Joseph Williams
Encyclopedia
Joseph Stanley Williams (born September 1, 1960 in Santa Monica
, California
), is an American
rock
singer and film score composer best known for his work in the rock band Toto
. He is the son of film composer John Williams
and actress/singer Barbara Ruick
and the grandson of jazz drummer Johnny Williams
and actors Melville Ruick
and Lurene Tuttle
.
(1986) and The Seventh One
(1988) before leaving due to personal problems. He can also be heard on the album Toto XX
(1998), a compilation of rare and unreleased tracks. He is featured on Toto's last album, Falling in Between
, sharing lead vocals with Steve Lukather
on Bottom of Your Soul
.
In addition to his guest spot on the last Toto album, Williams was a guest singer at several Toto concerts.
He was Toto's lead singer during the short tour through Europe in July 2010 and since then is listed as their official lead singer on the band website.
In 2003 he released an album called Vertigo, a project he initiated, but where he was not in full charge of the production, only recording and supplying the vocals. The second Vertigo album, "Vertigo 2", was released in 2006.
Williams released an album of cover songs from renowned artists such as Elton John
, Bryan Adams
, Diane Warren
, and Kevin Cronin
in 2006, called Two of Us
, featuring piano and voice only. He returned with two more voice & piano albums in 2007, Smiles and Tears
, also consisting of classic hits by popular artists.
His latest solo album containing original songs, This Fall
, was released in November 2008.
", and "The Lyon's Den
" starring Rob Lowe
.
In 2003 he was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Main Title Theme Music" for the TV series Miracles
.
The music to the CBS
miniseries Category 7: The End of the World
and the TV film Momentum were composed by him.
He was the writer of the original English lyrics for the song Lapti Nek and the Ewok Celebration from the original 1983 release of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
, which was scored and conducted by his father John. He also composed the Max Rebo Band source cues and an unknown source cue for the same film.
He provided backing vocals on Peter Cetera
's album World Falling Down
and co-wrote the song "Man In Me".
He provided lead vocals for three tracks - "Walk The Wire", "History" and "When You Look In My Eyes" - to Jay Graydon
's "Airplay for the Planet" album, subsequently touring with the band.
He provided backing vocals on Jon Anderson
's In the City of Angels
in 1988, most prominently on the song "Top of the World (The Glass Bead Game)".
In Disney
's animated feature film The Lion King
he can be heard as the singing voice of the adult Simba, singing on the songs "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".
In 1997 and 1998 respectively, he shared vocal duties on two albums by the a cappella
covers group The West Coast All Stars, the other vocalists being Bobby Kimball
, Bill Champlin
and Jason Scheff
, whereas Tommy Funderburk
replaced Champlin on the "Naturally" album.
Joseph Williams sings background vocals on Chicago's "King of Might Have Been" on the 2006 album "XXX" as well as on "Let's Take a Lifetime" on the 1993-recorded/2008-released album Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus
. The song "What You're Missing" from the Chicago album Chicago 16
was co-written by him.
He also sings backing vocals on five tracks of Steve Lukather's solo album Ever Changing Times
as well as on Lukather's solo album All's Well That Ends Well
.
Santa Mônica
Santa Mônica is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
), is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer and film score composer best known for his work in the rock band 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...
. He is the son of film composer John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
and actress/singer Barbara Ruick
Barbara Ruick
-Youth:Ruick was the daughter of actors Lurene Tuttle and Melville Ruick. She grew up acting out scenes with dolls, employing her mother as an audience. She attended Theodore Roosevelt High School , Burbank High School , and North Hollywood High School. She did little acting in high school but...
and the grandson of jazz drummer Johnny Williams
Johnny Williams (drummer)
Johnny Williams was an American jazz drummer and percussionist from the early 1930s to the late 1950s...
and actors Melville Ruick
Melville Ruick
Actor Melville Ruick was born in Boise, Idaho on July 8, 1898. He studied law at the University of California, but World War I changed him from a student lawyer to a student pilot. Ruick won his wings in the Air Service, Signal Corps, two weeks before the end of the war.During the lean years of...
and Lurene Tuttle
Lurene Tuttle
Lurene Tuttle was a character actress, who made transitions from vaudeville to radio, to films and television. Her most enduring impact was as one of network radio's most versatile actresses...
