Bobby Kimball
Encyclopedia
Robert Troy "Bobby" Kimball (born March 29, 1947) is an American
singer, best known as the longtime frontman of the rock band
Toto
.
, and was raised in nearby Vinton, Louisiana
, as Vinton did not have a hospital (thus, he was born across the state line). Kimball started singing as a child dabbling on voice and piano in a musical household throughout his youth. Throughout the 1970s, Kimball performed as a vocalist in various New Orleans
area bands
, including The Levee Band which would later become Le Roux after Kimball left. In 1976, Kimball joined S.S. Fools in which he was the lead vocalist as well as keyboard player. That same year, the band released their self titled album. The band broke up during its first tour.
, to form a new band called S.S. Fools. They released one album on CBS Records, but the band split up within a year and a half. About 6 months later, Kimball was asked by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, the two initial founding members of Toto, to join the five session musicians to form Toto. He submitted a self-penned audition song
for the band, "You are the Flower", which was included on their debut album. Kimball performed on the first four studio album
s by Toto. He was released from the band in 1984 during the sessions for Isolation
due to his out-of-control drug habit.
for a solo career under Producer Frank Farian
of the Far Corporation
Kimball also continued to work as a session singer, singing background vocals with a trio composed of Michael McDonald from The Doobie Brothers, and Bill Champlin of Chicago for and others. Bobby Kimball was nearly asked by the band to return to Toto during 1989-1990 to record songs for the band's greatest hits album, Past to Present 1977-1990
, only to be replaced by singer Jean-Michel Byron
(a decision said to have derived from Sony, the band's record company at the time). Byron was let go shortly thereafter, and guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather
took over Toto's primary lead vocal duties from 1991 to 1999. After leaving the band, Kimball released a live album Classic Toto Hits in late 1990, in which he performed various Toto songs from over the years. He recorded the album with the Frankfurt Rock Orchestra. In 1994, Bobby Kimball released his first solo album Rise Up featuring the single "Woodstock".
In 1998, Kimball rejoined Toto. The band then returned to the studio to record Mindfields
. Toto toured in support of Mindfields
throughout 1999 and 2000. In late 1999, the band released the live album Livefields
. In 2000, Kimball released his second solo album All I Ever Needed, with the single "Kristine". In 2002, Toto released a covers album Through the Looking Glass
. In February 2006, Toto released Falling In Between
, their first studio album of new material since 1999; however, it was announced in June 2008 that the band members have gone separate ways. Kimball is currently hosting his own website where he offers vocal advice to aspiring singers.
, the original lead vocalist of Foreigner
, and Dan McCafferty
, from the band Nazareth
.
On May 16, 2010, at the LMHOF Louisiana Music Homecoming in Erwinville, LA, Bobby Kimball was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
.
Kimball has just completed the vocals on a Duets CD with Jimi Jamison
, who sang with the band Survivor
, which will be released by Frontiers Records
in the Spring of 2011. Bobby is now recording his new Solo CDs and working with his Solo Band.
For 2011, Bobby has tours booked in Germany, Holland, The Far East, Iraq, and South America. With some of the various groups he sings with, there will also be some dates around the USA. By the end of 2011, Kimball should have 4 new CDs being released.
In July 2011, Kimball toured Ireland with an emerging Irish band, Shadowplay. The tour visited Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Sligo, concluding in a headline performance at The Buncrana Music Festival, Ireland's largest not-for-profit music event.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, best known as the longtime frontman of the rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
.
Early life
Robert (Bobby) Troy Kimball was born in Orange, TexasOrange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
, and was raised in nearby Vinton, Louisiana
Vinton, Louisiana
Vinton is a town in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,338 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History of Vinton:...
, as Vinton did not have a hospital (thus, he was born across the state line). Kimball started singing as a child dabbling on voice and piano in a musical household throughout his youth. Throughout the 1970s, Kimball performed as a vocalist in various New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
area bands
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, including The Levee Band which would later become Le Roux after Kimball left. In 1976, Kimball joined S.S. Fools in which he was the lead vocalist as well as keyboard player. That same year, the band released their self titled album. The band broke up during its first tour.
Tenure in Toto
In 1974, Bobby Kimball left Louisiana and moved to Los Angeles where he joined 3 members from the defunct band, Three Dog NightThree Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
, to form a new band called S.S. Fools. They released one album on CBS Records, but the band split up within a year and a half. About 6 months later, Kimball was asked by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, the two initial founding members of Toto, to join the five session musicians to form Toto. He submitted a self-penned audition song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
for the band, "You are the Flower", which was included on their debut album. Kimball performed on the first four studio album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s by Toto. He was released from the band in 1984 during the sessions for Isolation
Isolation (Toto album)
Allmusic's review praised the performances of Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, and Steve Lukather in passing but dismissed Isolation as "a Journey clone album, minus the aching ballads that had made Journey such a success."-Track listing:...
due to his out-of-control drug habit.
