Five-time Grammy award winner Michael McDonald and world renowned ensemble Toto bring their co-headlining tour to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 28 at 10 a.m.
McDonald and the members of Toto are old friends, dating back years prior to the singer’s appearance on Toto’s “I’ll Be Over You,” from the Farenheit album in 1986. Toto members Mike Porcaro, JeffPorcaro and Luke collaborated with McDonald on his RIAA gold certified solo debut If That’s What It Takes (1982). The trio all performed on “That’s Why” and “No Such Luck,” while Jeff laid down the drums and Luke contributed guitar on “I Keep Forgettin’.” Lukather also played on “I Gotta Try” and “Believe In It.” In 1977, Keyboardist David Paich arranged horns and strings on the Doobie Brothers “Livin’ on the Fault Line.” Even earlier, in 1972, Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro extended the invitation to McDonald to join Steely Dan.
Michael McDonald’s distinctive and soulful voice, songwriting and keyboard skills have shaped his reputation as a musical powerhouse for the past four decades. From ‘70s-era Doobie Brothers classics such as What A Fool Believes and solo hits like “I Keep Forgettin’,” through two highly-acclaimedMotown covers albums and recent genre-busting guest spots with alternative buzz bands Grizzly Bear and Holy Ghost, the five-time Grammy-winning McDonald is that rare thing in contemporary pop – an artist whose work is both timeless and ever-evolving.
In the early ‘70s, McDonald joined Steely Dan. Over the course of four classic albums, from Katy Liedto Gaucho, McDonald became an integral part of the group’s sound, contributing backing vocals on classic tracks like “Rose Darling,” “Any World That I’m Welcome To” and “Peg.” In the mid-‘70s, McDonald joined The Doobie Brothers, helping the band redefine their funky R & B sound as a singer, keyboardist and songwriter on such Top 40 singles as “Takin’ It To The Streets” and “Minute By Minute.”
His unique vocal style also made him one of the world’s most sought-after session singers. Beyond his hits with The Doobies, McDonald has lent his voice to records by an A-Z of artists, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell and Vince Gill. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, his solo career zoomed from success to success on the wings of evergreen hits like On My Own (a duet with Patti LaBelle) and the Grammy-winning duet with James Ingram Yah Mo B There.
Continuing to explore new vistas, in 2003 and 2004, McDonald released his Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling pair of Motown albums. Then in 2005, he partnered with Hallmark for a special Christmas album, Through The Many Winters, which sold 500,000 copies in its first two weeks. In 2008 McDonald released acclaimed crossover album Soul Speak. In May 2011, McDonald received an honorary doctorate from Berklee School of Music.
Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of Toto. As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5,000 albums that together amass a sales history of a half a billion albums. Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with more than 200 Grammy nominations.
With over 35 years together and thousands of credits and accolades to their names, Toto remains one of the top selling tour and recording acts in the world. They are the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire music community, being simply synonymous with musical credibility.
Tickets cost $74, $64 & $54.* all seats are reserved for reserved seats, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.myhrl.com, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply.