Fergie in South America with the Voices

Fergie Frederiksen was born Dennis Hardy Frederiksen on May 15, 1951 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. His family emigrated from Denmark to the United States some hundred years earlier.

Though best known for his tenure as the lead singer of Toto, Fergie's music credentials date to his teen years, when he tasted the first "rush" of live performance in the local pubs of Michigan.

Frederiksen moved to Chicago in 1975 and replaced Tommy Shaw in the band MS Funk, when Shaw graduated to join Styx. Longtime friends, Shaw was quick to suggest Fergie as the ideal new frontman in MS Funk.

It wasn't long before Frederiksen would take the next step in the "biz" and realize the dream of all aspiring musicians, a record contract. With Patrick Leonard he formed Trillion, a band that was quickly signed by Epic Records. In 1980, this unique talent made advanced his career again, relocating to Los Angeles, where he joined the band LeRoux, with whom he released an album in 1983 ("So Fired Up"). The relocation would soon prove providential.

Ingraining himself in the LA music scene, Fergie became a frequent session talent. It was through these activities that he met bassplayer and producer Ricky Phillips. Their friendship flourished and led to a new band, Abandon Shame, featuring Frederiksen, Phillips, drummer Pat Torpey, guitarist Tim Pierce, guitarist Scott Sheets and keyboardplayer John Purdell.

Jeff Porcaro and Fergie

In one of those "right place, right time" moments, in 1984 Ricky Phillips gave a video of Le Roux to his friend Jeff Porcaro, the co-founder of Toto. "The next thing I know I was invited to join Toto, who was looking for a new lead singer after Bobby Kimball left the band," notes Fergie. "Ricky and the other guys in Abandon Shame were very understanding; the chance to join Toto was hugh."

Frederiksen was challenged to front Toto in their Tours and follow-up album after their smash Toto IV release. He rose to the occasion. "We recorded 'