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Bobby Kimball

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Bobby Kimball

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Bobby Kimball

Latest setlist, bobby kimball on january 27, 2018.

Butlins Minehead Resort, Minehead, United Kingdom

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Bobby Kimball Concert Setlists & Tour Dates

Bobby kimball at the coach house, san juan capistrano, ca, usa.

• Child's Anthem
• Girl Goodbye
• White Sister
• Gift With a Golden Gun
• English Eyes
• I Won't Hold You Back
• Goodbye Elenore
• Burn Down the Mission / Good Golly Miss Molly
• Georgy Porgy
• I'll Be Over You
• Afraid of Love
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Bobby Kimball at Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood, CA, USA

Bobby kimball at fallens dagar, trollhättan, sweden, bobby kimball at seaside björkö, björkö, sweden, bobby kimball at göta källare, stockholm, sweden.

• Falling in Between
• A Million Miles Away

Bobby Kimball at Madam Felle, Bergen, Norway

• Hold the Line
• Burn Down the Mission / My Father's Gun / Good Golly Miss Molly

Bobby Kimball at Olsen På Bryn, Oslo, Norway

Bobby kimball at mehrzweckhalle, münnerstadt, germany.

• I'll Supply the Love
• Don't Chain My Heart
• Make Believe
• With a Little Help From My Friends

Bobby Kimball at Festival de Viña del Mar 2015

• Living Your Life for Happiness

Bobby Kimball

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Most played songs

• Hold the Line ( 25 )
• Rosanna ( 25 )
• Africa ( 23 )
• Girl Goodbye ( 22 )
• Child's Anthem ( 18 )

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Artists covered

The Beatles Deep Purple The Doobie Brothers Robben Ford Donny Hathaway The Jimi Hendrix Experience Paul McCartney John Miles The Moody Blues The Police Prince Queen Nina Simone Toto Sonny Boy Williamson

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71 people have seen Bobby Kimball live.

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A Light on History!

700 procter street  |  port arthur, texas, 77640 | (409) 982-7000.

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Bobby kimball, born: march 29, 1947 in orange, texas.

Bobby Kimball graduated from Vinton High School where he played football and ran track. He attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and sang with the Levee Band and other groups before moving to Los Angeles in 1974. ​ He subsequently formed a new band, S.S. Fools, with three members of Three Dog Night. The new band folded after a short time, and Kimball was asked by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro to join five session musicians to form Toto. Kimball submitted a self-penned audition song for the band, "You Are the Flower,” which was included on their debut album.   Kimball performed on the first four studio albums by Toto and sang on the smash Billboard hits "Rosanna" and "Africa." Toto’s albums include Toto (double platinum record), Hydra (gold record), and Toto IV (triple platinum record). After being asked to leave the band, he rejoined the band in 1998 until the band split up in 2008. Since that time, Kimball would often tour with many of his friends' bands in subsequent years.

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Bobby Kimball and Toto perform "Africa."

Watch Toto Reunite With ‘Africa’ Singer David Paich at Final Show for ‘Foreseeable Future’

By Andy Greene

Andy Greene

Toto wrapped up the final show of their 40 Trips Around the Sun tour at Philadelphia’s Metropolitan Opera House on Sunday night, and, according to guitarist Steve Lukather, it’s going to be their last performance for quite some time.

“I don’t know what the future-future’s gonna be, but I do know that’s gonna be the last show in Philly for the foreseeable future,” he told The Morning Call earlier this month. “And certainly the end of this configuration of Toto.”

They’ve been playing without keyboardist David Paich throughout the past year due to health problems, but he made a surprise appearance when the group played Los Angeles in September and he came out again near the end of the Philadelphia show to perform “Africa.” He co-wrote the 1982 classic and sang lead on the verses. (Bobby Kimball handled the chorus.) Here’s fan-shot video of Paich’s return to the stage in Philadelphia.

The band was rather vague on why Paich was stepping aside last year, but Lukather explained the situation in detail when he spoke to The Morning Call . “It was really the scariest thing ever,” he said. “He had some sort of a seizure [on the bus during a European tour] or something like that. We went home and he had to retire from touring because of his health. Apparently he pushed himself a little too hard and he fell. I mean, Dave’s still playing. He can sing. He’s up and about and he’s happy and he’s walking around. But he’s not built for speed anymore.”

