Lead Singer Says Iconic Songs & Fans Keep Toto Going Strong, Credits His Dad For Work Ethic

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Toto has been one of rock n' roll's most durable bands, coming up on nearly five decades in the music industry, touring for almost as long. Having road to success in the late 1970's and 80's Toto easily recorded a half dozen of pop music's most recognizable songs, with current lead singer Joseph Williams enjoying their success for nearly 20 of those years. 

An accomplished composer, vocalist, and keyboard player Williams was destined to make his mark in the entertainment industry. The multi-talented long time front-man with Toto was born with the right musical DNA. His mother Barbara Ruick was a singer and actress, with her parents both early radio actors.

If that wasn't proof enough, Joseph's father is acclaimed film composer John Williams, winner of 26 Grammy Awards whose work includes 'Fiddler on the Roof', 'Jaws', 'Star Wars', 'ET', the 'Indiana Jones' franchise, 'Home Alone', 'Schindler's List', and 'Harry Potter' movies.

Safe to say Joseph Williams believes he came from good stock. He remembers being surrounded by music growing up. "That's pretty much the way it was for me. My earliest consciousness and first memories as a kid revolve around singing and music. I grew up with older siblings that introduced me to all types of music."

However, the younger Williams first real taste of the limelight came when he took over for original Toto singer Bobby Kimball in 1986. The Grammy Award winning band were still riding high on the success of 'Toto IV' (1982) and the chart topping singles 'Africa' and 'Rosanna'. 

Williams spent two and a half years fronting Toto from 1986-1988 advancing their hit song repertoire with the Top 20 hit 'I'll Be Over You' (#1 on AC chart) off the band's sixth album release 'Fahrenheit', following that with 'Pamela', a #9 hit on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1988 off the appropriately title 'The Seventh One'.

After a long hiatus, Williams rejoined Toto in 2010 and has been a pillar of the band for the past 15 years. While founding member Steve Lukather turned 68 back in October and with Williams set to be 66 later this year, do the two mainstays in the band talk about slowing down or calling it quits. "Those conversations never come up. Steve and I are doing good, and we dig the travel."

Williams biggest personal motivator when it comes to his own longevity. "Without question, it's my dad. I hear his voice in the back of my head. If you're having fun and are still at the top of your game then there's no reason to stop. He's had some of his biggest successes in his seventies and eighties."

Breaking it down further "My dad's going to be 94 (Feb 8th) and still at it. I think he is Steven Spielberg's go to guy for film scores. And when he's not composing he travels to conducts orchestras. My dad definitely inspires me more than anyone else I know."

In 2025 Toto performed before over 600K fans, proving they still can draw audiences. To what does Williams account for their popularity. "There's definitely been a resurgence for 80's music. Younger audiences are discovering it, and finding it interesting." The upside for the band. "It's helping us. Keeping us out on the road and riding a wave."

Toto also marked their one billionth Spotify stream in 2025. A huge achievement for any band. Jokingly Williams declares. "If only each stream paid the band a dollar. But again, it keeps our music out there, and allows up to keep going." He admits Toto has been rejuvenated of late. "Definitely. The spirit in the band is the same as it was in the beginning. And that's a good feeling, because we've always been old school."

As if the band's accolades weren't enough 'Africa' the single surpassed 10 million in sales last year. ""That's crazy. It's an earworm that gets stuck in your head. Thankfully with it being played in 'Stranger Things' and covered by Weezer that helped keep it in the mainstream."

Williams has deeper appreciation for the song. "It's my favorite thing to do in the show. I love the way the audiences react and get into it. It's the perfect song to sing along with. Everyone knows the chorus."

To secure his continued contribution to Toto, Williams recently has lost weight and has followed a more healthy regimen. "I've been up and down over the years. But you get to a certain age and you say to yourself 'I won't be able to maintain this lifestyle if I'm not in shape'."

While he admits to wanting to stay fit for the band, it's more than just the band that's prompting his new lifestyle choices. "I've been on this current health kick about 18 months, and a lot of what got me started is having grandchildren and wanting to around for them, and to continue to tour at a higher level, give the fans a proper show." Williams currently has two grandchildren and third on the way. "Life is good for me right now."

The band that first formed in 1977 and cracked the Top Five with 'Hold the Line' in '78 is about to celebrate their 50th anniversary next year. Williams credits two particular things when it comes to the Toto's durability. "We're incredibly grateful fans have stayed with us throughout the years. Really it's amazing. And it's all due to the popularity of the songs. Our song catalog speaks for itself."

Even diehard fans of Toto might be surprised, during Williams two decade hiatus from touring and recording with Toto, he kept active in the industry. Few people know he provided the singing voice of adult Simba in the 1994 animated film 'The Lion King' and the two most popular songs from the movie 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight'. "Originally I was supposed to sing in 'Aladdin', but they went in a different direction, and they came back and offered me 'The Lion King'. It all worked out for me."

Much like Lukather who has put his session work on over 1500 albums, Williams admits he prefers to stay busy and is drawn to a variety of music styles. "Absolutely. I'm the type of person who doesn't like to stay idle." Adding, "Fortunately through my dad I know a lot of people in the film and TV industry. I know George (Lucas) and Steven (Spielberg), and people at Disney."

Despite taking a break from Toto, Williams continues to be a force for the band, admitting Lukather easily is Toto's backbone. "Luke (Lukather) has always been the driving force behind Toto, even more so in the 90's and the 2000's. He's amazing. He's a natural virtuoso, a talented musician, outgoing, and just an overall nice guy." 

Since their self titled debut release in 1978 Toto has gave the music world 14 studio albums and and sold over 50 million records worldwide, receiving several Grammy Awards as well as being inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009. "It's been a good ride."

And the ride continues in 2026, as low country fans have another opportunity to enjoy Toto live, as Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams have curated a new set list for this excursion, featuring more than two hours of music nightly. 'An Evening with Toto' makes a tour stop at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Tuesday Feb 24th. "Love playing Charleston. Fans are great there." Tix & info at https://www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/toto