone shines on it. It’s timeless music!”
Leading man of Yes, Jon Anderson said of the track’s lyrics: “The lyrics, ‘Season witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace,’ I realised what I was singing was all about the idea that your higher self will always save you if you keep your heart in the right place.”
As part of a radio show, Yes Music: An Evening With Jon Anderson, the singer explained: “The end verse is a dream that I had a long time ago about passing on from this world to another world, yet feeling so fantastic about it that death never frightened me ever since. That’s what seemed to come out in this song, that it was a very pastoral kind of experience rather than a very frightening one.”
Yes emerged in the late 1960s and became one of the most influential groups within the prog rock genre. Known for their complex compositions, virtuosic musicianship, and a fusion of rock, classical, and symphonic elements, Yes carved a unique space in the music world and left their mark on many more like Lukather.
Like Toto, the band crossed paths with many greats during their tenure. Although the band no longer includes its founding members, it retains key figures from its classic era: Steve Howe on guitar and Geoff Downes on keyboards. The lineup also features Billy Sherwood on bass, Jon Davison handling vocals, and Jay Schellen on drums.