It may seem like an odd time for Toto to take a long break considering all the attention that “Africa” has received over the past couple of years — which has helped them pack venues all over the world. But Lukather has been balancing his role in Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band with Toto for several years and he’s burned out.

“This kind of lifestyle is way harder than people think it is,” he said. “They just think that we float around from city to city magically and live a life of luxury. And I’m not saying that we travel poorly, but it’s a burden to be away from your family 230 days a year, like me.”

He also pointed to lawsuits as a major reason for Toto’s decision to take a break. He didn’t get specific, but the widow of drummer Jeff Porcaro did sue the band last year. She claimed she was being denied her fair share of royalties.

They’ve also faced legal issues with their former record label. “We’ve had some horrendous litigation,” Lukather said. “Horrendous, horrendous, awful, mean, you-gotta-be-kidding-me kind of lawsuits, and we lost the suit. So it beat us down. So we gotta get away from this. We gotta get away from the whole thing.”

Steve Lukather pledged he was done with Toto back in 2008. “Honestly, I have just had enough,” he said in a statement. “This is NOT a break. It is over. I really can’t go out and play ‘Hold the Line’ with a straight face anymore.”

Two years later, he was back on the road with Toto and “Hold The Line” was in the setlist every single night. It may be a similar situation this time around. If not, at least they got the chance to play with Paich one last time.

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Toto 2024 Tour: Unforgettable Musical Journey

Toto 2024 Tour is set to headline venues across the United States, Canada, and Europe, featuring Toto’s iconic lineup of Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams, Bobby Kimball, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, and Jean-Michel Byron. The performances will take place surrounding their full tour with Journey.

Fans can expect an unforgettable experience as Toto performs their greatest hits and showcases their musical prowess. Don’t miss your chance to catch Toto live in concert during their highly anticipated 2024 tour. Secure your tickets now to witness this legendary band in action.

Credit: medium.com

Overview Of Toto’s 2024 Tour

Toto has announced their highly anticipated 2024 Tour, creating excitement among fans worldwide. The announcement of the tour has been met with great anticipation, and fans are eager to experience the band’s electrifying performances.

The tour will encompass a series of dates and venues across the United States, Canada, and Europe, giving fans the opportunity to witness Toto’s iconic live performances. The band will be joined by a lineup of featured artists, including the talented Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams, Bobby Kimball, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, and Jean-Michel Byron.

The performances will be filled with the band’s trademark hits, showcasing their musical prowess and captivating stage presence. With their extensive catalog of songs and a reputation for putting on unforgettable shows, Toto’s 2024 Tour is sure to be a must-see event for music enthusiasts around the world.

Credit: www.kfcyumcenter.com

Toto’s Journey As A Band

Toto’s journey as a band began with their formation and early career. The band was formed in the late 1970s in Los Angeles, California. They quickly gained attention for their unique blend of rock, pop, and progressive music.

One of their major hits that propelled them to success was the song “Africa”, released in 1982. The song topped charts around the world and became an iconic anthem of the 80s.

Over the years, Toto’s sound has evolved and they have experimented with different musical styles. From their early days of catchy pop-rock tunes to their later exploration of more complex and layered compositions, the band has always pushed the boundaries of their sound.

Through their dedication to creating quality music and their ability to adapt to changing musical trends, Toto has remained a relevant and influential band throughout their career.

Importance Of Toto’s 2024 Tour

Relevance of Toto’s Music Today:

• Impact of Toto’s Live Performances: Toto’s live performances continue to resonate today, with each show delivering an electrifying experience. The band’s timeless hits, such as “Africa” and “Rosanna,” still captivate audiences worldwide.
• Fan Excitement and Engagement: Toto’s 2024 Tour is generating immense excitement among fans. The opportunity to witness their favorite band perform live creates a sense of anticipation and engagement like no other. Fans eagerly await the chance to sing along to their favorite Toto classics.

