Why Toto’s Lineup Keeps Shifting — Steve Lukather Breaks It Down

Steve Lukather is speaking out against detractors who question the authenticity of Toto’s present-day lineup. As the band approaches its 50th anniversary, the guitarist stands as the sole remaining founding member still touring. David Paich no longer performs regularly, vocalist Joseph Williams joined in 1986, and the rest of the group is composed of seasoned touring musicians.

In a recent interview on the Rockonteurs podcast, Lukather addressed the criticism head-on.

“I really want to make a big point of this, because I take a lot of shit for it from certain people,” he said. “I know what we’re doing now is not the original band. Lord knows I wish it could be. It could be intact and everybody healthy, and we could still be doing it. But as the years went, we went through some tragic losses. And after that, we persevered.”

Navigating Tragedy and Transformation

Over the decades, Toto has experienced continual changes, but none were more devastating than the loss of drummer and co-founder Jeff Porcaro in 1992. Lukather explained that Porcaro’s passing left the band unsure whether they could continue at all.

“When Jeff passed, we all thought, ‘Well, how are we going to carry on?’” he recalled. “Had we not made that album (1992’s) King Desire, and had tickets on sale that were sold out all over Europe, and a crew and everybody, we would have probably packed it in then. I mean, the thought of carrying on without Jeff was unthinkable. But we did. We carried on, because even if we didn’t, it wouldn’t bring [him] back.”

Despite the challenges, Toto’s persistence has helped maintain the band’s global fan base and introduced its music to newer generations through touring and reissues.

Looking Ahead: Preserving the Band’s Legacy

Toto is concluding 2025 with performances across Mexico and South America and has already laid out plans for a U.S. tour in 2026. Lukather made it clear that his continued presence in the band is not about clinging to the past, but honoring it.

“Look, I’m the last man standing from the original [lineup], but not by choice,” he said. “I know the difference between the old and the new. All I’m trying to do is keep our old music alive.”

Lukather’s commitment suggests a broader mission: ensuring that Toto’s catalog remains a living, breathing part of contemporary music culture rather than a museum piece. For him, the band’s current lineup represents continuity rather than compromise—a way to celebrate the musicians who helped build Toto while still giving audiences the chance to hear the songs performed with passion, precision, and respect. As the group moves toward its 50-year milestone, Lukather appears determined to carry the legacy forward, even if he must do it standing alone at the helm.