Legendary singer…
Bobby started playing piano at the young age of 4 years old. His Mother had the rare gift of “Perfect Pitch”, and could play just about anything she heard. This was an inspiration to Bobby and his oldest brother, and soon both of them started their own bands when Bobby was only 8 year old. The members of Bobby’s band were the younger brothers of his oldest brother’s band.
Growing up in Louisiana was truly a gift for Bobby, due to such a wide variety of music styles and fantastic musicians to play with. Living about 10 miles from the Texas border played a big role in his music career, because there were so many 5000 seat clubs stationed along the Texas border inside Louisiana. The drinking age in Texas was 21 years old, and in Louisiana it was 18 years old. This leaves little doubt as to why these 5000 seat clubs were completely packed on the weekends, and it was a huge influence on Bobby’s decision to become a musician instead of a Medical Doctor. After 5 years of University studies in the medical field, Bobby decided to follow the path that made him the happiest, and he became a full-time musician.
After playing and singing with about 15 different bands in Louisiana and Texas, Bobby ended up in a band called “The Levee Band”, which became a high watermark of musicianship and talent. In the middle of a tour with The Levee band, Bobby received a call from a long time musician friend, Jon Smith, who asked him to come to LA and sing with the musicians who had made up the band “Three Dog Night”, one of Bobby’s favorite bands ever. He had to make a very hard decision to leave, not only one of the best bands he had ever played with, but also his native Louisiana home.
After arriving in LA to meet the band, things changed drastically for Bobby. He was finally in the city where the music industry thrived, and most of the great musicians and singers who had created the hit songs that drew him into the fold to become a musician were living and working. After this band got together, they signed a contract with CBS Records under the name “S.S. Fools”, which was the title of the first and only LP recorded by them. This band lasted for about 18 months before Bobby decided to leave them for better opportunities. During the rehearsal stages of “S.S. Fools”, Bobby first met, and became friends with Jeffery Porcaro (then, the drummer with “Steely Dan”), and David Paich (who had just co-written the Grammy winning “Silk Degrees” LP with Boz Scaggs). Jeff and David were at most of our rehearsals, because they loved the music of “Three Dog Night” as well. A few months after leaving S.S. Fools, Bobby was asked by Jeff and David (the initial founders of Toto), to become the lead singer. There were no questions, nor hesitation about his decision to join this band. They were the best musicians Bobby had ever heard, and a perfect platform for his voice.
The very first LP Toto released, entitled “Toto”, broke out with the massive hit single, “Hold The Line”. The band was nominated for a Grammy as “Best New Band” that year, but lost to “A Taste of Honey”.
Toto’s music was very well received and the band built a huge following of very loyal fans. Bobby was in the band for the recording of the first 4 records (“Toto”, “Hydra”, “Turn Back”, and “TotoIV”). It was the “Toto IV CD” that absolutely defined the band, and it’s future. At the 1982 Grammy Awards, The “Toto IV” CD was nominated for a “record breaking” NINE Grammy Awards. Out of these nine nominations, the band won SIX Grammy Awards, based on the strength and popularity of the song, “Rosanna”. Also, Steve Lukather, co-writer of “Turn Your Love Around”, with Jay Gradon and Bill Champlin, won a 7th Grammy. Altogether, the band brought home 7 Grammy Awards that evening, …which set a precedent for the number of Grammy Awards ever won by a single band in one year.
It was in the middle of the recording of the 5th CD that some differences broke out amongst the members of the band, and Bobby was asked to leave Toto. The band went through several singers, Fergie Frederikson & Joseph Williams, to name a couple of really great vocalists.
Bobby moved to Germany for 6 years, and recorded his first CD there with Frank Farian called “The Far Corporation”. This is where he met Simon Philips, who played drums on the CD. The CD did very well in the charts in Europe, and a 2nd CD was in the works by then.
Bobby ended up recording 3 more CDs in Germany:
1. “Rise Up”
2. “Tribute to Ray Charles”
3. “The Toto Classic Hits”
After several vocalist changes with Toto, in 1998, Bobby was asked to rejoin the band, which put the band back to it’s most original form, and he remained the lead vocalist for the next 10 years until the band dissolved in 2008.
Not long after his departure from Germany, Bobby met, and began co-writing his next CD work with his friend John Zaika. The CD was entitled “All I Ever Needed”. Now, John and Bobby are starting on their 2nd project, but this time, they have started their own Record label called:
“Future Memories Music”
Bobby and John’s next CD work will be the first thing to be released on that new label, and then, other artists will be considered to join the label. John and Bobby are writing the new CD now (May 2011).
