Hard rock band Toad wormed in Basel, Switzerland in 1970. Founded by former Hawkwind member Vittorio ‘Vic’ Vergeat (guitar), Benjamin Jaeger (vocals), and former Brainticket members Werner Fröhlich (bass) and Cosimo Lampis (drums), the group released their self-titled debut album in 1971. During the same sessions, the group recorded the song “Stay” which was a successful stand-alone single and caught the attention of the general public. However, vocalist Benjamin Jaeger left the group and was not replaced (both Vergeat and Fröhlich took over lead vocals). Their blues-based second album, Tomorrow Blue (1972), was followed by Open Fire: Live in Basel 1972 (1973). Two years later, they returned with the stand-alone hit single “Purple Haze” (a Jimi Hendrix cover) and the album Dreams, which continued their blend of blues and hard rock along with elements of progressive rock. After the release of the live album Yearnin’ Learnin’: Live 1978, Toad’s popularity waned and the band went through line-up changes before returning with the albums Stop This Crime (1993), Hate to Hate (1995), B.U.F.O. (Blues United Fighting Organization) (2003), and Behind the Wheels (2004). While their later releases didn’t generate the excitement of their ‘70s albums, the band’s music influenced other Swiss hard rock and metal bands including Celtic Frost and Krokus. Founding guitarist Vittorio ‘Vic’ Vergeat died on November 1, 2023, at the age of 72.
