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Toto

Halle Tony Garnier, Lyon

Tuesday March 27th 2018

 

Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 is a date that has been written in red on my calendar for quite a time. It is not so often that I get the opportunity to go to Lyon, but once again I shall not make the most of the local gastronomy. So my weighing machine feel reassured, it is my eyes and my ears that I am going to satisfy for lack of my stomach. It is true that attending a Toto concert is too good to pass up, and that the Halle Tony Garnier will be as good as any of the best bouchons of this beautiful city. Anyway, as I’m reaching the capital of the Roman Gaul (yes, I am fond of history! …), it is already 4 o’clock in the afternoon and this is not the right time to go and taste some quenelles or any rosette de Lyon.

The Meet and Greet session is starting at 4:30 pm and on this special occasion, I’d rather be early. I know that this is going to be my only concert of the Californian group this year which explains why I don’t want to do things by half. This is also my fourth VIP session since 2012, and some kind of icing on the cake for my fourteenth Toto concert tonight.

The fan that I am necessarily feels fulfilled already, but I must admit that the author would also like to discuss that side with the group. Indeed, this is the first time I am meeting with Steve Porcaro since the publishing of my book “Let’s Make HIStory”, a collection of interviews with some collaborators of the King of Pop. The keyboardist had given me the honor to participate in this project, and I wanted to thank him personally, while taking the opportunity to give a copy of the book to Steve Lukather and David Paich, also among the collaborators of the King of Pop.

Time to go, my lord! Finally I am entering the Halle Tony Garnier with the other VIPs and I can already hear the soundcheck instruments playing. After a few minutes’ wait, we are invited to walk to the stage as the band is playing its new song “Alone”. I am standing in the front row, facing Steve Porcaro who instantly greets me. I do the same thinking that things are starting pretty well. I really enjoy seeing the band behind the scenes and David Paich behind his piano. The latter did not take part in the photos and signatures sessions of the last two Meet & Greet in Marseilles and Toulouse, so I keep hoping that he is feeling better today.

As for Steve Lukather, he still hypnotizes me with his voice, and that soundcheck of the track “I Will Remember” comforts my impression. I am nearly stuck to the speaker, but my eardrums can only appreciate since the artist grabs me by the guts. The following song however is more relaxed since it is a fan request. She would like to hear Michael Jackson’s “Beat It », for what I shall not complain. Toto’s guitarist runs, though he seems to be thinking : « Encore!? “. Still, the result is as effective as his studio performance in 1982, and I am savoring it. Not to mention that Steve Porcaro is smiling and pointing in my direction at that moment. This is really touching because he helped « making HIStory », not me… Indeed, one of his songs allows the rehearsal to last a little longer and I can also enjoy the track “Lea” facing Joseph Williams at lead singing and the composer of the song, to the point that I stay stuck to the speaker again as a privileged person, but we will find some time to deal with it later.

Time goes by at a crazy speed and we now have to go to the photo shoot with the group. I notice that David Paich is not there but I understand and tell myself that he has to preserve himself for the show. So I get near the two Steve and Joseph and the fact that Steve Porcaro greets me with a warm handshake that confirms he had actually recognized me. He introduces me to Steve Lukather as the author of Michael Jackson books, and even mentions my name! He remembers we met before and validates this with the second handshake of the day! Standing between the two Steve, I have not even seen Joseph and I greet him once the picture is taken… Better late than never…

As a matter of fact, I’m on cloud nine… This VIP session is different from the previous ones – my works as an author have been taken into account and I am not only the fan who likes to come with his pile of records to be signed.

Don’t worry, as Julio Iglesias used to sing « I’m still the same »… I still have as many of them in my backpack, even this Picture Disc of the “IV” album that I have brought for David Paich because he was the only member of the band who did not sign it during my last VIP session. Well, he won’t do it today either ! No big deal, if I ever travel back to Los Angeles, I will knock on his door and tell him we’re having a private Meet & Greet! He would sign my record, they would serve me tea while he would play “All The Tears That Shine” on his piano in the living room : what a nice program!

