Real story of Don Henley's 'Dirty Laundry' : Steve Porcaro & David Paich on Sunset Sound Roundtable

Did you know that the genius behind those synthesizers on Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" was none other than Steve Porcaro of Toto acclaim?
Join us as we discuss the stories behind Steve Porcaro's iconic synth work on "Dirty Laundry." From how Steve first met Don, to the magic that brought the song to life, we've got it all covered.
Click below for the full Sunset Sound Roundtable episode, where we dive even deeper into the fascinating history of Toto's Steve Porcaro and David Paich!
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[@steveporcaro6136]

Yes, to be clear - those synth/organ parts were all Danny Kortchmar's, the co-writer of the song. I didn't mention Danny enough in my description of the session. He was totally guiding the proceedings, knew exactly what he wanted and was an absolute groove to work with. The genius behind the synth parts was Kootch - I'm describing how we pulled it off. I added some samples and sweetened it later but Danny was the man that night. I was always thrilled to get invited to the party.

[@marlaplunk2833]

That song is mad fun to play at my piano bar gig, but doesn't quite drive it home using a piano for the synth line. Left hand bass kills though. 🤣

[@heathday7360]

Thank you for the amazing,wonderful music you and your family created!

[@okiejoe83]

Mr. Porcaro, please forgive me if I speak to you as someone who does not understand all of the ins and outs of your profession and understanding of instrument, sound, technology. I am 58 and was in high school when Toto IV came out and I knew what I was hearing was something special. Today, I enjoy the docs and short videos regarding not just you but your father and brothers as well. I can't listen to Africa without thinking of your dad now that I know he plays on it. The world is a better place because of your father. He brought music into your home and allowed you and your brothers to express yourselves in your own way and through that, we are all blessed. One thing I would love to see is a complete listing of every record your father and your brothers were a part of. If it exists, could you please direct me there and if not, it would be such an important part of music history to know. Again, thank you for your efforts and keep the "behind the scenes" videos and books coming. Time well spent.

[@TheRomeerome]

Steve, you are my Hero!

[@jonathandaniel7424]

You get the sense that Steve is trying to say, "My brother Jeff was proud of me," and it was something he always wanted. Such a great story.

[@DonnyNoMarie]

Some things never change. The lyrics to "Dirty Laundry" are as true today as they were when this song was released in 1982. My favorite lyrics: "We got the bubble-headed bleach-blonde, comes on at five She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye It's interesting when people die Give us dirty laundry"

[@docsavage8640]

Nah, to be accurate now the news would have to blame it on racism.

[@the_black_arts]

Their stories are almost as great as the music they created. Absolute legends.

[@toddlentner1708]

Love the stories. The guys from Toto helped sooo many. Imagine how it would turn out without them…..hmmm. Thanks for sharing.

[@toolman8269]

Yes! Great stories! Joe Walsh did the first guitar solo and Luke did the second. Roger Linn even gets credit on this song!

[@bryancarpenter7470]

I absolutely LOVE the stuff you do with Steve and David! They were instrumental (pun intended) in so much of the music that is most important to me and they are SUCH a great interview!

[@jayzeagerauctioneer]

I could listen to these stories all night long. On a side note, Drew is absolutely perfect as an interviewer. He just tosses out a couple lines and let's the artist just tell their tales. Many other hosts (including myself when I was on the air) could learn from this way of conducting an interview.

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

💜🙏💜🙏

[@jayzeagerauctioneer]

@@sunsetsoundrecorders I was out in LA a couple months ago but if there is ever an opportunity to come by and visit the studio, I'll jump on a plane from Florida and do it in a heartbeat.

[@adam872]

Yep, it's the best kind of interview. The guest is usually the interesting person, otherwise they wouldn't be on there! Kudos to Drew.

[@linguinatorschwartz9309]

@jayzeager -- From your lips to God's ears. Sooo many interviewers will not SHUT THEIR MOUTHS and let the interviewee speak. The person who does this the worst is Sean Hannity. Dude will not shut up and let his guests speak. The best interviewer in history is a guy named Gill Gross. Years ago he had a national radio show that came on at midnight. He did as you described, he'd give his subject a question and let them tell their story. Made it so interesting.

[@TheCountofToulouse]

I like that when they mention the Eagles, they show the REAL Eagles. That lineup was the best.

[@kmcewenguitar]

Ahhhh AMAZING TRACK… So much iconic stuff going on with that. Walsh’s solo is seriously one of the coolest guitar moments ever. 🙏🙏

[@fivestring65ify]

I love these stories.

[@boni254]

There’s no enough words to describe these two geniuses. Legends. Apologise for my english

[@andrewmcgee1001]

I love the 'back stories' on music productions. It's amazing the amount of work and imagination that goes into just one song. The musicians, the producers, the engineers pour their heart and soul into "getting it right". When you finally hear the last mixdown, it's been a journey and often not an easy one. Thanks so much for posting!

