Australian Music Star Rai Thistlethwayte Joins Legendary Rock Band Toto
An Australian music icon has been announced as the newest member of the legendary American rock band Toto. Rai Thistlethwayte, the lead singer and songwriter for the popular Australian pop-rock group Thirsty Merc, has officially joined the ranks of the 1980s hitmakers, best known for their classic song Africa.
Exciting Announcement Ahead of North American Tour
The announcement was made on Toto's official social media account on Tuesday, just ahead of their upcoming North American tour. The band expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to announce Rai Thistlethwayte has joined the ensemble on keyboards and background vocals." Their An Evening With tour is set to begin immediately, with shows scheduled through March 13, followed by a summer tour.
On his personal Instagram account, Thistlethwayte shared the post from Toto, calling it "an absolute honour." He added, "I'm extremely excited to be joining Toto on keys and backing vocals! The first tour date is tomorrow in Milwaukee, can't wait to get into these tunes on stage with these absolute legends."
Background on Toto and Their Iconic Hits
The acclaimed American rock band was formed in Los Angeles in 1977 and has produced a string of classic hits, including Africa, Hold The Line, and Rosanna. Of the six original members, only guitarist Steve Lukather is still currently touring with the band, as the lineup has undergone many changes over the years.
Africa, which topped the US charts in 1982 and reached the top five in Australia, experienced a significant resurgence through social media memes in the early 2010s. In 2022, it was revealed as the third-most streamed song released last century in the UK. The track currently boasts nearly 2.5 billion plays on Spotify and 1.2 billion views on YouTube.
Rai Thistlethwayte's Impressive Career
Thistlethwayte brings a rich musical history to Toto. At 45 years old, he heads one of Australia's most popular bands from the 2000s, Thirsty Merc, which most recently released their new album Celebrations in 2022. The ARIA-nominated band was formed in 2002 by Thistlethwayte, Phil Stack, Karl Robertson, and Matthew Baker, and has also seen multiple member changes over time.
One of Thirsty Merc's most famous songs, In the Summertime, became the soundtrack for the opening credits of the television show Bondi Rescue. Thistlethwayte's addition to Toto marks a significant milestone in his career, blending Australian talent with international rock legacy.
