Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Rob Lowe Reveals Surprising Collab with TOTO in the 80s

Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

Rob Lowe, the talented actor known for his roles in iconic films and television shows, recently made an intriguing revelation on his podcast, *Literally! With Rob Lowe*. During a candid conversation with Bill Simmons, Lowe disclosed that he had once recorded a demo with renowned band Toto. Lowe’s confession, accompanied by a humorous acknowledgment of his wild 80s lifestyle, has captured the curiosity of fans and music enthusiasts alike. The discussion on Lowe’s podcast episode not only shed light on a lesser-known aspect of his career but also provided a fascinating glimpse into the actor’s life during a transformative period.

The actor shared this on an episode of his podcast, delving into his 1980s experience with Toto, a band that epitomized the era’s “Yacht Rock” genre. For Simmons, who had been reflecting on his production role in the HBO documentary *Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary*, it was a perfect conversation starter. This documentary chronicles the genre’s heyday, spotlighting artists like Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, and of course, Toto. When the discussion turned to Toto, a Grammy-winning staple of the Yacht Rock scene, Lowe couldn’t resist bringing up his brief foray into the music world with them.

In a moment of reflection on his past, Lowe admitted that the 1980s were a tumultuous yet exciting time in his life. “There was a minute in the ’80s where I was definitely doing too much Bolivian marching powder and just being a lunatic,” he reminisced, humorously referring to the excessive cocaine use that was unfortunately a hallmark of that decade. At the time, Lowe was at a career crossroads, too old for the juvenile roles that had made him famous, yet too young for mature roles that would solidify his career for decades to come. Fueled by a love for music and perhaps a yearning to embark on a different path, Lowe recorded a demo track with Toto.

Toto was at the height of its fame during this period. They had achieved massive success with hits like “Africa,” which helped them dominate the music scene and the Grammy Awards, despite some critical backlash about their commercial style. Simmons and Lowe noted how the group was once mocked for their seemingly overnight success, a common occurrence in the ever-competitive music industry.

The podcast episode, which brought this surprising nugget of information to light, highlights Lowe’s charismatic storytelling and willingness to reflect on the past with humor and humility. As it continues to circulate and garner attention, the tale of Lowe’s musical dalliance with Toto provides an entertaining glimpse into the actor’s life beyond the screen, offering a fresh perspective on the glitz, glamour, and unpredictability of Hollywood in the 1980s.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Power to the People Festival Adds Stephen Stills, Geezer Butler, Mike McCready and More to October Lineup

Tom Morello’s Power to the People festival has grown its October 3, 2026 lineup with the addition of Nathaniel Rateliff, Stephen Stills, Mike McCready, Geezer Butler, State Radio, Scott Ian and The Last Internationale.

John Fogerty and Steve Winwood Duet on “In the Midnight Hour” in Charlotte

John Fogerty and Steve Winwood joined forces on Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” in Charlotte, NC, during their ongoing co-headlining shed tour.

Metallica and American Red Cross Open Immersive Blood Donation Experience in Las Vegas

Metallica, the American Red Cross and the band’s All Within My Hands foundation are opening a backstage-themed blood donation pop-up in Las Vegas timed to the band’s Sphere residency.

Bad Company’s ‘Live In London’ to Preserve Mick Ralphs’ Final Concert With the Band

Bad Company will issue ‘Live In London’ on November 13, 2026, an unreleased soundboard recording of the October 29, 2016 O2 Arena show that turned out to be founding guitarist Mick Ralphs’ last concert with the group.

Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam Returns to Asheville on December 12, 2026

Warren Haynes has confirmed his 34th annual Christmas Jam will take place at Asheville’s ExploreAsheville.com Arena on December 12, 2026, with the lineup to follow this fall.

Pink Floyd to Press ‘Meddle’ on Orange Marble Vinyl for National Album Day 2026

Pink Floyd will mark National Album Day 2026 with a San Tropez Orange Marble vinyl pressing of ‘Meddle’ and a restored high-resolution cut of the ‘Echoes’ sequence from ‘Crystal Voyager.’

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Introduce Neil Peart Documentary at TIFF Premiere

Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson took the stage at the Toronto International Film Festival to introduce “Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple,” a documentary on their late bandmate set to air on CBC on September 23, 2026.

Gene Simmons to Receive IEBA Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville

The International Entertainment Buyers Association will present Gene Simmons with its Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville on October 6, 2026.

Sammy Hagar Fires Back at Alex Van Halen Over ‘Complete Idiot’ Jab

Sammy Hagar addressed Alex Van Halen calling him a “complete idiot,” defending the sales success of his Van Halen years and asking his former drummer to explain what’s really bothering him.