Bobby spent about 2 weeks, beginning may 8th, 2011, touring in Kuwait & Iraq for the US Troops. “It was one of the most interesting tours I’ve ever done. I learned so much about what was going on in the Middle East, that most people have no clue about.”
Since the dissolution of Toto in 2008, Bobby has been touring the world over, non-stop. At this time, he has 6 major tours lined up, and more on the way. “I’ve never been this busy in my whole career in music. I love touring, and I always have fun on the road with the fans.”
“I’ve been working on a Solo CD for several years now, and now I’m finally getting some time to finish it. I’m using some of the best musicians around the LA area, and this is a CD which will surely not disappoint the fans.”
“I’ve just completed a Duets CD with Jimi Jamison from “Survivor”, which will be out at the end of the Summer of 2011. It’s a great Rock CD, and so fun to make it.”
“I have so many projects going at the same time, it’s keeping me busier than ever. I love my work, and I’m having more fun now than I’ve ever experienced in music.”
Words and photo from the official website. Read more about Bobby Kimball at his official website.
Discography
Mysterious Sessions
Purple Pyramid Records 2024
Tracks: Side A: Hold The Line, Have A Cigar, Get Back, I´m Not In Love & Who´s Crying Now. Side B: Africa, Give A Little Bit, The Dance, Something About You & Rosanna.
Musicians on the Mysterious Sessions album: Bobby Kimball, Bruve Kulick, Mike Porcaro, Greg Bissonette, Tony Kaye, Alan White, Billy Sherwood, Nektar, Patrick Moraz, Gary Griffin, Waddy Wachtel, Derek Sherinian and others.
Mysterious Sessions
Purple Pyramid Records 2017
Tracks: Hold The Line, Have A Cigar, Get Back, I´m Not In Love, Who´s Crying Now, Africa, Give A Little Bit, The Dance, What It Takes, Something About You, Please Come Home For Christmas & Rosanna.
Musicians on the Mysterious Sessions album: Bobby Kimball, Bruve Kulick, Mike Porcaro, Greg Bissonette, Tony Kaye, Alan White, Billy Sherwood, Nektar, Patrick Moraz, Gary Griffin, Waddy Wachtel, Derek Sherinian and others.
We´re Not In Kansas Anymore
Inakustik Records 2016
Tracks: Too Far Behind, On My Feet, Hey It´s Me, One Day, Flatline, Met Her For, Hold On, Scam, You´ll Be With Me, Some They Do & You´re Not Alone.
Musicians on the We´re Not In Kansas Anymore: Bobby Kimball and others.
Kimball Jamison
Frontiers Records 2012
Tracks: Worth Fighting For, Cant Wait For Love, Sail Away, Chasing Euphoria, Find Another Way, Get Back In The Game, I Did Everything Wrong, Shadows Of Love, Hearts Beat Again & We Gotta Believe.
Musicians on the Kimball Jamison album: Bobby Kimball, Jimi Jamison, Alex Beyrodt, Matt Sinner, Jimmy Kresic & Martin Schmidt.
Elements
Frontiers Records 2010
Tracks: DISC 1: YOSO, Path To Your Heart, Where You'll Stay, Walk Away, The New Revolution, To Seek The Truth, Only One, Close The Curtain, Won't End Tonight, Come This Far, Time To Get Up & Return To Yesterday. DISC 2: YOSO, Rosanna, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Walk Away, Good for You, Yes Medley: (Your's is no Disgrace - Heart of the Sunrise - South Side of the Sky - Starship Trooper - I've Seen all Good People), To Seek the Truth, Hold the Line, Cinema, Gift with a Golden Gun & White Sister.
Musicians on the Yoso album: Bobby Kimball, Billy Sherwood, Tony Kaye and other.
Sings Toto Classics
Rockarola Records 2008
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the Sings Toto Classics album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Classic Toto Hits
CoraZong Records 2000
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the The Hits Of Toto album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
The Hits Of Toto
Armoury Records 2000
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the The Hits Of Toto album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
All I Ever Needed
Troika Music LLC 1999
Tracks: 'Till Tomorrow, All I Ever Needed, My Kinda Lover, Two Souls, This Time, Kristine, Live The Groove, Do You Ever, Loves Gonna Find You & Hand In Hand.