Please, forgive me for this joke, and let’s go back to reality since it is not so brutal. Indeed, while signing my records, Steve Porcaro confirms that he got me an Aftershow Pass. This way, we will have the opportunity to talk about the book, something that would not have been easy over the steady pace of VIP sessions. Indeed, I do not want to slow down the signing session for the fans, especially with two or three rugby props mulling over behind my back… More seriously, I think to myself that the party will be extended and I enjoy this moment, because it has never happened before in my fan experience. Therefore I am enthusiastic to hand another copy of my book to the keyboardist, feeing so honored by his invitation. I take this opportunity to also give a copy to the group’s staff, for the attention of David Paich. I do the same with Steve Lukather, but I’m not the only one to give him presents. Another fan hands him a bottle of Chartreuse (a local liquor) but the rocker is reasonable and draws his attention to my book right at the end of the VIP session. He seems to focus on some pages and I go away watching him turn them, and thinking back of my message to his attention. He remains the artist that I have seen the most performing live. Can’t wait for the next one ! Just a matter of hours now…

It is nearly time to go to our seats, and my partner Laetitia has just arrived. She could not get there sooner : one of us has to work to pay for my merchandising purchases. This tour program is beautiful, indeed – thank you, Laetitia!

Time to sit in the back stand then. I remember that seven years ago, in this same concert hall, I was standing in the front row for the first time. Am I getting wiser with age?

Absolutely not! The curtain falls and I still feel the same enthusiasm ! The band starts with “Alone”, one of the three new tracks of their compilation entitled “40 Trips Around The Sun”. Choosing this song to open the show is logical since it also starts this Best Of. Toto remains consistent in choosing the same song to introduce their album and concerts – same thing happened for “Falling In Between” and “Running Out Of Time” opening the last album and the corresponding tour. I also find some similarities between the latter and “Alone” in my personal approach to listening to a new track. It took me some time to enjoy them, but discovering them live make me realize their potential. This impression is confirmed with that new song which is pretty dynamic and stays in one’s mind with its overpowering background vocals in the chorus and encouraging to clap our hands. The tone is set : the sound of Toto in 2018 still offers as forceful as ever and the group wants to make this clear right from the beginning. Done!

No time to take a breather since David Paich’s piano now lights up and for a good cause! The man with the hat plays the first notes of “Hold The Line”. We instantly recognize this classic – it was such a hit that the band just has to play it. It was actually one of their first successful songs, from the “First Album” released in 1978. 40 years ago already ! And this is the group’s 40th year tour ! Commemorating an anniversary necessarily means looking in the rearview mirror in a spirit of theme. Some people might have moaned over previous tours saying that the trick had been done with this track but that kind of feeling is not necessarily so clear tonight… Due to this historical context, it seems obvious and perfect to play it at the beginning of the show. One way to set the tone right from the second track of the show : the spirit of this tour is a journey into the musical world and history of the band since the start of their career.

The next song starts in the same way with an introduction by the pianist. And then there was light! Just like he did during the 2010 and 2011 tours, David takes the audience to 1982 with the track “Lovers In The Night” from the “IV” album. It is a pleasure to hear it again even if David is weakened to the point that he doesn’t shout his usual “Sing Again!” and other various ad-libs that add a lot to this composition. Nevertheless, and despite his condition, he still remains forceful with his instrument. The other members of the group are not left out because this only song could summarize the whole musical world of the group. Indeed, Steve Porcaro’s synthesizer programming followed by Lukather’s guitar solos demonstrate their musical diversity. Especially since back singer Warren Ham’s saxophone goes in the direction of the original spirit of the studio version. The musician is back after playing with the band on the “Fahrenheit” tour in 1987. His presence and that of his instrument remind us of these 80s tours that included a saxophonist : a return to the roots!

The rhythm of the concert keeps a sustained pace but the ballad “Spanish Sea” is ideally set to let the audience have a short rest. Again, David Paich is asked to sing the first notes, and he does the job. If I didn’t know how he sometimes enjoys getting up from his piano for a few dance steps, I would not have believed he was that tired. This is the moment to emphasize his professionalism, although he will keep on showing his talents as a virtuoso until the end of the show. Just like on the studio version, he is supported in his singing by Joseph Williams. That’s a lovely song whose soul lies in its melody… And it seems intimately related to Paich’s musical spirit, even if the whole band was involved in its writing. This is a new track from the compilation and it can be considered as an interlude in this journey through time. There won’t be another one after that!

