I’ve never quite worked out why the American rock band Toto wanted to “bless the rains down in Africa”. I know their song Africa only too well, because it’s in the soundtrack of my life.
Back in the early ’80s that song was on the radio all the time. And the songs from that time have become etched in my consciousness. Actually, I would like some of those songs removed from my consciousness. I mean, why do I now need to know all the words to Me and You and a Dog named Boo? That does me no good at all.
Africa, though, well, I’ll keep that. And reading about the story behind the song is quite heartwarming. It was written by band members David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, produced by the band and mixed by engineer Greg Ladanyi. (Paich and Steve Lukather are the only original members in the current line-up.)
In 2015, Paich explained that the song is about a man’s love of a continent, Africa, rather than just a personal romance. He based the lyrics on a late-night documentary with depictions of African plight and suffering, which sounds a tad patronising now but I think his heart was in the right place.
But why am I even thinking about this? Because I’ve just been reading about the line-up at this year’s Byron Bay Bluesfest, the 36th iteration of this popular festival, to run April 17 to 20.
Word was that this might be the last Bluesfest, due to soaring costs and other inhibiting factors, but now I hear that might not be the case. Expect news about that soon.
And this year, yes, Toto will be there, along with other stalwarts such as Christopher Cross and Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan is another one with a song in my memory bank. I could sing I’m Every Woman to you right now if you like? But I won’t just in case the neighbours are in earshot.
This is one of the things Bluesfest does – presents us with acts that we thought might be defunct or even dead. The retinue of stars that have played at Bluesfest is quite incredible – BB King, Santana, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Jones, John Mayer. The list goes on.
I was chatting to some friends the other day and they recalled seeing my favourite reggae artists Toots and The Maytals at Bluesfest. I missed that but many years earlier I did manage to see Toots Hibbert and his band perform at The Playroom on the Gold Coast in the early ’80s. Sadly, Toots died during the pandemic.
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But, hey, Toto and Chaka Khan are still on the planet. Toto is coming here as part of a world tour that started in 2022. It makes me tired just thinking about it. Chaka Khan is 71 now but, from all reports, she is still killing it on stage.
Christopher Cross is 73. He’s a bit more middle-of-the-road, but I do have some of his songs filed in the filaments of my memory. Sailing and Ride Like the Wind are there along with the rather lovely Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do). I had some singing lessons in the ’80s (they didn’t take) and the main song I was working with was Arthur’s Theme, so I know that one only too well. Of course, the movie Arthur is a classic. It starred Dudley Moore, Liza Minelli and John Gielgud.
Toto, Chaka Khan, Christopher Cross – there’s three legends right there. But wait, there’s more … so much more. Crowded House, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, The Cat Empire, John Butler, Maoli, The Steele Syndicate and a long list of other hot acts.
So that’s Easter sorted, right?
bluesfest.com.au