The combination of Toto’s music and their exhilarating live performances creates an unforgettable experience for fans. The band’s ability to connect with audiences and transport them through decades of iconic music is a testament to their enduring relevance in the music industry.

Credit: www.facebook.com

Frequently Asked Questions On Toto 2024 Tour

Will toto tour in 2024.

Yes, Toto will be touring in 2024. The band will be performing in venues across the United States, Canada, and Europe with Journey.

Where Is Journey Playing In 2024?

In 2024, Journey will be playing at various venues across the United States alongside Toto. They will be headlining shows in cities across the country.

Will Toto Ever Tour Again?

Yes, Toto will tour again in 2024 with Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams, Bobby Kimball, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, and Jean-Michel Byron.

Is David Paich Touring With Toto?

No, David Paich is not currently touring with Toto.

With a history of iconic hits and an exceptional live performance reputation, Toto’s 2024 tour is bound to be a sensational experience. Headlining venues across the United States, Canada, and even parts of Europe, fans will have the opportunity to witness Toto’s legendary music firsthand.

With Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams, Bobby Kimball, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, and Jean-Michel Byron leading the way, this tour promises to be an unforgettable journey through Toto’s timeless classics. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this remarkable musical experience.

Get your tickets now and prepare to be blown away by Toto’s phenomenal live show.

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Bobby Kimball

Robert Troy (Bobby) Kimball was born in Orange, Texas and raised in nearby Vinton, Louisiana, as Vinton did not have a hospital (thus, he was born across the state line). Kimball started singing as a child dabbling on voice and piano in a musical household throughout his youth. His mother, a pianist with “perfect pitch,” passed on the music gene to Bobby and his brothers, who all played together in a band whan Bobby was 8.

At 12, Bobby began playing night clubs, carrying a signed note from his parents to the club owners and policemen.

Throughout the 1970s, Kimball performed as a vocalist in various bands, including The Levee Band with Jeff Pollard and Rod Roddy, which would later become Le Roux.

 In 1974, at the behest of Jon Smith (White Trash Horns), Bobby Kimball left Louisiana and moved to Los Angeles where he joined Smith and  3 members from the defunct band, Three Dog Night, to form a new band, S.S. Fools. They released one album on CBS Records, but the band split up within a year and a half.

About 6 months later, Kimball was asked by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro to join five session musicians to form Toto. He submitted a self-penned audition song for the band, “You are the Flower,” which was included on their debut album. Kimball recorded the first four studio albums for Toto.

After singing the vocals on several of the songs, and most of the backing vocals, which were kept on the “Isolation” album, he was released from the band in 1984 during sessions for I solation , their follow-up studio album to 1982’s Grammy Award-winning  Toto IV   which brought the band the fame they enjoyed from the songs on the first four, and most famous albums, garnering an unprecedented 9 Grammy nominations and taking home 7. This was a Grammy record that lasted only a year as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” took home 8 the next year.

Kimball relocated to Germany for a solo career and continued working as a session vocalist with a trio comprised of Michael McDonald (The Doobie Brothers) and Bill Champlin (Chicago) among others.  Bobby Kimball was asked by the band to return to Toto during 1989-1990 to record songs for the band’s greatest hits album,  Past to Present 1977-1990 , only to be replaced by  South African  singer  Jean-Michel Byron  (a decision said to have derived from Sony, the band’s record company at the time, and the label’s desire to go in a new direction). Byron was also let go shortly thereafter, and guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather took over Toto’s primary lead vocal duties from 1991 to 1999.

After leaving the band again, Kimball released a live album,  Classic Toto Hits , in late 1990, in which he performed various Toto songs from over the years. He recorded the album with the Frankfurt Rock Orchestra. In 1994, Bobby Kimball released his first solo album, “Rise Up,” and single, “Woodstock.” In 1998, Kimball rejoined Toto as lead vocalist. The band then returned to the studio to record  Mindfields , their first album with Kimball since 1982’s Toto IV. With Kimball back in the band, Toto toured in support of  Mindfields  throughout 1999 and 2000. In late 1999, the band released the live album  Livefields .