.
Toto
Joseph Williams was lead vocalist with Toto during the mid-to-late 1980s and was featured on the albums FahrenheitFahrenheit (Toto album)
Fahrenheit is the sixth studio album by Toto, released in 1986. It was their first album to feature Joseph Williams on lead vocals. Former lead singer Fergie Frederiksen was fired due to problems with his ability in the studio. However, he sings backing vocals on the song "Could This Be Love"...
(1986) and The Seventh One
The Seventh One
The Seventh One is Toto's seventh studio album. It was released in 1988, and became the best-received Toto album since Toto IV. This is the second and last album to feature Joseph Williams on lead vocals. He was fired after the Seventh One world tour due to loss of voice attributed to drug abuse....
(1988) before leaving due to personal problems. He can also be heard on the album Toto XX
Toto XX
Toto XX: 1977-1997 is a compilation album by Toto to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The album features rare original demos, outtakes, previously unreleased recordings and live tracks from the bands 20-year career.- Track listing :...
(1998), a compilation of rare and unreleased tracks. He is featured on Toto's last album, 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...
, sharing lead vocals with 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...
on Bottom of Your Soul
Bottom of Your Soul
"Bottom of Your Soul" is a song by the American Pop/Rock band Toto. There are two versions of the single, one with two songs and the other is a summer 2006 edition. It failed to make the charts in either the USA or UK...
.
In addition to his guest spot on the last Toto album, Williams was a guest singer at several Toto concerts.
He was Toto's lead singer during the short tour through Europe in July 2010 and since then is listed as their official lead singer on the band website.
Solo work as a singer
Williams released his first, self-titled solo album in 1982. After his tenure with Toto he has released several more. Many of Toto's members have contributed to his solo work over the years.In 2003 he released an album called Vertigo, a project he initiated, but where he was not in full charge of the production, only recording and supplying the vocals. The second Vertigo album, "Vertigo 2", was released in 2006.
Williams released an album of cover songs from renowned artists such as Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
, Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
, and Kevin Cronin
Kevin Cronin
Kevin Cronin is the lead vocalist/ rhythm guitarist/ occasional pianist for the American rock band, REO Speedwagon. REO Speedwagon had two #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 written by Cronin, "Keep on Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling" .- Early life and career :Cronin was born in Evanston,...
in 2006, called Two of Us
Two of Us (album)
Former Toto band member, Joseph Williams, recorded a compilation of cover love songs in 2006 entitled Two of Us. The album covers songs from renowned artists including Elton John, Bryan Adams, Diane Warren, Van Morrison and Kevin Cronin...
, featuring piano and voice only. He returned with two more voice & piano albums in 2007, Smiles and Tears
Tears (Joseph Williams album)
Tears is part of a two album concept recorded by Joseph Williams, former lead singer of Toto, that contains 12 cover songs focused on the heartaches and ups and downs of relationships. Smiles is the other half of the album concept which contains more upbeat, joyful renditions of classic hit songs...
, also consisting of classic hits by popular artists.
His latest solo album containing original songs, This Fall
This Fall
This Fall is a studio album by Joseph Williams released in 2008, the first containing new original material since 1997's 3.Initially released by WHD in Japan, it is also available through Music Taste on iTunes and CD Baby....
, was released in November 2008.
Work as a film composer
Joseph Williams has also been busy as a composer of film and drama scores, most notably for episodes of the science fiction series "RoswellRoswell (TV series)
Roswell is an American science fiction television series developed, produced, and co-written by Jason Katims. The series debuted on October 6, 1999 on The WB and moved to UPN for the third season. The last episode aired May 14, 2002...
