David Paich and Jeff Porcaro had played together as session musicians for many artists like Steely Dan, Seals and Crofts, Boz Scaggs, Sonny and Cher and many others. Back in 1977 they decided to form a band. David Hungate, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, and Bobby Kimball were recruited before the first album got released. They all worked as session mussicians. And they kept working as session musicians during the career of Toto. They were contracted by Columbia Records in 1977.
Hold The Line - single cover
The name of the band came from the dog in the Wizard of Oz. Jeff Porcaro wrote the word on the demo tapes for the debut album not immediately with the idea to title the band after this. Also "in toto" is latin and means "all-encompassing". Finally in 1978 their untitled debut album was released. It includes the hits: "Hold the Line", "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy". All Toto ingredients were there already in the beginning. Starting with the intro "Child’s Anthem". Rock ("Manuela Run", "I'll Supply The Love", "Girl Goodbye", "You Are The Flower", "Hold The Line",  "Rockmaker") and romantic ballads ("Georgy Porgy" and "Angela").
Georgy Porgy - single cover
Phillip Garris who also designed album covers for artists like The Grateful Dead created the album's emblem after listening to the song "Manuela Run". "You Better Watch That Sword That's Hanging Over You" which referrs to the sword of Damocles. The sword represents Toto's powerful sound. The iron ring represents the piece of work being constructed: The record itself. The ribbons stands for the year of the child. The sword en ring(s) became the logo for the rest of their career.
The debut album was a worldwide breakthrough. In the UK it charted #9 in the US, #37 in the UK and #25 in the Netherlands. The first single "Hold The Line" reached #5 in the US, #14 in the UK, #25 in the Netherlands.
Original album cover
Toto (1978)
Child's Anthem / I'll Supply the Love / Georgy Porgy / Manuela Run / You Are the Flower / Girl Goodbye / Takin' It Back / Rockmaker / Hold the Line / Angela

Hold The Line

Georgy Porgy

Manuela Run

Angela