Jean-Michel Byron

Who is Jean-Michel Byron?

Jean-Michel Byron is a South African born rock vocalist and lyricist, perhaps best known internationally as the lead vocalist for Los Angeles rock band Toto for their first Greatest Hits album, Past to Present, as well as the band's Greatest Hits Live...and More project. Originally from East London, South Africa, he attended high school at John Bissicker High School in a former Coloured area. He sang at high school concerts and community shows.

Byron joined Toto for their "Past to Present" album, a Greatest Hits release that contained four new tracks: "Love Has the Power", "Animal", "Can You Hear What I'm Saying" and "Out of Love." During the "Past to Present" tour in 1990, Byron and the band began to clash. His on-stage antics and rumored diva-like behavior irked both band and fans alike, and Byron was quickly relegated to the role of "backing vocalist" by the band before being dismissed.