This digression being brought to an end, Lenny Castro’s percussions start responding to Shannon Forrest’s drums and they both launch “I Will Remember”. This song has been on the setlist of the previous tours many times, since its release on the “Tambu” album in 1995 which was the first of the group since Jeff Porcaro’s sad passing. Over the 40 years of their career, the band also went through a few ordeals and this track has the heavy burden to symbolize them and makes the audience feel melancholy in Steve Lukather’s vocal performance. He is also supported by Shem Van Shroeck and Warren Ham’s background vocals. The latter is an experienced artist with an interesting CV (Michael McDonald, David Foster, Tom Jones …). He has great vocal potential and knows how to go from Pop / Rock to Opera singing. On stage, he is using a headset because he also plays the bass. He is not an official member of the group because nobody shall really replace the late Mike Porcaro, who died in 2015. Still, he brilliantly follows Leland Sklar, Nathan East and David Hungate, an original member, who was back on the previous tour. But let’s go back to the guitar because a solo full of fierce determination concludes this song. It brings a lot more soul to the composition compared to its studio version, but this is how it has usually been brought to a close for many years.

Talking about the number of years, it had been a while since we had not heard « English Eyes ». I remembered hearing it for a fairly brief moment in a medley during the 25th anniversary tour, but this year we can enjoy a full version of just over seven minutes. This version is not in a frenzy like it was on the Live DVD in 1990, but it gets straight to the point. Years have passed and this 2018 version is necessarily more linear but it doesn’t betray the spirit of its original studio version. It thus acts as a representative of the third album entitled “Turn Back” in 1981, because it would have been unfair not to invite this record to the celebration.

It goes on with the lights on Shannon Forrest’s drum kit. The musician from Nashville embarks on a solo, allowing the audience to admire his technique. That’s also the opportunity to consider that after Simon Phillips left, the band turned to a drummer with a style closer to that of Jeff Porcaro. Especially with Shannon’s performance as an introduction to the instrumental track “Jake To The Bone”. In this context, it becomes easy to imagine the genesis of this extract from “Kingdom Of Desire” with Jeff Porcaro losing it with his instrument, in order to create. This is not the only instrumental version by the Californian band : “Do not Stop Me” and “Dave’s Gone Skiing” are other perfect examples. However, “Jake To The Bone” stands out from these compositions because it was composed by the four members of the band at the time as some kind of a fusional creation where everyone brings his technique to a collective studio work. This is how this piece of Jazz-Fusion reveals another side of Toto’s world. It is therefore a pleasure to hear it again because the technique and the precision of each instrument are essential. The result sounds as forceful as it did at Live in Montreux in 1991, where the group played it for the first time.

After this demonstration, it may be time for a little gentleness. It seems that things are heading in this direction because Luke’s technician brings on an acoustic guitar. But things do not stop there! On the right of the stage, Steve Porcaro plays some familiar notes as an introduction. Yes! This is one of his best compositions for the band, his song “Lea”! I suddenly feel like going on a trip back in time, in 1986, when “Fahrenheit” was released. With the arrival of Joseph Williams in the band, the composer had finally found a voice to sing his songs. Before that, he had always put his own voice on his own works for their previous albums. Because of this anecdote, I now focus on both musicians in order to fully catch the soul of this song, and the origin of its creation. “Lea” is so gentle and full of emotion… It is the perfect reflection of Steve Porcaro’s talents as a songwriter, and this aspect could not be left aside when you think over the last 40 years.

That doesn’t mean one has to forget the hit songs, if you know what I mean… No, you don’t? Well, Warren Ham holds his saxophone in his hands again in order to stick to the original version! Do you need another clue?!… Shannon reproduces Jeff’s shuffle technique! Yes, this is “Rosanna”, indeed ! You could only end up guessing since the band virtually has to play it ! And that seems obvious considering the reactions of the audience which intensify since the beginning of this classic track. Even in the stands, people stand up and dance, and clap their hands in reaction to the keyboard and guitar solos. We know them by heart but we never get bored with those, especially when David Paich’s jazzy final only adds to the performance. The pianist then leads us through his career and origins, and the stage remains his best outlet. He had to shape his talents, and that was well before the band’s debuts. The melodist had a great teacher in the form of his father, Marty Paich. The latter’s skills in jazz, as a pianist and an arranger, have necessarily shaped David’s learning. This is why he remained the main composer of the first albums, keeping the major hits to his credit. And there is no better example than “Rosanna” to demonstrate this.