[@Evetsocrate]

Oh my gosh I always dug that killer guitar solo!

[@ThrillingTwo]

Keep these clips coming!

[@Ron-t1x]

I knew there was a reason I loved that song!!

[@TimothySchell-k2l]

These back stories are golden. Legendary musicians every one of them!

[@juzzmeehlala7485]

Oh, man!!! I just love these stories! Makes me love members of TOTO even more! Where would these songs be without them?! TOTO for LIFE!!!

[@soundtechniques3047]

Drew, you have outdone yourself with this full interview. It is simply perfect and so beautiful!! Bravo!

[@cmikesmith664]

I can’t get enough of these stories.

[@wpochert]

This makes me so happy to see Dave and Steve together again

[@bbaker777]

I could listen to these guys tell their stories all night.

[@wendyw4487]

ask henley to tell the one about lining up the girls in front of his fireplace.......now that's some dirty laundry!

[@Hodgiez]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

[@jesusdiaz6663]

Mr Porcaro, I have been a fan of yours and Toto’s music ever since “Hold The Line” came out in 1978, and since you have also done session work with so many other great artists, I wonder if you had anything to do with the song “ Sunset Grill” by Don Henley. The huge brass solo in it is one of the best I’ve ever heard. I have always thought it comes from a synth with a HPF/ LPF in series layout, and the closest I’ve come to nailing it has been with a Korg MS-20 and my CS-80. Did you contribute to this song, or if you didn’t, do you happen to know how this patch was created? Thank you! 😊

[@davidgilpin5200]

As a teenager in the 1970s, I spent HOURS looking at the back sides of LPs and studying the liner notes. I had an epiphany one day... All of the songs and bands that I LOVED included Toto members. There will never be another Jeff Porcaro, I still miss him. Steve, I've always loved your keys everywhere. Paich, all those Boz Scaggs hits sound just as fresh today. Wild man Luke has seemingly played with everyone. Back in the day I dated a lady from Louisiana who was a childhood friend of Bobby Kimball, so I heard a few of his childhood stories. "Dirty Laundry" is just as relevant today as it was in 1982. Thanks guys for helping fill my head with quality music, composed and played by professionals. I often say - I grew up with the BEST MUSIC EVER!

[@EscutCavaller007]

Love the storytelling behind the scenes!

[@jascatt3341]

Wow! Just awesome interview!

[@nmjazz09]

This is really good! Great insight!

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks!

[@maximusaviationchannel]

I've been trying to find out the make and model of those mics they are using. Anybody know? Thanks.

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

Sennheiser 441

[@maximusaviationchannel]

@@sunsetsoundrecorders thanks! been trying to figure that out for a while now 🙏

[@chris-yo8nj]

Too expensive

[@romanticandperky]

On April 8th. of this year (2024), I was in a laundromat, washing some clothes, just as the eclipse was occuring. The reason I was there was because the washer and dryer in my home, located in my dead brother's room, are broken. He was (when he was alive, of course) in a band with Danny Kortchmar, and they co-wrote and co-produced three albums together! Now that I think of it: There's still clothe in his room that could do with a wash! Oh, Lord have mercy: I was sitting in a laundromat, doing some laundry, and my dead brother's remaining dirty laundry is still in his room with the copies of the records he made wih Danny Kortchmar! And there was an eclipse occuring! This is true, folks, and it's got to mean something! Btw, I once met Judy Garland shortly before she died. Toto was not with her at the time.

[@johannes8526]

Amazing story! Amazing track!

[@willritter4076]

that's pretty surprising that Porcaro didn't know who Don Henley was in 1982. .

[@ChrisDoyle2112]

I love this story about Steve and Jeff working on Henley’s solo album together!

[@CoolestFemale-fe1bz]

I am the reason music is back I love dirty laundry I put it on Facebook

[@smakusdod]

Farfisa gated by the cowbell. wow!!! fantastic.

[@okolekahuna3862]

Legends!

[@sweetpain67]

Wow, history.

[@thedubwhisperer2157]

Talking of dirty laundry, how's the miming at 'live' concerts going these days, Don?

[@kurtkensson2059]

Of course, no playing any of the song here!

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

And get flagged by KZbin? No thanks

[@SPAZZOID100]

????

[@kurtkensson2059]

@@SPAZZOID100 Don Henley has a well-deserved reputation for not allowing his music to be used by others.

[@jimmy5634]

I guess I don’t see the complicated effort needed to play this simple song.

[@madlift]

And that's why you aren't a music legend and they are.

[@SPAZZOID100]

????