Biography
David Paich earned Grammy recognition across multiple disciplines as a vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer while establishing himself as a founding member and chief composer of the rock band Toto. His contributions propelled several of the group’s signature tracks, among them “Hold the Line,” “Rosanna,” and “Africa,” the last of which propelled Toto IV to a top-five placement on the Billboard 200 in 1982 and secured the Album of the Year honor. He participated in every Toto release and simultaneously built a parallel career supplying sessions, songs, and production for Boz Scaggs, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Cher, and numerous others before issuing his debut solo album, Forgotten Toys, in 2022.
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1954, Paich was raised alongside his sister in a household shaped by his father, jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Marty Paich, and mother Lorraine Paich. Marty Paich placed his son at the piano at age eight; Sheldon Steinberg provided private instruction through Paich’s school years. After high school Paich enrolled as a music major at the University of Southern California and continued studies with George Tremblay. Upon completing his degree he entered the professional arena as a session musician and songwriter. He and his father received the 1974 Emmy for Best Song or Theme for “Light The Way,” composed for the Ironside episode “Once More For Joey.” His first Grammy arrived for co-writing Boz Scaggs’ 1976 hit “Lowdown.”
In 1977 Paich joined childhood friends drummer Jeff Porcaro, guitarist Steve Lukather, and Porcaro’s brothers—keyboardist Steve and bassist Mike—to form Toto. Their self-titled 1978 debut yielded the top-five single “Hold the Line,” while Hydra (1979) and Turn Back (1981) each reached the upper half of the Billboard 200. Global recognition arrived with the 1982 album Toto IV, whose lead single “Africa” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and whose follow-up “Rosanna” peaked at number two; the record itself climbed to number four on the Billboard 200 and captured five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Paich appeared on all fourteen of the band’s original studio albums and helped supply the soundtrack for David Lynch’s 1983 film adaptation of Dune. The entire group entered the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009.
Beyond Toto, Paich produced Aretha Franklin’s chart-topping 1977 R&B single “Break It to Me Gently.” Long acquainted with Quincy Jones and David Foster, he contributed to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. In 1989 he produced and arranged Patti Austin’s Oscar-nominated “The Girl Who Used to Be Me,” written by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the motion picture Shirley Valentine. As songwriter, arranger, or instrumentalist he has also worked with Cher, Rod Stewart, Seals & Crofts, The Jacksons, Steely Dan, George Benson, Glen Campbell, the Doobie Brothers, Jon Anderson, Chicago, Elton John, Sarah Vaughan, Randy Newman, P!nk, and additional artists.
Following the conclusion of Toto’s final tour in 2019, guitarist Lukather revived the band in 2020; Paich continues as a legacy member and periodic onstage participant. His solo project Forgotten Toys appeared in 2022 under the production of Joseph Williams and featured the single “Spirit of the Moonrise” along with appearances by Williams, Lukather, Brian Eno, Michael McDonald, Ray Parker, Jr., Don Felder, and Steve Jordan.
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1954, Paich was raised alongside his sister in a household shaped by his father, jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Marty Paich, and mother Lorraine Paich. Marty Paich placed his son at the piano at age eight; Sheldon Steinberg provided private instruction through Paich’s school years. After high school Paich enrolled as a music major at the University of Southern California and continued studies with George Tremblay. Upon completing his degree he entered the professional arena as a session musician and songwriter. He and his father received the 1974 Emmy for Best Song or Theme for “Light The Way,” composed for the Ironside episode “Once More For Joey.” His first Grammy arrived for co-writing Boz Scaggs’ 1976 hit “Lowdown.”
In 1977 Paich joined childhood friends drummer Jeff Porcaro, guitarist Steve Lukather, and Porcaro’s brothers—keyboardist Steve and bassist Mike—to form Toto. Their self-titled 1978 debut yielded the top-five single “Hold the Line,” while Hydra (1979) and Turn Back (1981) each reached the upper half of the Billboard 200. Global recognition arrived with the 1982 album Toto IV, whose lead single “Africa” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and whose follow-up “Rosanna” peaked at number two; the record itself climbed to number four on the Billboard 200 and captured five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Paich appeared on all fourteen of the band’s original studio albums and helped supply the soundtrack for David Lynch’s 1983 film adaptation of Dune. The entire group entered the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009.
Beyond Toto, Paich produced Aretha Franklin’s chart-topping 1977 R&B single “Break It to Me Gently.” Long acquainted with Quincy Jones and David Foster, he contributed to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. In 1989 he produced and arranged Patti Austin’s Oscar-nominated “The Girl Who Used to Be Me,” written by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the motion picture Shirley Valentine. As songwriter, arranger, or instrumentalist he has also worked with Cher, Rod Stewart, Seals & Crofts, The Jacksons, Steely Dan, George Benson, Glen Campbell, the Doobie Brothers, Jon Anderson, Chicago, Elton John, Sarah Vaughan, Randy Newman, P!nk, and additional artists.
Following the conclusion of Toto’s final tour in 2019, guitarist Lukather revived the band in 2020; Paich continues as a legacy member and periodic onstage participant. His solo project Forgotten Toys appeared in 2022 under the production of Joseph Williams and featured the single “Spirit of the Moonrise” along with appearances by Williams, Lukather, Brian Eno, Michael McDonald, Ray Parker, Jr., Don Felder, and Steve Jordan.
Albums