Tracks have come one after the other since the beginning of the show but there is some kind of a brief interlude now while technicians are bringing on a new synthesizer on the left side of the stage. Steve Porcaro then makes his way to this instrument while Luke can now sit on a stool and, with an acoustic guitar in his hands, set the tone of this new and deliberately more intimate atmosphere. Thus, David Paich starts speaking to the audience about the band’s debuts and his own first sessions with Luke, Steve and Jeff Porcaro. He seems really moved to talk about the first demo he composed – “Miss Sun”. That song didn’t make it to their first album but it eventually ended up on the “Toto XX, 1977-1997” album. It is performed on stage for the first time then, and with these anecdotes, one can have the vision of a play with the real actors of the time bringing back to life and sharing this behind the scenes with their fans. From the symbolic point of view, opening the medley part in a spirit of storytelling with this first demo is all the more striking.

We stay in the atmosphere of the first sessions of the first album since Steve Lukather announces that he is now going to sing the song which was his first vocal performance, when he was not twenty years old yet. This is good because “Georgy Porgy” is a classic song that was a hit at the time, and its numerous live versions with funky arrangements have always been sweet moments for the audience. Today, this acoustic version encourages me to focus on Luke’s voice and I take this opportunity to build up on the fact that he put his voice for the first time on that song, while Bobby Kimball was the lead singer of the band at the time. I really like the diversity of the vocals in the band where different members can do the lead vocal depending on the songs. This really enriches and gives something special to their huge discography, and I really wanted to say it here.

Meanwhile, and just this once, David Paich and Steve Porcaro swap places and instruments. It is worth noting that the latter then becomes the storyteller and starts telling about the day his daughter Heather came home from school crying after she had been annoyed by a classmate… and how that word “why” regarding human nature had come to his mind. The result is a planetary hit sung by Michael Jackson and probably Steve Porcaro’s most famous composition – “Human Nature”. This song was played in the studio by almost the entire band and with in the presence of the King of Pop. It is an integral part of Toto. Indeed, the members of the band have been very productive for other artists to the point of being the most requested for many sessions. The fact that this track made it to the “Thriller” album is one of the most emblematic examples and fully justifies that this aspect is not left apart in this really insightful set-list.

And it goes on with a nice surprise since nobody expected to hear the next song!

Steve Lukather even says that it has never been played on stage (although, I could do research on the internet and find two dates in 1985 but I would never finish this article…). Back in 1984 then, with this track from the “Isolation” album – a single that even got its own music video at the time. It just goes to show that “Holyanna” has its importance and it makes the audience feel like swaying in a 80s rock’n’roll spirit. In comparison with the money Cirque du Soleil puts into Michael Jackson and the Beatles tribute shows in Las Vegas, I think to myself that a self-tribute with the real protagonists of the band is no less effective, if not more.

It is time to move on to the next song with our friend Luke as the storyteller again. This seems consistent since he is the best person to present one of his compositions – “No Love”. In that field, the guitarist has demonstrated his compositional skills through the band’s most beautiful ballads. One could mention “I’ll Be Over You” and “I Won’t Hold You Back” as the most emblematic ones. Still, that list is far from being complete and it had even become a custom for Lukather to sing on a love song. I then remember reading Mike Porcaro’s words in the “Falling In Between” album’s booklet : “One of the things I always look forward to on a Toto album – a gorgeous ballad from Steve Lukather. These kind of songs flow out of him like a pure spring. Awesome!” Except that this time, Luke totally catches the audience off-guard by singing a song with the opposite of love for a theme. Maybe something he experienced between two mariages while he was writing and that was strengthened by his current single life. Anyway, the musician is now having a blast in this totally uninhibited country music atmosphere. Same for Warren Ham who looks ready to play his harmonica. It sounds like they are playing in a bar among cowboys with the only priority to have fun, regardless of attendance. This context seems just normal for Luke when I remember seeing him playing in small venues for clinic tours as many times as listening to him in some Zeniths or large concert halls.

Joseph Williams had not spoken yet but the following story related to the “The Seventh One” album gives him the rightfulness to do so. It is a tribute to Jeff Porcaro with the song “Mushanga”. Joseph recalls Jeff’s technique and groove through this composition while he encourages Shannon Forrest to play it. The other musicians follow him before Joseph puts his voice on the track just like he did in 1988. At that moment, one can feel that the band is reliving these moments in the studio and sharing them on stage with the audience. People are wondering if they should clap hands and fully enjoy this moment or if they’d better listen religiously as in a moment of meditation…

I don’t have much time to wonder since Joseph takes the floor again, still in the theme of “The Seventh One”. This medley is intended to divide up memories among the members of the band, and the singer is going to conclude. Among all the songs he participated in the studio, “Stop Loving You” can be considered the biggest hit. In remembrance of the 80s and mullet haircuts, that was a good way to end this medley. Years have passed, but thank you to the band for bringing them up to the audience’s mind and sharing those moments with all of us.

