Boz Scaggs’ 5 million seller ‘Silk Degrees’ was the first time members of Toto got together.
Boz selected L.A. session musicians David Hungate, Jeff Porcaro and David Paich to play on his 1975 ‘Silk Degrees’ album. Hungate incited Steve Lukather and Steve Porcaro to join the sessions and that nucleus of Boz Scaggs backing band went on to become Toto.
Paich was also the co-writer five ‘Silk Degrees’ songs including ‘What Can I Say’ and ‘Lowdown’. He also wrote ‘Love Me Tomorrow’.
Boz Scaggs agrees he is the father of Toto. “I think I was to some degree,” he tells Noise11.com. “They had been friends and played as young men and boys in high school. They were making their way in the L.A. sessions scene as young prodigies. They were known as excellent players. By recording with me and having the success that we had on that album and then touring with me, I think that it really solidified them. It gave them a clear path to what was to follow, recording as Toto. I remain friends with them. I think it was a beginning for us all in a certain way”.
Scaggs hand selected the musicians for the Silk Degrees session. “I took some suggestions. I talked to several people to talk about the players,” he said. “On several different directions I was directed towards these guys, Jeff Porcaro the drummer in particular. Jeff was allied with his best friend David Paich who was a keyboard player and arranger. The third member of that wheel was the bass player named David Hungate. The three of them were augmented with a couple of guitar players who they were good friends with. It was there recommendation to bring in those two guitar players. There was an Australian resident now, Louis Shelton the guitar player”.
Listen to the Noise11 Boz Scaggs interview
Boz Scaggs will perform at Deni Blues & Roots festival and Bluesfest this weekend.
Boz Scaggs Sydney April 12, 2014 SETLIST
Runnin’ Blue (from Boz Scaggs & Band, 1971)
Mixed Up Shook Up Girl (from Memphis, 2013)
Dry Spell (from Memphis, 2013)
Rainy Night In Georgia (from Memphis, 2013)
Gone Baby Gone (from Memphis, 2013)
Jojo (from Middle Man, 1980)
Georgia (from Silk Degrees, 1975)
Harbor Lights (from Silk Degrees, 1975)
Sick & Tired (from Come On Home, 1997)
Miss Sun (from Hits, 1980)
Thank You (Sly & The Family Stone cover)
Lowdown (from Silk Degrees, 1975)
Lido Shuffle (from Silk Degrees, 1975)
What Can I Say (from Silk Degrees, 1975)
Loan Me A Dime (from Boz Scaggs, 1969)
Boz Scaggs – Lowdown
Listen to Boz Scaggs radio at iHeartRadio
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