Tod Howarth

Hypnotized by melodies, harmonies, and songs at an early age, he started exploring with pianos, drums, and guitar to satisfy the musical needs that helped him through a tumultuous early family life. After the usual torture of piano lessons Tod wound up playing what he’d hear and then composing what he heard inside – hence the songwriting abilities. Growing up in San Diego California he put together many local bands but while creatively dissatisfied and musically maturing, he finally moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to appease the musical drive. L.A. was then the hotbed of up and coming original bands and he had found one in ‘707’. After auditioning twice - because the first time he was too ‘Hollywood’ - he joined the project to help write songs, sing backups and play guitar. Soon after joining the band, 707 hit the road with REO Speedwagon on their ‘Hi-infidelity’ tour. It was there that Tod met Ted Nugent and ended up singing back up for Ted’s ‘Penetrator’ album. After the dissolution of 707, Tod went on to tour in 1984 with Ted to support this album. Around that time Cheap Trick had been trying to get a hold of Tod to handle their keyboard and backing vocal duties, and as it turned out, he finally teamed up with ‘Trick in 1985. December 1986 rolled around and Tod left Cheap Trick to play with Ace Frehley after bassist John Regan had recommended him because of his guitar, keyboard, songwriting, and singing capabilities. Tod joined Ace, John and Anton Fig in January 1987. Ace Frehley’s Comet recorded three albums, produced four videos before the lineup dissolved and Ace moved on to his solo effort. Tod continued writing and pursuing a solo record deal and received one from Gene Simmons in 1990. However this was short lived because of the refreshing sounds of ‘Grunge’ – Tod liked this new sound but also knew it was to change the face of music, and the direction of his career. Re-joining Cheap Trick in 1990, he helped support the continuing ‘Lap of Luxury’ tour with their hit ‘The Flame’. Tod played with them consistently until 1997 whereupon he went back at work on solo material. Since 2000 he has played with Cheap Trick in special live and TV shows and handled the keys, and backing vocals on the ‘Silver’ DVD. In 2008 he traveled to Japan with Cheap Trick to once again handle the keys, vocals for the 30th year anniversary concert, ‘Live at Budokan’. As of September 2008, Tod is currently working on a new Solo rock CD in his home studio.