We won’t stop being satisfied with the show that goes on in a more traditional pattern. Stools disappear backstage while Steve Porcaro heads back to the right side of the stage and his synthesizer. And a good thing that is when I recognize the fabulous programming that serves as an introduction to “Girl Goodbye”. It has always fascinated me, such an avant-garde and innovative part for the year 1978. I can only enjoy to hear it again in the spirit of its original version, and I measure the importance of Steve’s return to Toto, on stage, since 2010. The tandem with David Paich is so complementary, combining the sense of melody of the one with the programming technical prowess of the other. It is worth mentioning that despite his leaving in 1987, the youngest Porcaro brother had always remained available for his friends, taking any opportunity to lend a hand if needed during studio sessions with some programming that only he knows and is an integral part of the Californian band’s musical identity. After this fabulous introduction, “Girl Goodbye” keeps going in a fairly traditional way, quite the opposite of the alternative version played at the opening of the 25th anniversary tour concerts. It is true that the group has enjoyed playing it again since the 1999 LiveFields tour. Bobby Kimball’s return, after sixteen years away from the band, also went this way. But Joseph Williams taking the lead singing has not changed that artistic choice, especially since he remains more moderate in his singing, so as not to damage his voice. Bobby wouldn’t save his own on that track, and as a result he sometimes lost precision. Meanwhile, our Guitar Hero continues to do one monstrous solo after another so that I nearly forgot he has been enduring some pain in his shoulder for two years. The standards are always set really high…

After such a piece of Rock’n’Roll, a ballad would be welcome to take a breather. This is nearly done with “Angela”, another track from the first album. Things start gently with the sound of Warren Ham’s flute. This feeling goes on with Joseph Williams’s voice replacing Luke that originally sang on the studio version. Except that this track composed by David Paich is some kind of a UFO with an ambitious production. It is hard to imagine that this creation managed to spring from such a young band at the time. The verse with the sad words about the loss of both Angela’s love and the child she was expecting is even more dramatized by the sumptuous piano melody in Paich’s style. Except that the drums and the guitar take the advantage in the chorus leading to a satanic Rock’n’Roll that delights in the situation through the mocking lyrics sung by David, like a devil making fun of the unfortunate. The touching but dramatic melody is back in the verses as a cry of pain but it does not take over because the song ends in the darkness and flames of rock’n’roll, like a fatality, far from the evangelism (of Angela…) of the first keys. This anniversary tour is an opportunity to rediscover that unusual song, and I must admit that I had not listened to it for ages. Also, let us not forget that it is the first of a great lineage – I mean the first of many songs with a female name as a title, one of the other customs of the band.

The next song, still live from Lyon, is the aptly named … “Lion”! I know, it was easy, but I had to do it… Plus, it is a pleasure to listen to this extract from the “Isolation” album in its entirety because apart from a stealthy presence in a medley on the 25th anniversary tour, it had kind of disappeared from the radar. Still, with each new series of concerts, the band can pull out of their hat a track they haven’t played for decades. This is also what gives this music group all its charm – leaving the door open to a considerable number of songs for their new set-lists, in addition to their three highlight hits. Anyway, the band always has fun playing them, and that’s the case with “Lion” that sounds so like in the 1980s, if not 1984. Small synth pads accompanied by the saxophone come and do some good to my eardrums, not to mention Luke’s solos! In that frenzy, I still spare a thought for Fergie Fredericksen, the lead singer on that album, who sadly passed away in 2014.

The concert continues in another theme, this time with an instrumental track. The fans of filmmaker David Lynch immediately recognize this extract from the soundtrack of his movie “Dune” – the theme in the desert. In addition to their own discography and numerous studio performances for other artists, Toto has also worked for the seventh art. This aspect of the history of the Californian band could not be ignored and we immerse into the universe of this film. It is not easy to perceive the whole subtlety of David Lynch’s world, but the talent of these musicians has allowed them to grasp it. I am not sure many other music groups would have succeeded in this task. By the way, did you watch the last season of Twin Peaks?