In 2000, Kimball released his second solo album  All I Ever Needed , with the single “Kristine” being released. In 2002, Toto released a covers album  Through the Looking Glass . In February 2006, Toto released  Falling In Between , their first studio album of new material since 1999; however, it was announced in June 2008 that the band had broken up.

Kimball is currently hosting his own web site offering advice ao aspiring vocalists and has a new bandand is working on a new CD and tour.  Bobby Kimball was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame at the “LMHOF Louisiana Music Homecoming” event in May of 2010.

Visit his official web site at http://www.bobbykimball.com/  .

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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Metal Rules Interview - March 18th 2013

BOBBY KIMBALL

INTERVIEW BY MARKO SYRJALA AND PATRICK CLEMENT

Bobby Kimball is a Texas-born American singer, best known as the first (and longtime) frontman for the rock band Toto. In 1974 Bobby moved to Los Angeles where he formed a new band called S.S. Fools. They released one album, but split up shortly thereafter. About half a year later, Kimball was asked by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro to join five session musicians to form the band Toto. Kimball sang on the first four successful studio albums by Toto, but parted ways with the band in 1984 during the recordings of the ISOLATION album. Bobby Kimball then relocated to Germany for a solo career and to work as a session singer. In 1998 Kimball rejoined Toto and stayed until the members went their separate ways in 2008. Lately Kimball has been touring around the world with the ‘Legends-Voices of Classic Rock’ package with other legendary singers and band-leader Tommy Denander. Tonight Kimball performed solo with the band at Helsinki’s On the Rocks club and after the show we had a pleasure to sit down with him and discuss about various topics.

WHAT’S GOING ON

Metal-Rules.com: All right, let’s start with current things, what’s going on Bobby?

Bobby Kimball: What’s going on?  Weren’t you at the concert?  We just did a concert here in Helsinki and it was really fantastic.  It was really fun.  The audience in Scandinavia is always amazing.  I love it. But yes, right at the moment I’m working on four solo CDs. One for Frontiers  Records, one for a movie that I wrote, one with another friend of mine with whom I wrote the ALL I NEVER NEED CD in 1999, and another one with Bill Champlin who’s one of my best friends.  I’m working on four solo CDs.

Metal-Rules.com: It sounds like you are going to be a busy man?

Bobby Kimball: I am the busiest person you know.  I’ve been home for eight days in the past four months.  I’m starting to forget my wife’s name. You know, I was touring in the Far East.  I came back and went to San Francisco, did two concerts  10 hours later.  Came back from San Francisco, went to Paris and I did a television show in Paris.  Then I went back to Los Angeles.  Flew to South America and toured in seven different countries for a whole month.  I was in a different country every day.  Then I came back to Los Angeles for one day and flew to Germany and rehearsed with a band called Floyd Reloaded, and I played the whole month of January with Floyd Reloaded.  Then I went to Los Angeles for three days and then… I came back to Scandinavia and started touring with my band.  Then we did four dates in Scandinavia and when I left Norway, I went to Budapest, and the first thing I did was I had dinner with the prime minister of Hungary.  He’s a really nice guy.  Viktor Orbán. He wasn’t necessarily just there because he was a fan, it was a Government-supported concert for a huge crowd down there and the whole stage was full of very famous people, Chaka Khan was singing with me, Jack Bruce, Ian Anderson, Nick Van Eede from Cutting Crew, Chris Thompson from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Randy Brecker from the Brecker Brothers, Bill Evans, a great sax player, and John Helliwell from Supertramp, the sax player… There were about 15 big names on the stage. It was an amazing concert.

Metal-Rules.com: What songs did you sing there?

Bobby Kimball: Actually, I did “Hold the Line” and “Rosanna”, and all of those people I was just telling you about recorded CD’s with a guy named Leslie Mándoki.  Leslie has been a friend of mine – the group is called Soulmates.  All of these people I just mentioned and they came in one at a time or two at a time, whatever, you know, we did CDs together for 20 years and actually Steve Lukather was on some of the Soulmates’ albums.  Everybody played with this guy.  Leslie has been a very, very good friend of mine for 20 years and I was the first Soulmate.  I introduced him to Steve.  But, anyhow, it was his 60th birthday, so at the end of the concert I introduced Leslie because he had been introducing everyone else.  I introduced Leslie as one of my best friends and one of the people who introduced me to all of those people on stage.  That was a fantastic moment. I wanted to show him my appreciation. It was a really, really phenomenal concert. I was Soulmate number one.  There’s about 30, you know?

