Toto and Michael McDonald Announce Summer Tour [Video]

Two of the biggest names in rock music from the 1980’s are coming together for a late summer swing through North America. Toto and five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald have formally announced plans for a co-headlining summer tour in August and September.

"I so look forward to the dates I'll play with Toto this summer,” McDonald said. “Not only because they're old friends but also because they're one of the most talented and significant American bands."

Toto’s keyboardist Steve Pocaro was just as enthusiastic about the upcoming jaunt in his praise for the former Doobie Brother saying, “I can’t wait to get out on the road with Michael McDonald and his band. There is some deep history between us and it’s always a great hang. Michael surrounds himself with the best people, the crowds are great, and I, for one, never tire of hearing his amazing band play and hearing those classic songs sung by one of my all-time favorites."

McDonald got his start in the music business in the mid-1970s, joining up with Steely Dan as a background vocalist and keyboard player. From there he was recruited into the Doobie Brothers were he contributed to such hits as ‘Real Love’, ‘Takin' It to the Streets’, ‘Little Darling’, ‘It Keeps You Runnin'’, ‘Minute by Minute’ and ‘What a Fool Believes.’ His latest record, 2008’s ‘Soul Speak,’ represented a continuation of his delve into the early soul music beginning with ‘Motown’ in 2003 and the follow-up ‘Motown II’ the following year.

Toto was formed in 1977 when a collection of acclaimed Los Angeles studio session players grew tired of working behind the scenes and decided to strike out on their own. Their greatest success came with the release of ‘Toto IV’ in 1982 that featured three top-ten hits including ‘Rosanna,’ ‘I Won’t Hold You Back,’ and ‘Africa.’ In 2009, the group was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

The tour won’t exactly be the first time that McDonald and Toto have worked together. In 1982, Toto members Mike Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro and Luke were recruited by McDonald to contribute to his Top Ten solo debut solo record ‘If That’s What It Takes.’ The singer returned the favor four years later by providing a vocal track to the band’s song, ‘I’ll Be Over You,’ from their ‘Fahrenheit’ album.

The tour runs from Aug. 2 in Grand Ronde, Ore., through Sept. 7 in Newport News, Va. There are no Michigan dates, but the tour stops Aug. 31 at Caesar's Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit.

Tickets for all upcoming dates are set to go on sale on March 28 and 29. Visit Toto's website for full information, including VIP packages.

Toto/Michael McDonald 2014 Summer Tour
Aug. 2 -- Grand Ronde, Ore., Spirit Mount Casino
Aug. 3 -- Marysville, Wash., Tulalip Resort Casino
Aug. 5 -- Saratoga, Calif., The Mountain Winery
Aug. 7 -- Los Angeles, The Greek Theatre
Aug. 9 -- Indio, Calif., Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Aug. 10 -- Pala, Calif., Pala Casino
Aug. 14 -- Newkirk, Okla., First Council Casino
Aug. 15 -- Tulsa, Okla., Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Aug. 16 -- Durant, Okla., Choctaw Events Center
Aug. 19 -- Clearwater, Fla., Ruth Eckerd Hall
Aug. 20 -- Hollywood, Fla., Seminole Hard Rock
Aug. 22 -- Atlanta, Fox Theatre
Aug. 23 -- Blue Ash, Ohio, Blue Ash Summit Park
Aug. 24 -- Charleston, W.Va,, The Clay Center for The Arts & Sciences
Aug. 29 -- Highland Park, Ill., Ravinia Festival
Aug. 30 -- Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Aug. 31 -- Windsor, Ontario, Caesar's Windsor
Sept. 3 -- Englewood, N.J., Bergen Performing Arts Center
Sept. 5 -- Lincoln, R.I., Twin River Casino
Sept. 6 -- Atlantic City, N.J., Harrah's Casino
Sept. 7 -- Newport News, Va,, Ferguson Center for the Arts