DAVID PAICH

Toto’s co-founder – and the man behind some of their biggest songs – discusses his prog-friendly solo debut, his love of ELP and why he’s changing up his live rigs.

Words: Tim Batcup Portrait: Alessandro Solca

Six Grammys, one Emmy, 40 million sales: keyboardist, songwriter, producer, singer, not to mention crack session man, Toto’s David Paich has chalked up a fulsome career, rich in both breadth and success. Working with such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Joan Baez, Ray Charles, Elton John and a plethora of other A-listers, Paich also co-wrote and sang Toto’s hit single Africa – asong with exceedingly long legs. Amassing a host of extremely talented friends along the way, and immersed in a life of music, Paich’s musical history touches on all corners of modern rock and pop. But prog?

Now releasing his debut solo album at the age of 68, we caught up with the affable Paich at his home in LA County.