Metal-Rules.com:  You’re currently living in Germany, right?

Bobby Kimball: I moved to Frankfurt when I left Toto.  One of the reasons – I went there to record a CD with Frank Farian.  He’s a big producer in Germany.  Simon Philips was the drummer on that CD.  We did the first single off that CD – it’s called THE FAR CORPORATION.  Simon Philips was the drummer and the first single was “Stairway to Heaven”.  The first television show we did – there were eight bands on the television show and they were all set up in a big circle, but we didn’t know who the other bands were going to be.  So, we were first.  I walked up and grabbed the microphone and started singing “Stairway to Heaven” and standing about maybe three meters in front of me when I grabbed the microphone – the camera was about three meters from me – and right next to the guy with the camera was Robert Plant.  Oh, my god, this is impossible.  After we did the show, Robert came back and took pictures with us.  He’s a fantastic guy.  He really is a fantastic person and a super nice guy.  Also we played in the Wisconsin festival with Toto, and Robert’s solo band warmed up for us.  After the concert, we all hung out together.  He’s really a great guy.  It was fun.

Metal-Rules.com: He’s really down to earth type guy, right?

Bobby Kimball: Yes, he is.  That is the only way to be.  You can’t be a person that orders other people around.  You don’t want to do that.  What I want to be in my life – only one thing – happy.  I want to be happy.  There’s nothing like being happy.  You can be wealthy.  You can be crazy.  You can be all these other things, but the wealthiest person in the world is the happiest.

Metal-Rules.com: It is important thing to be happy and positive.

Bobby Kimball: Yes.  It is.  If you got a smile on your face and you’re feeling good, my god, you can’t get any better than that.

Bobby Kimball

BOBBY KIMBALL BAND

Metal-Rules.com: You’re now touring under the name ‘Bobby Kimball Band’ which features your long-term partner Tommy Denander. It seems that your cooperation works just fine.

Bobby Kimball: Tommy is incredible.  Tommy’s one of the best guitar players I’ve ever worked with and he’s one of the nicest people I know.  He’s a great guy. I’ve known him since 1992. He actually called me.  He found my telephone number and called me, and we used to talk for two or three hours at a time on the phone.

Metal-Rules.com: Originally he was a fan of yours, right?

Bobby Kimball: He was a fan, but now I’m a fan of his.  And he is my favorite guitar player.

Metal-Rules.com: Overall, this whole band is coming from Sweden. How did you pick up these guys for this band?

Bobby Kimball: Through Tommy.  Tommy called me and said, “We would like you to come over and do 12 concerts with us December 2011.”  So I did.  No, I’m sorry, 14 concerts.  We did 14 concerts in 13 days.  And every day we were doing a concert, and the band just kept getting better and better and better and they said at the end of the tour, “Can we be the Bobby Kimball Band?”  I said, “Oh, I don’t have to beg you?” Please.  Please be the Bobby Kimball Band.  That’s an honor to me.

ROCK MEETS CLASSIC AND RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT

Metal-Rules.com: One thing what you’ve done over the years has the Rock Meets Classic thing. Tell something about that?

Bobby Kimball: Rock Meets Classic was formed by a guy named Manfred Hertlein.  And in 1994, I think, was the first Rock Meets Classic, if I’m not mistaken, and I was the first – me and Gary Brooker from… Procol Harum, “Whiter Shade of Pale”.  I did one hour.  Gary did one hour with the orchestra.  It was fantastic.  Then later on about 2009 – it was Manfred’s 50th birthday and his office called me – they had stopped doing Rock Meets Classic.  I got a call from his office and they said, “Can you come over and sing three or four songs for Manfred’s birthday because we’re bringing in all the bands?”  I got up and played the piano and sang solo.  Then I went and sat with Manfred.  I said, “Manfred, why are you not doing Rock Meets Classic anymore?”  He says, “No, no, no, no more.”  And about three days later, I got a phone call.  He says, “We’re going to do Rock Meets Classic in 2010.”  I was on there – it was me, Lou Gramm and Dan McCafferty, the singer from Nazareth. Dan is killer.

