Toto have announced a European tour for 2016 – but it’ll go ahead without bassist David Hungate, who’s left the band.
He co-founded the band in 1977 and played on their first four albums before quitting in 1982, then rejoining in 2014. He appeared on this year’s comeback album Toto XIV.
Hungate says: “The two-year reunion has been one of the sweetest experiences and greatest honours of my life. All good things must come to an end, however.
“I no longer have the stamina and resilience required for extended touring – and I do need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”
He’s been replaced by Leland Sklar, who first joined in 2007 when Mike Porcaro was forced to retire due to his struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Porcaro died in March, aged 59.
Toto‘s Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams add: ”We would like to express huge love and gratitude to our brother David for his gifted playing, his amazing professionalism and good humour. It was awesome having you back these last two years and we will cherish the memories.”
The European tour kicks off at the end of January and it’s followed by a run of shows in Japan:
Jan 27: Brussels Forest National, Belgium
Jan 28: Strasbourg Zenith, France
Jan 29: Paris Olympia, France
Jan 31: Bordeaux Patinoire Meriadeck, France
Feb 01: Nantes Zenith, France
Feb 03: Rouen Zenith, France
Feb 04: Epernay-Pierry Le Millesium, France
Feb 06: Torino Parcolimpico, Italy
Feb 07: Montichiari Palazzetto Dello Sport, Italy
Feb 09: Vienna Gasometer, Austria
Feb 11: Tilburg 013 Poppodium, Netherlands
Feb 14: Groningen Oosterpoort, Netherlands
Feb 15: Aarhus Scandinavian Congress Center, Denmark
Feb 17: Stavanger DNB Arena, Norway
Feb 18: Oslo Sentrum Scene, Norway
Feb 19: Stockholm Fryshuset, Sweden
Feb 21: Helsinki Icehall, Finland
Mar 03: Sendai Sun Plaza, Japan
Mar 04: Yokohama Pacifico, Japan
Mar 07: Tokyo Nihon Budokan, Japan
Mar 09: Fukuoka Zepp, Japan
Mar 10: Hiroshima Ueno Gakuen Hall, Japan
Mar 14: Osaka Festival Hall, Japan
Mar 15: Nagoya Shi Kokaido, Japan