", and "The Lyon's Den
The Lyon's Den
The Lyon's Den is a 2003 television series set in Washington, D.C. The legal drama starred Rob Lowe as a lawyer called Jack Turner, newly appointed as partner of a long-established law firm that, as the plot revealed, harbored some dark secrets...
" starring Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe
Robert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. Elmo's Fire, and Wayne's World. On television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert...
.
In 2003 he was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Main Title Theme Music" for the TV series Miracles
Miracles (TV series)
Miracles is an American drama television program starring Skeet Ulrich and Angus Macfadyen. Created by Richard Hatem and Michael Petroni, the series has sometimes been dubbed a "spiritual version of The X-Files" by its creators...
.
The music to the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
miniseries Category 7: The End of the World
Category 7: The End of the World
Category 7: The End of the World is a 2005 four-hour television film miniseries that was broadcast in the United States on CBS in two parts, the first part aired on November 6 and the second on November 13. A sequel to the 2004 miniseries Category 6: Day of Destruction, this film starts directly...
and the TV film Momentum were composed by him.
He was the writer of the original English lyrics for the song Lapti Nek and the Ewok Celebration from the original 1983 release of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth in terms of the series' internal chronology...
, which was scored and conducted by his father John. He also composed the Max Rebo Band source cues and an unknown source cue for the same film.
Session Work
Williams has been in demand as a session vocalist and can be heard on numerous projects by other artists, as well as on movie soundtracks.He provided backing vocals on Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
's album World Falling Down
World Falling Down
World Falling Down is the fourth solo album for music artist Peter Cetera and his third album since leaving the group Chicago. It was also his final album with Warner Bros Records...
and co-wrote the song "Man In Me".
He provided lead vocals for three tracks - "Walk The Wire", "History" and "When You Look In My Eyes" - to Jay Graydon
Jay Graydon
Jay Graydon is a Los Angeles songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, singer, producer, arranger, and recording engineer. He is the winner of two Grammy Awards with twelve Grammy nominations, among them the title "Producer of the Year" and "Best Engineered Recording". Jay Graydon has mastered many...
's "Airplay for the Planet" album, subsequently touring with the band.
He provided backing vocals on Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
's In the City of Angels
In the City of Angels
In the City of Angels is a solo album by Jon Anderson of progressive rock band Yes.This album unlike most of Anderson's works in that he invited outside songwriters to write for him, rather than creating an album wholly of his own material...
in 1988, most prominently on the song "Top of the World (The Glass Bead Game)".
In Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
's animated feature film The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
he can be heard as the singing voice of the adult Simba, singing on the songs "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".
In 1997 and 1998 respectively, he shared vocal duties on two albums by the a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
covers group The West Coast All Stars, the other vocalists being Bobby Kimball
Bobby Kimball
Robert Troy "Bobby" Kimball is an American singer, best known as the longtime frontman of the rock band Toto.- Early life:...
, Bill Champlin
Bill Champlin
William Bradford "Bill" Champlin is an American singer, guitarist, keyboard player, arranger, producer, and songwriter. His performance work is principally associated with the bands Chicago and the Sons of Champlin...
and Jason Scheff
Jason Scheff
Jason Randolph Scheff is an American bassist, singer and songwriter. Since 1985 he has been the bassist and singer for the veteran pop-rock band Chicago. He is the oldest son of well-known session bassist Jerry Scheff, who toured for several years with Elvis Presley...
, whereas Tommy Funderburk
Tommy Funderburk
Tommy Funderburk is an American rock and roll singer. He has recorded with artists such as Jon Anderson, Laura Branigan, Coverdale-Page, Melissa Manchester, Magnum, Mötley Crüe, Steve Lukather, Richard Marx, Rick Springfield, Starship, REO Speedwagon, Whitesnake, Yes and many others.Funderburk was...
replaced Champlin on the "Naturally" album.
