Hold the Line

The Zoo Crew is spinning Toto's classic hit "Hold the Line" from their 1978 debut album, Toto, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, penned by keyboardist David Paich and sung by Bobby Kimball, was Toto’s first single, rocketing to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979. Drummer Jeff Porcaro once described it as a mashup of heavy metal guitar licks, triplet piano notes, and a funky groove, with Kimball’s New Orleans flair tying it all together. Paich shared that the title came from the phrase you’d say when putting someone on hold during a phone call, but lyrically, it’s about urging a lover to stay patient in a rocky relationship. Fun fact: Bobby Kimball recalled waking up to the song on his alarm clock radio, stumbling in the dark to call Paich, who was equally shocked to hear their debut single blasting on air.

Another quirky tidbit: the song’s chorus melody inspired Frank Zappa’s 1979 instrumental “Toad-O Line” from Joe’s Garage, a playful nod with a wordplay twist. "Hold the Line" has been covered by artists like Millie Jackson, who performed it live in 1979, and Saxon, who included it on their 2021 covers album Inspirations. Fans on YouTube have raved about the song’s low-budget music video, featuring Steve Lukather in iconic suspenders, which racked up millions of views despite its simplicity. The song also popped up in pop culture, notably in a hilarious scene from That 70’s Show, as noted by fans on Songfacts, cementing its status as a nostalgic banger.

Toto formed in Los Angeles in 1977, born from a crew of ace session musicians who’d backed legends like Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, and Barbra Streisand. David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, the band’s core, had been grinding in the studio scene for years, laying down tracks for countless artists. They recruited Steve Lukather on guitar, Steve Porcaro on keyboards, David Hungate on bass, and Bobby Kimball on vocals to round out the lineup. Their name, “Toto,” came about almost by accident—Jeff Porcaro scribbled it on demo tapes to distinguish them in the studio. Later, David Hungate pointed out that “in toto” means “all-encompassing” in Latin, a fitting nod to their genre-blending sound. Though critics initially scoffed, their debut album’s success, driven by “Hold the Line,” proved their chops, earning a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

Stay connected with Toto through their official website, where you can catch updates on tours and releases like their latest albums, I Found the Sun Again and Denizen Tenant. Follow them on Facebook, with over 1.6 million likes, for tour announcements and fan chatter. Their Instagram offers behind-the-scenes glimpses, while their X account keeps fans in the loop with quick updates. For diehard Zoo Freaks, check out fan communities like the Toto Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memorabilia and stories, or dive into Toto-Music.net, a fan site packed with discography details and band history.