THE frontman of a hit Seventies rock group can no longer sing due to his dementia battle.
The tragic news was revealed by The Texas-born vocalist’s former bandmate in a sad update on his health.
Bobby Kimball, 78, is best-known for being the lead singer of Africa hitmakers Toto.
He enjoyed two separate stints in the band, firstly between 1977 and 1984 before he returned from 1998 to 2008.
His iconic voice can be heard on the likes of some of the band’s biggest hits, including Rosanna and Hold The Line as well as Africa.
The American’s official website states that he is suffering from Frontotemporal Dementia which is “affecting Bobby, his family and friends.”
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It is an uncommon form of dementia that causes problems with behaviour and language and also affects personality.
The website added: “Sadly Bobby is not able to perform any more” – in a comment echoed by former bandmate Steve Lukather.
Steve, who was rumoured to have not always seen eye-to-eye with Bobby during their time in the band, told the Rockonteurs podcast of their current dynamic amid his health woe.
He said: “You know… there was all this bulls**t in the early 90s about how we were mortal enemies and all this crap.
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“I love Bobby Kimball. He’s one of the greatest singers I’ve ever been around.
“When the voice was on, he was untouchable.”
He added: “I love Bobby, we’ve been in touch, but he’s starting to lose touch with who he is now because of, you know, dementia.
“It’s very sad.”
BOBBY’S BATTLE
Bobby’s wife Jasmin has been acting as his carer throughout the diagnosis.
In 2023, he was inducted to The California Music Hall of Fame and she accepted the award on Bobby’s behalf.
At the time, she opened up on Bobby’s battle and wrote: “The past few years have been difficult being Bobby’s caregiver.
“I had to put my animal rescue on hold. As animal rescuers, we learned to be strong, not to cry and save a life.
“I learned to be strong with Bobby. My friends have been my backbone as I gave up having a life.
“When I went on stage to get Bobby’s award from the CA Music Hall of Fame, all I thought as the video of Bobby was running… that was the man I fell in love with.
“I had a hard time talking as I felt a need to cry.
“Thank you for understanding I was a little choked up. As Bobby would say, ‘We love you!!’”
Toto’s last studio album, Old Is New, was released in 2018.
Last year, Steve told how there will be no new music “right now” due to legal complications.
Current band members also include Joseph Williams and David Paich.