Metal-Rules.com: I just find out that there’s going to be another run or Rock Meets Classic shows in the spring?

Bobby Kimball: Yes, there is.  Well, I’m the one that started it again because I kept asking him.  I said, “Please.  Do Rock Meets Classic again.”  Because I’ve done “Night of the Proms”

Metal-Rules.com: How do fans like when you are performing Toto classics with this band, how do they react?

Bobby Kimball: They love it.  They congratulate me all the time.

Metal-Rules.com: Have you got any feedback from Lukather or Toto camp about this Classic thing?

Bobby Kimball: Of course…  Bad feedback “laughs”

Metal-Rules.com: You’re also involved with these upcoming Raiding the Rock Vault- shows in Las Vegas. Would you tell something more about it?

Bobby Kimball: Well, the guitar player is Howard Leese, the original guitar player with Heart.  He wrote “Barracuda” but now he’s a guitar player for Paul Rodgers.  And John Payne from Asia, he’s the leader of that organization but they’ve asked me to come and sing for about two weeks next month.  Yeah, I’ll be there.  I’ll be there many times, actually.

Metal-Rules.com: So how you actually ended up there?

Bobby Kimball: Well, actually John did an album of 33 cover songs and I sang on this album so he wants me to come and – I’m just going to do three songs in Vegas.

Metal-Rules.com: The show, it’s about to run one year, right?

Bobby Kimball: Yes but I’m there only for 10 days but they’re going to bring in Jimi Jamison, Joe Lynn Turner, a ton of people. They’re going to be there forever “laughs” I’ll be going to Vegas, I think, on the 9th of March, the 9th through the 19th. But I’ll be back later on, yeah.

SESSION WORK

Metal-Rules.com: You’re best known for  your work with Toto but in fact you’ve done a lot more in your long career and one interesting thing is your session work with various bands/artists. You once did a session with the hard rock band Quiet Riot, right?

Bobby Kimball: I did.  I sang a duet on “In the Still of the Night” with Quiet Riot. Spencer Proffer was the producer and he called me up because I was living with his sister-in-law.  He called me up and I went and sang on this.

Metal-Rules.com: I do remember that Kevin (DuBrow) was actually very ‘afraid’ of you because he was thinking that you were going to take over his place at the time?

Bobby Kimball: It was fun thing to do and they’re great guys, you know. But…you know, any time, any time another lead vocalist comes in and works with the band that you’re working with, you always think, “Oh, my god, they’re about to take my place.”  Whatever, but that was not true.

Metal-Rules.com: Right. How about your work with legendary Pat Travers?

Bobby Kimball: Pat Travers is a very, very good friend of mine.  One of the better guitar players I know.  Pat is a killer guitar player.  You know I’ve done so many concerts with Pat and he’s got such a fantastic tone.  I walked up to him one night and I said, “Pat, how on earth do you get such a fantastic sound out of this amplifier?”  And he says, “Look at my guitar.”  So I looked at his guitar and he said, “Now, do you see it’s plugged into the guitar and it’s plugged straight into the amp.  There’s nothing in between.”  He said, “My sound comes from my hand and my heart.”  And it’s true.  It’s just unbelievable the sound that he gets, but he’s just plugged straight in, no effects or anything.

Metal-Rules.com: I do remember that you were doing some vocals on Travers’ album BAZOOKA which also featured drummer Carmine Appice?

Bobby Kimball: Carmine’s a good friend.  And his brother, Vinny, is a good friend, too. It’s an okay album. Anything Carmine and Pat would do would be fantastic. You know, they don’t let it go unless it’s really great.

Metal-Rules.com: Next name on my list is Glenn Hughes.