After Toto
After leaving Toto, Bobby Kimball relocated to GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for a solo career under Producer Frank Farian
Frank Farian
Frank Farian , is a German record producer and songwriter. He started out as a trained cook before moving into the music industry...
of the Far Corporation
Kimball also continued to work as a session singer, singing background vocals with a trio composed of Michael McDonald from The Doobie Brothers, and Bill Champlin of Chicago for and others. Bobby Kimball was nearly asked by the band to return to Toto during 1989-1990 to record songs for the band's greatest hits album, Past to Present 1977-1990
Past to Present 1977-1990
Past to Present 1977-1990 is the first compilation album by Toto, released in 1990. It contains nine hit songs from the band's first seven albums, and four new songs [#] recorded with new singer Jean-Michel Byron.- Track listing :...
, only to be replaced by singer Jean-Michel Byron
Jean-Michel Byron
Jean-Michel Byron is a South African born rock vocalist and lyricist, perhaps best known internationally as the lead vocalist for Los Angeles rock band Toto for their first Greatest Hits album, Past to Present, as well as the band's Greatest Hits Live...and More project...
(a decision said to have derived from Sony, the band's record company at the time). Byron was let go shortly thereafter, and guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather
Steve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
took over Toto's primary lead vocal duties from 1991 to 1999. After leaving the band, Kimball released a live album Classic Toto Hits in late 1990, in which he performed various Toto songs from over the years. He recorded the album with the Frankfurt Rock Orchestra. In 1994, Bobby Kimball released his first solo album Rise Up featuring the single "Woodstock".
Return to Toto
Mindfields
Mindfields is the 10th studio album by the American rock band Toto. It was released on November 16, 1999. Mindfields saw the return of vocalist Bobby Kimball, who departed the band following the 1982 album Toto IV.-Reception:...
. Toto toured in support of Mindfields
Mindfields
Mindfields is the 10th studio album by the American rock band Toto. It was released on November 16, 1999. Mindfields saw the return of vocalist Bobby Kimball, who departed the band following the 1982 album Toto IV.-Reception:...
throughout 1999 and 2000. In late 1999, the band released the live album Livefields
Livefields
Livefields is a live album by the band Toto. It was recorded during the reunion tour after the release of the album Mindfields, and released in late 1999...
. In 2000, Kimball released his second solo album All I Ever Needed, with the single "Kristine". In 2002, Toto released a covers album Through the Looking Glass
Through the Looking Glass (Toto album)
Through the Looking Glass is the 11th studio album by the American band Toto. It was released in 2002, three years after their last studio release, "Mindfields." The album consists of covers of songs that have inspired the band.-Reception:...
. In February 2006, Toto released Falling In Between
Falling In Between
Falling in Between is the 12th studio album by veteran American rock musicians, Toto. The album was released in February 2006 on the Italian label Frontiers Records, with a world tour to follow. It was the band's first studio release since Through the Looking Glass in 2002, and the first to include...
, their first studio album of new material since 1999; however, it was announced in June 2008 that the band members have gone separate ways. Kimball is currently hosting his own website where he offers vocal advice to aspiring singers.
Current activities
Bobby has been touring and doing concerts with many of his friends' bands around the world. In January 2010, he did 14 concerts in Germany on the "Rock Meets Classic" Tour with "The Prague Symphony Orchestra," featuring Philipp Maier as Conductor and Music Arranger. The singers with Kimball on this tour were Lou GrammLou Gramm
Lou Gramm is an American rock vocalist and songwriter best known for his role as the lead vocalist and co-writer of many of the songs for the rock band Foreigner. He also had a successful solo career...
, the original lead vocalist of Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, and Dan McCafferty
Dan McCafferty
Dan McCafferty is the lead singer for the Scottish hard rock band, Nazareth. Under the influence of artists such as Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Otis Redding, McCafferty became one of the founding members of Nazareth in 1968...
, from the band Nazareth
Nazareth (band)
Nazareth is a Scottish hard rock band, founded in 1968, that had several hits in the UK in the early 1970s, and established an international audience with their 1975 album Hair of the Dog. Perhaps their best-known hit single was a cover of the ballad "Love Hurts", in 1975...
.
On May 16, 2010, at the LMHOF Louisiana Music Homecoming in Erwinville, LA, Bobby Kimball was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame is an IRS certified 501 non-profit organization based in the state capitol of Baton Rouge, La., that seeks to preserve Louisiana's rich music culture and heritage and to further educate its citizens and people worldwide about the state’s unique role contributing...
.
Kimball has just completed the vocals on a Duets CD with Jimi Jamison
Jimi Jamison
Jimmy Wayne "Jimi" Jamison is a rock vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer for the band Survivor from 1984–1989 and 2000-2006.- Further biography :...
, who sang with the band Survivor
Survivor (band)
Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
, which will be released by Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
in the Spring of 2011. Bobby is now recording his new Solo CDs and working with his Solo Band.
For 2011, Bobby has tours booked in Germany, Holland, The Far East, Iraq, and South America. With some of the various groups he sings with, there will also be some dates around the USA. By the end of 2011, Kimball should have 4 new CDs being released.
In July 2011, Kimball toured Ireland with an emerging Irish band, Shadowplay. The tour visited Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Sligo, concluding in a headline performance at The Buncrana Music Festival, Ireland's largest not-for-profit music event.