Joseph Williams Totally Explained

Everything about Joseph Williams totally explained

Joseph Williams (born September 1, 1960), is an American rock singer and film score composer best known commercially for his work in the prog/rock/pop band Toto.

History

Joseph Williams was lead vocalist with Toto during the mid-to-late 1980s, and was featured on the albums "Fahrenheit" (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, as well as co-writing and providing backing vocals on several more. He is featured on Toto's current CD, "Falling In Between"
He has released four solo albums: "Joseph Williams" (1982, re-released 2002), "I Am Alive" (1996), "3" (1997) and "Early Years" (1998, after being a fanclub only release a few years earlier). Many of Toto's members have contributed to his solo work over the years as he and the band have remained on good terms.
Joseph has also been a session vocalist and can be heard on numerous other projects including:

The song "Save The Night" on the soundtrack to the children's adventure film "The Goonies" (1985)
Lead vocals on three tracks - "Walk The Wire", "History" and "When You Look In My Eyes" from Jay Graydon's "Airplay for the Planet" album (1993)
On the songs "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from Disney's animated feature film "The Lion King" (1994)
Sharing vocal duties on two albums by the a cappella covers group The West Coast All Stars; "California Dreamin'" and "Naturally" (1997/1998 respectively). The other vocalists are Bobby Kimball (another well-known Toto alumnus), Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff (from the band Chicago).
Providing lead vocals to the self titled first album by the band "Vertigo" in 2003.

He was also the writer of the original English lyrics for the song Lapti Nek and the Ewok Celeration from the original 1983 release of, which was scored and conducted by his father John. Ties to the band Chicago:

When Toto's Jeff Porcaro offered Jason Scheff the job of lead vocalist (replacing Fergie Fredricksen), Jason declined having already just gotten the job as new lead vocalist for Chicago (replacing Peter Cetera). Jason however recommended Joseph to Toto instead, after Chicago had just been listening to demos with Joseph singing lead vocals earlier that day, looking for material for the Chicago 18 album. Although none of his songs ended up on the album, a song written by Joseph, What You're Missing, appeared on the earlier "16" album.

Jason Scheff was also a close friend of Joseph's brother, Mark.

Joseph and Jason have also appeared on each other's recordings.

Joseph sings background vocals on Chicago's "King of Might Have Been" from the 2006 album, XXX. His brother, Mark Towner Williams, is a solo and session drummer who has played drums for Air Supply and a variety of other bands. The two brothers recorded a duo album in 1990/1991, but didn't succeed in landing a record deal for the album, which was subsequently cancelled. Mark has been working on remixing the album for a possible release since 1998, however the two brothers seemingly haven't found the time to rework it for an official release. Joseph recently commented that it was difficult to find the opportunity to do as Mark currently resides in Utah and Joseph in Los Angeles. Joseph and Mark are the sons of the internationally famous and multi- Academy Award winning composer/conductor John Williams, responsible for soundtracks to the Star Wars films and nearly all of Steven Spielberg's films including Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park and Schindler's List.
   Since leaving Toto in 1989, Williams has kept busy as a composer of film and drama scores, most notably for episodes of the science fiction series "Roswell", and "The Lyon's Den" starring Rob Lowe.
   In addition to his guest spot on the last Toto album "Falling in Between", a guest spot at several Toto concerts, the second Vertigo album "Vertigo 2" has been released in 2006. Williams also released an album of cover songs in 2006 featuring piano and voice only "2 of us" and returned with 2 other voice & piano albums in 2007 (Smiles and Tears). Currently he's recording a new album, to be released in 2008.
   Rumour has it that both Joseph Williams and Fergie Frederiksen (singer on Toto's "Isolation") will join Toto on their 30th anniversary tour in 2008/9. In March 2008 Worldwide TOTO fans teamed up to make a special gift to the band in occasion of their 30th anniversary. Every fan took part in this big project called IV TOTO by sending over a little dedication text to TOTO and among the 2000 e-mails received, the lyrics of a fantastic song took off… a song whose destiny is to quickly become the Worldwide TOTO Fans Anthem. Music was written by Giorgio Onorato Aquilani and played by some of the greatest musicians among TOTO fans! Special guest is the original singer from TOTO, Bobby Kimball, whose generosity and friendship have helped so much to reach the level of the passion and love that fills the track! The official delivery of the gift to the members of the band took place in Tokyo on March 20/21st in occasion of two special shows at the JCB hall.

Discography

Solo Albums & Lead Vocals

1982: Joseph Williams

1986: Fahrenheit (Toto)

1988: The Seventh One (Toto)

1996: I Am Alive

1997: 3

1999: Early Years

2003: Vertigo

2004 - 2006: Two Of Us

2006: Vertigo 2

2007: Smiles & Tears

Solo Singles

1982: That First Night

1982: (Momma) I Didn't Do It / One More Chance

1996: Heroes / I Believe in You

1996: Dirty Little War

1996: Perfectly Clear / Heroes

Solo Non-Album Singles

1984: Toughen Up / Fire Power (from the Body by Jake soundtrack)

1985: Save the Night (from the Goonies Movie Soundtrack)

1986: My One / DJ in my Life

1995: Look at Me

Guest Vocals

1990: Tatsuro Songs from L.A. (Compilation)

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)

1998: Toto XX (Toto)

1999: In a Dream (Lionel's Dad)

2006: Falling in Between (Toto)Further Information

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