Bobby Kimball: Glenn Hughes, wow, he’s one of my original heroes.  Glenn was with the band, Trapeze.  I was with the band in Louisiana.  It was just one of my solo bands in Louisiana when I was living there before I moved to Los Angeles, before Toto.. before anything musically in my life.  I was listening to the album, YOU ARE THE MUSIC: WE’RE JUST A BAND.  My, god, I was just crazy for Glenn Hughes’ voice and I still am.  He’s one of the best singers in world. And then I finally met Glenn and we’ve been friends ever since.

Metal-Rules.com: You did some sessions with him in the mid 90’s?

Bobby Kimball: You know, I did so many sessions with so many different people; it’s hard to remember them all. I’ve done thousands of sessions.  Actually when I first got with Toto, I started doing background vocals with a trio.  The trio was me, Bill Champlin, Michael McDonald.  We did hundreds of albums.  This was before Pro Tools.  Before Pro Tools, if you were going to do background vocals on an album, you had to do each chorus – they couldn’t cut and paste.

Metal-Rules.com: So it means that vocals had to be repeated many times over?

Bobby Kimball: That’s exactly correct and everything was triple-tracked.  Perfect.  Michael and Bill and myself were a trio and when one of us would get a phone call, all three of us would show up.

Metal-Rules.com: I do know a bunch of albums that you guys did work on but which was the hardest one to make?

Bobby Kimball: Oh.  Actually we did a CD, an album rather, no CD’s then.  But we did an album with the Memphis Horns and this was about two years before the song “Minute-by-Minute” that Michael wrote.  We all three sang that song about two years before the Doobie Brothers did it. The thing is what they wanted was they wanted a voice that no one could recognize.  So one of us would go and sing the lead vocal, and then the next one would go and sing over that lead vocal, and then the next one would sing over those, and then we’d mix them together so you couldn’t tell who it was.

Metal-Rules.com: Before you joined Toto in 1977 you were singing in a band called SS Fools. Would you tell something about that band and how you then ended up to Toto?

Bobby Kimball: SS Fools.  That’s the first band that I was a permanent member of out in L.A.  I was called by a really good friend of mine, Jon Smith, saxophone player with Edgar Winter.  Jon called me.  I was playing in Louisiana.  He called me and said, “The singer from Three Dog Night just left the band.  The band stayed together.  They want to form a new group and they need a vocalist.”  And Three Dog Night was one of my favorite bands.  I went to L.A.  I sang with them for one year.  We did a CD.  It’s called SS Fools.  At about half of our rehearsals, David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, the two guys that formed Toto, they were there.  That’s how I met David and Jeff.  Then I left SS Fools about six months later, when Toto asked me to sing with them.

Metal-Rules.com: If we do exclude Toto and SS Fools, you haven’t been a permanent member of many other bands, right?

Bobby Kimball: The Bobby Kimball Band “laughs” I am doing tours all over the world with different bands.

Metal-Rules.com: Have you ever got offers from the big bands to join?

Bobby Kimball: Oh, yes.

Metal-Rules.com: Would you mention some names?

Bobby Kimball: No, because the lead singers will freak out.  I don’t want to do that. No.  I’m not crazy.  I want them to keep smiling, too.  I’ve had some really good offers, but I prefer to make my own decisions and I don’t want to have to be someone else,  I don’t want to be what someone tells me to be. I want to be me.  I got to be me.  I’ve got to be me. When I go on the stage, I’m thinking of the whole band, not just me.  It’s about everyone up there.  I want everyone up on the stage to be happy and to have fun. That’s all that really matters to me.  I don’t want to walk over and say, “You have to do this and you can’t do this!”  No.  I don’t do that.

Toto – s/t

Toto -Hydra

Toto – IV

Metal-Rules.com:  Your former band Toto is now having its 35’th anniversary and they’re going to tour to celebrate the bands history. What do you think about it since you’re not involved with it?

Bobby Kimball: Not only Toto, but it’s also my 35th anniversary..and  the release of “Hold the Line”. But yeah, I don’t really care, but they do care that I’m out here.  I don’t care that they care.  It’s none of their business because I did sing “Hold the Line”, which was their first single, I am the original vocalist and I did sing all of their biggest hits. Well, let me say this.  When Toto asked me to leave in 1984, they were using my voice as the background vocals from all the four albums.  I asked Steve Lukather one time I said, “What’s going on?  I went to the concert and hear you guys and I heard my voice in the background.”  He says, “You’ve been on tour with us the whole tour.  You have always been on tour with us because your voice is on the keyboard.”  Which is okay with me, I don’t care.

