David Paich, prolific songwriter and co-producer of Toto's 'Africa,' shares crazy stories about working with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones on 'Thriller.' He also discusses his early career, playing and touring with Sonny & Cher, and co-writing hits like 'Rosanna' and 'Hold The Line.'
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Quick takeaways
David Paich had an impressive start to his career, playing on hit records as a young musician and collaborating with renowned artists like Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.
The formation of the band Toto highlighted the importance of collaboration, showcasing their diverse strengths and the process behind their hit song 'Africa'.
David Paich's involvement in the making of 'Thriller' showcased his creativity, versatility, and ability to adapt to different musical styles, contributing to the album's success.
Deep dives
David Pach's Accomplishments at a Young Age
David Pach had an impressive start to his career, playing on hit records as a young musician. His first hit record was Seals and Crofts' 'Diamond Girl.' This led to more session work and collaborations with renowned artists like Michael Jackson. Pach also became part of Quincy Jones' team, working on albums such as 'Thriller' and contributing his unique keyboard talents to songs like 'Human Nature.' His skills and musicality earned him the respect and trust of artists like Michael Jackson, who valued his perfectionism in the studio.
David Pach's Contributions to Toto
Pach was an integral part of the band Toto from its early days. The band aimed to create diverse music and break genre boundaries. Each member, including Pach, took turns singing to offer variety and avoid sticking to a specific sound. Pach's role as a keyboardist elevated the band's sound, and his ability to craft intros and unique musical elements added depth to their songs. Toto's successful debut album included hits like 'Georgy Porgy,' in which Cheryl Lynn's vocals contributed to their crossover success. Pach's talent and passion for music helped shape Toto's sound and establish them as a versatile band in the industry.
Working with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones on 'Thriller'
Pach had the opportunity to work closely with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones during the making of 'Thriller.' Michael Jackson was a perfectionist and valued Pach's dedication to achieving excellence in the studio. Pach and fellow keyboardist Steve Porcaro collaborated to bring their respective talents to songs like 'Human Nature.' Pach's finger-picking guitar influence added a unique element to the song's iconic intro. His contributions, along with the entire team's efforts, resulted in the creation of one of the greatest albums of all time. Pach's creativity, versatility, and ability to adapt to different musical styles greatly contributed to the success of 'Thriller.'
Playing with Jackson Brown and the impact of the 70s music scene
One of the main points discussed in the podcast is the speaker's experience of playing with Jackson Brown on the album 'For Everyman'. This opportunity arose when the speaker received a phone call from Jackson Brown personally, inviting him to come to the studio and contribute to the record. The speaker also reminisced about the thriving music scene of the 70s, where session work and songwriting flourished. They mentioned the influence of artists like Elton John and Jimmy Webb, as well as their involvement in sessions with Motown and Steely Dan. The podcast highlighted the importance of collaboration, musical versatility, and the ability to adapt to different styles in order to succeed in the music industry during that period.
The formation of Toto and the art of songwriting
Another key insight shared in the episode is the formation of the band Toto and their approach to songwriting. The speaker discussed how each member of the band had their own strengths and how they would listen to the best songs brought in by each member. They would then determine which vocalist suited each song best. The speaker also delved into the process behind their hit song 'Africa', highlighting how it was initially a last-minute addition to the album, but ended up becoming a major success. They emphasized the band's intention to create something different, experimenting with loops and building the song layer by layer. The podcast underscored the unique balance Toto achieved between pop sensibilities and intricate musicianship.
David Paich is a prolific musician and songwriter who’s perhaps most well known for writing and co-producing Toto's classic song, “Africa.” Before David co-founded Toto with drummer Jeff Porcaro in 1977, he was an innovative keyboardist and session player. David honed his chops early growing up in L.A. where he worked under the tutelage of his father Marty Paich—an esteemed composer who worked with artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Mel Tormé.
While in college at USC David started playing keyboard professionally and touring with Sonny & Cher. From there he went on to co-write and play on Boz Scaggs’ multi-platinum album Silk Degrees. He also worked extensively with Quincy Jones, playing on multiple iconic albums including Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bad. All throughout his work as a session musician, David also served as Toto’s principal songwriter and wrote chart-topping hits like “Rosanna,” “Hold The Line,” and of course, “Africa.”
On today’s episode Justin Richmond talks to David Paich about what it was like to be such an accomplished player at such a young age. He shares crazy stories about working with Michael Jackson and Quincy on Thriller, and how he came up with the intro to Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” a song written by Toto’s drummer, Jeff Porcaro. He also plays parts from some of the best songs he’s written, and talks about how they came to be.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite David Paich songs HERE.