All right, let’s go back to the main subject, I was digressing, sorry… Especially since Steve Lukather starts an introductory speech before the next song. He talks about influences and the guitarist who made him want to play music, and the band is ready to pay tribute to George Harrison with the track “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. It was composed by George for his band, The Beatles, and it is really dear to Luke… In 2002, he had immortalized his performance of this song on the album “Through The Looking Glass », in anticipation of the 25th anniversary, which was already some kind of a track record. Some fans tend to limit this album to a compilation of covers but I think we should look beyond. Indeed, the members of the group present a version of what they liked in the past and share it with their public as a way to evoke some kind of a pre-history that has also shaped what made Toto. Just like he did fifteen years ago, Luke now revisits what inspired him and made him grow in George’s musical world by including him in those 40 years, because you must never forget where you come from. The finale is really his own moment as he expresses himself alone in a solo that goes on and on like he doesn’t want that song to end. This is reminiscent of his performance of “I’ll Be Over You” in 1993, but no one has control over the passing of time…

Would you like more saxophone pads? Thank you, Warren Ham! Let’s go back to 1982 and the iconic “IV” album with the track “Make Believe”. Yes, I believe in it and I can see myself with a Hawaiian shirt on driving a convertible car along some Californian beach. Yes, everything seems possible to me! Like putting a tuxedo on and attending the Grammy Awards Ceremony in 1983. The opportunity to see the band triumphing and getting four trophies including the one for Best Album of the Year for their “IV” album! Such a important moment in the history of the band that it instantly comes to my mind while listening to this song. The commercial success of “IV” with millions of albums sold, along with the acknowledgement from the people in the music industry through these Grammys, gave a special status to this record. It had to be well represented tonight and “Make Believe” took its part in this task.

Still, that song was not the biggest hit on the album, if you see what I mean. Of course, the biggest hit of the year 1982, if not of a few years, was “Africa”, another indispensable track that has to be played like it has always been on every tour. We find the same rituals that consist in focusing on David Paich’s voice and piano. Although he is weakened tonight, he still catches attention with his inseparable composition. Once again he plays this famous solo and then he pulls his microphone closer to start singing again. Now it feels like we are not only watching the band’s story but the history of music in general… I would like to give a special mention to Lenny Castro whose percussions take us to the African continent. As an extra musician on different sessions since 1978, he has allowed the audience to enjoy his presence since the previous tour in 2015. He even featured in the “Africa” music video at the time, so no need to say that he had to be there for this celebration… But it seems we are getting close to the end of the party since the stage is suddenly empty…

We need a short encore and as the crowd gives a burst of applause, the band comes back on stage for a final performance and saying goodbye. Steve Lukather is ready to play the acoustic guitar but before that, he thanks the audience for coming and not letting him sing alone. This should not be too difficult since all the fans are familiar with the song “The Road Goes On”, another song from the “Tambu” album with the message that life goes on, no matter what, and that we must move forward despite ordeals. Unlike the previous tour, there is no changing of from acoustic to electric guitar in the course of the song, which provides a more intimate atmosphere. That is the most beautiful conclusion to pay tribute to Jeff and Mike Porcaro and it was worth every speech in the world. Sometimes, some messages only consist of songs lyrics. This will be the last word of this trip around 40 years… As for me I still enjoy birthday parties…

The concert ends and the audience is invited to leave the hall. I would have done the same but I got my precious door openers at the Guest Services desk before the show. (Is it really my name on the envelope?!) This is the moment to draw out the celebration with Laetitia and we quickly reach the stage with our Aftershow Passes in our hands.

Next thing I know, some security guards are taking us to a small room. This is where Steve Porcaro joins us and we have some time to chat with him. I also present him with my personal copy of my book “Let’s Make HIstory”, the one in which I like to collect signatures and messages from different protagonists. I show him Quincy Jones’s signature that he did in Montreux, before mentioning the Bähler brothers – John was Steve’s neighbor when he was a teenager. The keyboardist then writes a lovely message in his turn, before we improvise a photo session with the book. I also take advantage of the presence of Steve Lukather for an additional photo and a signature, not without saying I hope he will enjoy the book. Everything went very fast and it is already time for both musicians to leave. Steve Porcaro comes to say goodbye and says we shall see each other next time. We can only say : « Sure, with great pleasure! »

My head is full of daydreams while I walk back to my car trying to come back to Earth. As I start the engine, the CD player is set on the song “No Love”… Finally, we did not really part…

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