Bobby Kimball: Memories of an Asian tour

MANILA, Philippines - After their successful world tour Falling In Between that lasted two years (over 120 concerts) and spanned several continents, the iconic platinum band Toto disbanded for the nth time. In fact, Manila was almost the last date on the tour (April 3, 2008) if the late addition of Seoul on April 5, 2008 didn’t happen. The band lineup was composed of two original members, Bobby Kimball and Steve Lukather, together with Simon Phillips, Greg Phillinganes and session musicians Leland Sklaar and Tony Spinner.

After the final tour, Steve Lukather commented on his website: “Honestly I just had enough. This is NOT a break. It is over. I just can’t do it anymore and at 50 years old I would like to start over and give it one more try on my own.” He carried on with his “guitariffic” solo career while Bobby, the original lead vocalist continued what he liked to do most as a solo artist — perform Toto hits.

I met Bobby personally through our mutual friend Bruce Conte of Tower of Power and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire Experience. I offered to tour him around Asia if he agreed to perform mostly Toto hits plus some of his favorites. He agreed and in October 2008, we toured 15 Asian cities that included Beijing, Bali, Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Manila, Davao, General Santos, Tagum, Cagayan de Oro, Makati, etc.

Remembering the 2008 Asian Tour — five concerts in 6.5 days:

Day 1 and 2: Beijing was the first stop of the hectic Asian tour. Bobby was excited to take a walk at the Great Wall in Beijing the morning after the concert but alas, a terrible bout of intestinal flu confined him to the hotel. The band went to the Great Wall and Bobby stayed behind. Upon landing in Manila, Bobby was brought to the Makati Med for an overnight stay.

Day 3: It was an early flight to Singapore. We arrived 1 p.m., checked in, ate lunch then embarked on a two-hour sound check. We slept three hours then had dinner at the Orchard Parade Hotel’s coffee shop before crossing the Cuscaden Road to do the show at Hard Rock Singapore. The fans couldn’t get enough and Bobby had to do three encores and two hours of autograph signing with photo opportunities.

Day 4: After a two-hour sleep, we had an early morning flight to Bali. Everyone snored on the plane. Hotel in Bali was the heavenly Hard Rock hotel. Vast expanse for a resort hotel with several swimming pools and a couple even had a sand bottom. Too bad we weren’t able to enjoy it because as soon as we checked in, the group took a two-hour snooze before a late lunch then sound check, which was over by 7 p.m. as the concert was to start in an hour. It was raining hard and was cold in Bali but inside the concert venue it was hot and sweaty with nary an elbow space. It was literally an ocean of bodies that sang along with almost every song. Three encores again were given before the photo and autograph session. Bobby hit his bed past 1 a.m. while we Pinoys including the backup band opted to eat satay at the roadside stall.

Bobby with Hard Rock Makati manager Ceso Calison, Hyatt PR manager Loni Balagtas and Tasya

Day 5: We were up at 7 a.m. for breakfast before checking out of the resort to catch the plane for Jakarta. As always, there was no time for sightseeing. It took us two hours to wade through the traffic-infested streets of Jakarta to get to the Peninsula Hotel. As soon as we were through with lunch, we were off to the venue for sound check and performance. Both floors of the newly renovated Hard Rock including the bar were packed. My good friend Dennis Garcia, an advertising and music genius, was in the audience. The show went well and the photo opportunities cum autograph signing had to be cut short to give Bobby a few hours of rest.

Day 6: Off to the airport again for the flight to Kuala Lumpur. Because of the lack of sleep and weariness, tempers easily flared and I almost got into fisticuffs with one of the band members if not for Bobby’s quick mediation. I felt sorry after and apologized as we boarded the bus for the airport. After going through so many airports every morning, they all started to look the same. KL airport was no exception even if it looked so huge and modern. Even with its eight-lane expressway, it took over an hour to get to the city. Our hotel was the comfortable Concord, right smack in the middle of KL and it houses the KL Hard Rock. Bobby had an afternoon nap after the sound check. The final show of the Asian leg ended in KL to rousing applause. One of my unexpected discoveries about Toto songs was that their biggest hits worldwide like Rosanna and Africa were eclipsed by the Asian favorite I’ll Be Over You. We had to cancel the Seoul concert because there was no more date to fit it in.

On the other hand, the Philippine Tour that happened before and after the Asian tour involved concerts at Hyatt Hotel Ballroom in Manila, Heritage Hotel Ballroom in Manila, Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex, CAP Auditorium in Davao, St. Mary’s Gym in Tagum City, Lagao Gym in General Santos City, Lim Ket Kai Mall in Cagayan De Oro, De La Salle Gym in Bacolod, H20 Club in Malate, Hard Rock Cafe in Makati plus meet and greets sessions at five SM Malls. The only recollection that has stuck in my mind about the prolonged tour was that Willy Revillame loved Toto so much that he was the guest drummer for the Aliw Theater show. After the tour, I was so tired I slept for almost three days straight.

Four years later, Bobby is back for another tour that involves the Philippines and Malaysia. This tour will be much better than its predecessor because it’s more relaxed and well-prepared. Bobby’s Pinoy backup band for the tour has been performing Toto songs for years and what makes it even better is that it is Arnel Pineda’s band called Zoo. Included in the set list for this concert are Toto classics like Rosanna, Africa, I’ll Be Over You, I Won’t Hold You Back, 99, Georgy Porgy, Hold The Line, Anna, etc. It’s definitely a show to watch for every fan of Bobby Kimball or Toto.

Concert tour starts in Angeles City on June 25, then the Parklane Hotel in Cebu, before it goes international. The big Manila show is at the SMX Convention Center on the fourth of July (U.S. Independence Day), which is very appropriate for an all-American rock legend.

Bobby Kimball the All American Rock Legend is presented by Steve O’ Neal, Hyatt Hotel & Casino and RJ100.3 FM in collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe, Business Mirror, MS for Men, Mings Pei Pa Koa, Lazer Music, Taye Drums, Istanbul Cymbals, Mall of Asia, SM Supermalls, Fox Network, Star World, Star TV, Caliraya Resorts, Park Lane Hotel, IFM and MYX.

Tickets are available at all SM Ticket outlets, National Bookstores, Robinsons, Ayala Malls and Ticketworld outlets.