When David Paich was a kid he didn’t spend much time climbing trees. His time was spent absorbing, learning, and ultimately becoming a product of his environment — the recording studio and performing stage. David’s father, legendary composer and arranger Marty Paich, introduced him early to his world of creating music. David eventually found over the years his phenomenal musical and keyboard skills would allow him to become one of the most influential and sought-after session musicians, producers, songwriters, and arrangers in the industry.
David Paich is an 8-time Grammy Award winner including: Producer of The Year, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year. Paich also won an Emmy for his work on the television series Ironside. As a founding member of the Grammy award-winning band TOTO, Paich is most notably known for his work as keyboard player, vocalist and main composer of the band. With hundreds of credits and accolades to their names, TOTO remains one of the top selling tour-acts in the world. Collectively and individually, the band has played on nearly every major hit record of the past quarter century, placing their distinctive stamp of excellence all over CD shelves around the world. With over 35 million records sold, TOTO is the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire musical community.
Paich’s work with TOTO includes writing chart topping hits such as: "Rosanna", "99", "Hold the Line", "Georgy Porgy", and most of Toto's hits over the years. Paich co-wrote the 1982 hit, "Africa", along with TOTO's drummer Jeff Porcaro. He also sang lead vocals on the song.
In addition to his success with TOTO, Paich wrote or co-wrote several hits such as Cheryl Lynn's, "Got To Be Real" Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown”, “Lido Shuffle” and George Benson's "Lady Love Me (One More Time)" among others. Additionally, Paich has written or co-written songs for Cher, The Jacksons, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, George Benson, Jon Anderson(Yes), Chicago and many more.
As a session musician, Paich has contributed to the works of Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Steely Dan, Randy Newman, Billy Preston, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Sarah Vaughn, Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Seals & Crofts, Barbara Streisand, Jackson Browne, James Newton Howard, Don Henley, James Ingram, Brothers Johnson, Ray Charles, Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Joe Cocker, Neil Diamond, Lamont Dozier, David Foster, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Boz Scaggs, and many more.
As an arranger Paich has worked for Michael Jackson, Marilyn and Alan bergman, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin and Donna Summer to name a few.
Paich has also done work in film. Paich began working on movies when Jerry Goldsmith asked him to produce and arrange the end title theme for the movie “First Blood”, starring Sylvester Stallone. Additionally, Marilyn and Alan Bergman called upon Paich to produce and arrange the opening title song “The Girl Who Used To Be Me” for the movie “Shirley Valentine.” The song was later nominated for an Oscar. Paich also composed the soundtrack for the 1983 movie "Dune", directed by David Lynch, and wrote the main and end title music for “Black Rain”, for Ridley Scott and Hans Zimmer