Metal-Rules.com: You did re-join Toto in 1999 and then stayed with them until the band broke up in 2008. Why you decided to quit the band back then?

Bobby Kimball: Well, actually we broke up because Steve Lukather decided to get the manager to tell everyone that he was going to take five percent of everyone else’s money.  All of a sudden the orders started.  I don’t take orders.  I don’t give orders because I want everyone around me to be happy.  So, I called a meeting of the band and everyone did a thumbs-down on the five percent thing.  So Steve left the band and we broke up.  But when they got back together because I called a meeting, they decided to go with Joseph Williams, which is okay with me.  That’s fine with me. And I’m very happy for Joseph that he can handle taking orders from Steve “laughs”. All I care about is having fun.  And I’m having more fun now and I’m working more than I’ve ever worked in my life with Toto or any other band.

Metal-Rules.com: So, you’re now free to do what you want to?

Bobby Kimball: Not only that, I’m making more money now “laughs” However, I don’t get a chance to go home very often, which is okay with me. You know, actually I have Direct TV at home.  They put the videos from Paris, the FALLING IN BETWEEN, and the one LIVE IN AMSTERDAM. They played them hundreds of times.  I didn’t get paid. I’m not happy about that, you know?

Metal-Rules.com: Would I dare to ask, how is your relationship with Steve Lukather nowadays?

Bobby Kimball: Well, I care about him, but he doesn’t care about me. I care about all the guys in Toto.  I think they’re really wonderful people.  I think about them the same way as when the band got together at first.  I really like them all, but I don’t like what they say about me.

Metal-Rules.com: You’re right. I do remember reading numerous articles where some of your former bandmates claimed that you’re not able to sing anymore, stuff like that. It must have been very offensive thing for you to read?

Bobby Kimball: It’s bullshit.  You’re exactly correct.  Steve Lukather has said so many bad things about me because he was on drugs, alcohol, constantly, and while he was saying these things – one of the funniest things – he was on a flight from L.A. to Amsterdam and he took some sleeping pills and drank a lot of alcohol.  Fell asleep.  The plane hit some bad air, and he woke up and they turned his seatbelt light on and he jumped up because he had to go to the toilet.  The stewardess came to him, “You have to sit down.”  And he pushed her over the people across the aisle.  And the marshals on the plane came and arrested him.  They taped him to the chair.  When he got to Amsterdam, they arrested him. You can’t do that on an airplane.  That’s stupid. I felt bad for him.  I really did.

Metal-Rules.com: How have you been in touch with the Porcaro family?

Bobby Kimball: I’m not in touch with them. But the sons of Joe Porcaro, they have been through such terrible things. Steve Porcaro, who’s playing with Toto again, he had a brain tumor and when they took the tumor out he went deaf in his left ear, yes. But Jeff died, which was horrible.  I freaked out when that happened. And now Mike has Lou Gehrig’s disease. It’s a horror for their parents.  I feel so bad for them because they’re wonderful people, all of them. Yes.  They’re very intelligent. They’re very nice. They’re just good people.

Metal-Rules.com: Do you know about the current state of Mike?

Bobby Kimball: I saw Mike about a year ago and he was very, very sick, I feel really bad for him.  But I don’t know… I haven’t been in touch with anybody from Toto.  I’m keeping the smile on my face.  Remember. I only want to be happy.  I want to keep a smile on my face and work as hard as I can and that’s what I’m doing.  That’s all that matters to me. And God bless Joseph Williams because he is now dealing with the problems I had to deal with and he’s doing a very good job.  He’s a really good friend. I’ve done a lot of vocals with Joseph.  But let me – Marko, let me say one thing.  I love all the guys in Toto, even Steve Lukather. Even though he says such horrible things about me I don’t care because my main purpose in life is to be happy. So I’m not going to sit there and argue and be made and mean and terrible in my life. I just want to be happy.