Joseph Williams sings background vocals on Chicago's "King of Might Have Been" on the 2006 album "XXX" as well as on "Let's Take a Lifetime" on the 1993-recorded/2008-released album Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus
Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus
Stone of Sisyphus is a studio album by American rock band Chicago, released on June 17, 2008, after a nearly 15-year delay.-History:The album was set to be released as Chicago XXII in the United States on March 22, 1994. However, Warner Bros...
. The song "What You're Missing" from the Chicago album Chicago 16
Chicago 16
Chicago 16 is the 16th album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1982. The album marks the beginning of a new era for Chicago. It is the first album in a decade-long association with new label Warner Bros...
was co-written by him.
He also sings backing vocals on five tracks of Steve Lukather's solo album Ever Changing Times
Ever Changing Times
Ever Changing Times is the 5th solo album of Steve Lukather. It's also the first album of him since he left Toto. In March 2008, a site was launched in order to promote the album...
as well as on Lukather's solo album All's Well That Ends Well
All's Well That Ends Well (Steve Lukather album)
All's Well That Ends Well is the sixth studio album by Steve Lukather, released on vinyl and as a jewel case CD on October 11, 2010 by Mascot Records. In Europe a limited edition Digibook was also released, containing a booklet with studio pictures and liner notes from Lukather and producer CJ...
.
Toto albums
- 1986: FahrenheitFahrenheit (Toto album)Fahrenheit is the sixth studio album by Toto, released in 1986. It was their first album to feature Joseph Williams on lead vocals. Former lead singer Fergie Frederiksen was fired due to problems with his ability in the studio. However, he sings backing vocals on the song "Could This Be Love"...
- 1988: The Seventh OneThe Seventh OneThe Seventh One is Toto's seventh studio album. It was released in 1988, and became the best-received Toto album since Toto IV. This is the second and last album to feature Joseph Williams on lead vocals. He was fired after the Seventh One world tour due to loss of voice attributed to drug abuse....
- 1998: Toto XXToto XXToto XX: 1977-1997 is a compilation album by Toto to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The album features rare original demos, outtakes, previously unreleased recordings and live tracks from the bands 20-year career.- Track listing :...
(two previously unreleased songs) - 2006: Falling in BetweenFalling In BetweenFalling 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...
(sharing lead vocals on one song)
Solo Albums
- 1982: Joseph Williams (re-released 2002)
- 1996: I Am Alive
- 1997: 3
- 1999: Early Years
- 2003: Vertigo
- 2006: Two of UsTwo of Us (album)Former Toto band member, Joseph Williams, recorded a compilation of cover love songs in 2006 entitled Two of Us. The album covers songs from renowned artists including Elton John, Bryan Adams, Diane Warren, Van Morrison and Kevin Cronin...
- 2006: Vertigo 2
- 2007: Smiles and TearsTears (Joseph Williams album)Tears is part of a two album concept recorded by Joseph Williams, former lead singer of Toto, that contains 12 cover songs focused on the heartaches and ups and downs of relationships. Smiles is the other half of the album concept which contains more upbeat, joyful renditions of classic hit songs...
- 2008: This FallThis FallThis Fall is a studio album by Joseph Williams released in 2008, the first containing new original material since 1997's 3.Initially released by WHD in Japan, it is also available through Music Taste on iTunes and CD Baby....
- 2011: Williams/Friestedt
Guest Vocals (excerpt)
- 1988: In The City of Angels (Jon Anderson)
- 1990: Tatsuro Songs from L.A. (Compilation)
- 1990: Toy Matinee (Toy Matinee)
- 1991: Tatsuro Songs from L.A. 2 (Compilation)
- 1993: Airplay for the Planet (Jay Graydon)
- 1994: The Lion King (Original Movie Soundtrack)
- 1997: California Dreamin' (West Coast All Stars)
- 1998: Naturally (West Coast All Stars)
- 2002: LA Project (Peter Friestedt)
- 2006: Avalon (The Richie Zito Project)
- 2008: LA Project II (Peter Friestedt)