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Joseph Williams




Joseph Williams is a rock singer and film score composer best known commercially for his work in the rock/pop band Toto , although his voice is well known to millions more from the soundtrack to the classic Disney cartoon " The Lion King ", for which he provided the singing voice of the main character, Simba.


HISTORY

Joseph Williams was lead vocalist with Toto during the mid-to-late 1980's, 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 " (to be released in the U.S. in February 2006).

He has released four solo albums: "Joseph Williams" (1982, re-released 2002), "I Am Alive" (1996), "3" (1997) and "Early Years" (1998). 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 been an incredibly in demand as a session singer since his first appearance in the spotlight with Toto, 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 Capella covers group The West Coast All Stars; "California Dreamin'" and "Naturally" (1997/1998 respectively). The other vocalists are Bobby Kimball (another well-known Toto alumni), Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff (from the band Chicago ).

  • Providing lead vocals to the self titled first album by the band "Vertigo" in 2003.


His brother, Mark T. Williams, is a solo and session drummer who has played drums for Air Supply and a variety of other bands. 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 Speilberg '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 new Toto album, the second "Vertigo" album has been recorded and is due for release in 2006.


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 (Vertigo)



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

  • 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 : Calfornia 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)



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