Musicians on the All I Ever Needed album: Bobby Kimball, Buzzy Feiten, Dave Barnett, Mike Barnes, Mitchell Foreman, Marc Hugenberger, Brian Bromberg, Alec Milstien, Joel Taylor, Dave Butler, Jim Foster, Fulton Turnage, Doug Webb, John Zaika, Karl Eagan, Mickey Thomas, Larry Batiste, Jeanie Tracy & Tony Lindsay.
Tribute To Toto
RTI Music 1997
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Classic Toto Hits
Mausoleum Classix Records 1996
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna & Isolation.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Rise Up
Victor Records 1995
Tracks: Woodstock, Rise Up, Annalies, Is It Over, Let's Talk About Love, Who Cries Now, Live In The Night, Long Hair Woman, You've Got A Friend, To Be Your Everything, Lay Down Your Arms, Paralyzed & Shot Down Love.
Musicians on the Rise Up Album: Bobby Kimball, Bruce Gowdy, Mark Free, Guy Allison, Ricky Phillips, Marcus Deml, Oliver Poschmann, Andreas Lucas, Carmelo Mafali, Thomas Simmerl, Michael Sadler, Linda Rocco, Yvonne Williams, Thomas Wellnowski & Franco Ditmann.
Classic Toto Hits
MMS Records 1994
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
The Best Of Toto
Farad Records 1996
Tracks: Hold The Line, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Holyanna, Anna, I´ll Be Over You, Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Africa, Isolation, Cool Change & One Day At Time.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Rise Up
MMS Records 1994
Tracks : Woodstock, Rise Up, Annalise, It Is Over, Let´s Talk About Love, Who Cries Now, Live In The Night, Long Hair Woman, You´ve Got A Friend, To Be Your Everything, Lay Down Your Arms, Paralyzed & Shot Down Love.
Musicians on the Rise Up album: Bobby Kimball, Thomas Simmerl, Oliver Poschmann, Marcus Deml, bruce Gowdy, Andreas Lucas, Carmelo Mafali, Linda Rocco, Michael Sadler, Guy Allison, Yvonne Williams, Marc Free, Thomas Wellnowski, Franco Dittmann & Ricky Phillips.
Woodstock
MMS Records 1994
Tracks: Woodstock, Rise Up, Paralyzed, Shot Down Love & You´ve Got A Friend.
Musicians on the Rise Up album: Bobby Kimball, Thomas Simmerl, Oliver Poschmann, Marcus Deml, bruce Gowdy, Andreas Lucas, Carmelo Mafali, Linda Rocco, Michael Sadler, Guy Allison, Yvonne Williams, Marc Free, Thomas Wellnowski, Franco Dittmann & Ricky Phillips.
Toto Superhits
NAR Records 1994
Tracks: Hold The Line, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Holyanna, Anna, I´ll Be Over You, Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Africa, Isolation, Cool Change & One Day At Time.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Tribute To Ray Charles
MMS Records 1993
Tracks: I've Got News For You, Unchain My Heart, Ol'man River, What'd I Say, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, I Don't Need No Doctor, Georgia On My Mind, Don't Set Me Free, Got To Get You Into My Life, Ruby, Please Come Home For Christmas, Hit The Road Jack, That Lucky Old Sun & I Can't Stop Loving You.
Musicians on the Tribute To Ray Charles album: Bobby Kimball, Harry Petersen, Manfred Lindner, Wilson de Oliveria, Christof Lauer, John Oslawski, Rainer Heute, Volker Stegmann, Paul Lanzerath, Alexander Malempre, Stephan Zimmermann, Dieter Grunewald, Eckard Baur, Torolf Malgaard, Peter Grutzner, Richard Bergmann, Manfred Honetschlager, Manfred Kullmann, Werner Vetterer, Christian Muller, Eberhard Leibling, Herbert Bings, Freddy Santiago, Dave King, Ulla Wiesner, Renate Otta, Peter M.L. Bauchwitz & Edward Reekers.
Classic Toto Hits
ISBA Entertainment 1990
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Music Of Toto
BCI Music 1990
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the Music Of Toto album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.
Classic Toto Hits
MMS Records 1990
Tracks: Child´s Anthem, Out Of Love, Rosanna, I Won´t Hold You Back, Hold The Line, I´ll Be Over You, Africa, Holyanna, Anna, Isolation, One Day At Time & Cool Change.
Musicians on the Classic Toto Hits album: Bobby Kimball & Frankfurt Rock Orchestra.