How a Rock Singer Ended Up Singing in a Massive ’90s Disney Movie

There is not a ton of crossover between rock and Disney, however a rock singer did sing in a large ’90s Disney film.

We’re not speaking about Phil Collins, who labored on the soundtracks for the animated Disney movies Tarzan (1999) and Brother Bear (2003). This story is about Joseph Williams, the lead singer of Toto.

Williams first stepped in as Toto’s frontman in 1986 till ’88. He rejoined the band a decade later for a quick time, once more from 2010 till 2019 after which as soon as extra after they regrouped in 2020. He is been their vocalist ever since and has appeared on a complete of six Toto albums.

Between his first two stints in Toto, Williams was approached by the Disney staff to sing in a number of totally different motion pictures. Finally, his voice was chosen for 1994’s The Lion King.

What Did Joseph Williams Sing in ‘The Lion King’?

Whereas actor Matthew Broderick voiced grownup Simba in The Lion King, Williams offered the character’s singing voice, significantly on the songs “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Really feel the Love Tonight,” each of which had been composed by fellow rocker Elton John.

‘Hakuna Matata’ From The Lion King

How Did Joseph Williams Finish Up Singing in ‘The Lion King’?

Throughout an interview with Rock Historical past Music, Williams recalled that he was initially approached by producer Chris Montan to sing in Aladdin (1992). Scott Weinger, who voiced the character Aladdin, had already sang and recorded all the songs however the producers wished to switch his vocals with somebody that had extra of a “pop high quality.”

Williams went into the studio and recorded all the vocals, just for the composer of the movie to reject them as a result of he wished to make use of Weinger’s singing elements as a substitute.

So though Williams’ vocals had been by no means used for Aladdin, he obtained a telephone name a bit later about singing in The Lion King. John and lyricist Tim Rice had already written a batch of songs for the film and the staff wished Williams to sing on the demos.

Just a few months after finishing the demos, Williams obtained one other telephone name asking him to come back to Hans Zimmer’s studio to report them once more. They could not assure his recordings would really be used within the completed product however he agreed to the job anyway.

“Hakuna Matata” hadn’t been written when Williams labored on the preliminary demos, so the staff was attempting to determine how the vocals had been going to transition from younger Simba to grownup Simba within the tune. Williams’ spouse recommended they let her husband sing the half and so they conceded.

READ MORE: 8 Rock Artists You Forgot Labored on Animated Disney Film Soundtracks

“I did not know that I used to be even going to be within the film till over a 12 months later after they known as and mentioned, ‘We wish you to come back to the premiere’,” the singer admitted.

Take a look at the complete interview clip beneath.