Bobby vows to sing all the Toto hits

MANILA, Philippines - “I promise to sing all the Toto hits,” was the sterling commitment Bobby Kimball made when the 2014 Rock Legends tour was conceived. I urged him to make this statement to alleviate the worries of the local Toto fans. “I will sing all the hits like Africa, Rossana, Georgy Porgy, Hold The Line, I’ll Be Over You, I Wont Hold You Back, 99, etc. individually in their entirety and not as a medley,” Bobby added. 2014 is also a very important year for Bobby because the hit Hold The Line which he sang solo including background vocals is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Bobby pursued a solo career at the end of 2008 after the intensive Falling In Between Tour when Steve Lukather announced the disbandment of Toto (Toto reformed in 2010 minus Bobby with Joseph Williams as lead vocalist). The decision has proved fruitful for Bobby as he has never stopped touring around the world and recording albums either solo with the Frankfurt Rock Symphony and other prime session musicians and rock legends like Jimi Jamison of Survivor (who passed away just days ago), Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Dan McCafferty of Nazareth. He also did recording sessions with superstars like Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Michael McDonald, David Foster, Christopher Cross, Ray Charles, Boz Scaggs, Chaka Khan, etc.

Currently, Bobby has a tour of the world’s capitals like Frankfurt, Cologne, Paris, Belgium, Buenos Aires, Rio, Brasilia, Tokyo, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans. The part that takes him to the Philippines is what excites him the most because he loves the country and enjoys playing with the Zoo band who has backed him up for the past three years not only in Philippine cities but around Asia as well. The Zoo band, fronted by Neil Baruelo together with his brothers Joey and Badong with band mates Ricky and Edgar, is one of the most sought-after groups in the live circuit. Arnel Pineda, who is now a member of the super group Journey, used to be a member of Zoo. Bobby has always told Zoo members that he would one day use them for his US and European tours.

Joining Bobby for the second time in Asia is rock legend Kenny Cetera who has done live and recording stints with Richard Marx, Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, David Foster, Chicago and older brother Peter. Kenny is taking a break from his current Chicago Experience tour of the US to once again wow his Pinoy fans with his performance of classic Chicago hits like 25 or 6 to 4, Just You and Me, Happy Man, Saturday in the Park, Beginnings, If You Leave Me Now, You’re the Inspiration, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, plus Peter Cetera-million seller Next Time I Fall In Love.

Special guest is up-and-coming Pinay rocker Paula Bianca who incidentally is the daughter of Danny Cuneta, the half-brother of Sharon Cuneta.

Rock Legends Live happens on Oct. 10, 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort & Casino. It is presented by Solaire Resorts & Casino and Steve O’ Neal Productions in collaboration with Duty Free Philippines, Hard Rock Café, HDI, IBC 13, Telenovela Channel, Business Mirror, Retro FM, Natural FM, Enervon Prime, Mediasync, Circles Entertainment and RJ100.3FM. Tickets are available at TicketWorld outlets, National Bookstores, Ayala Malls, Robinsons, SM Tickets and the concierge at Solaire Resort and Casino.