While
Toto IV was a massive,
Grammy-winning success, Toto elected not to continue touring in 1983, a decision
Steve Lukather has since regretted as a missed opportunity to become a "US-arena rock band." As the band began sessions for
Isolation, Kimball reportedly struggled with his vocals. although Lukather has stated that he only recorded a lead vocal on the track "Lion." The job was first offered to
Richard Page, who ultimately declined the offer because he had a contract for his band,
Mr. Mister. Lukather then wanted to offer the job to
Eric Martin, later of
Mr. Big, but Jeff was interested in
Fergie Frederiksen, then lead singer of the band
LeRoux. Frederiksen, who at the time was doing production work in Germany, joined the band in a rehearsal hall and secured the position after running four songs with the band. On
Isolation, Frederiksen co-wrote "Angel Don't Cry", "Mr. Friendly", "Change of Heart", and the title track. The first cover design for
Isolation was created by
David Lynch, with whom Toto had worked on
Dune. Though the band reportedly spent $25,000 on the work, the members were ultimately disappointed in it and did not use it. This cover also included Kimball. Jeff Porcaro ultimately persuaded the band to use a surreal image by artist Robert Kopecky. While the band was proud of the finished album, Lukather has noted that it was clear
Isolation did not "sound like the work of the same band that had made
Toto IV." Toto wanted to release the track "Endless," on which Frederiksen sang lead, as the first single. However,
Columbia Records opted for "Stranger in Town," sung by David Paich and thought to be more similar to the hit "
Africa." While "Stranger in Town" was a Top 30 hit, it was a disappointment compared to the chart topping success of the singles from
Toto IV. The promo music video (featuring actor
Brad Dourif) for the track was, however, nominated for MTV Video of the Year. Lukather thought that the tour to support
Isolation was disastrous; Toto had been booked into arenas based on the success of
Toto IV, the 10,000-seat venues were sparsely attended and, according to Lukather, the band "lost their shirts" on the tour. A tour of Europe was ultimately cancelled and Toto fired their booking agents.
Isolation would eventually achieve gold status in the United States and triple platinum status in Japan. Although Frederiksen would begin work with Toto on their sixth album,
Fahrenheit, he struggled with the vocals for the first track, "Could This Be Love," and the band moved on to Lukather's childhood friend (and son of
Academy Award-Winning
Composer John Williams)
Joseph Williams. ==Reception==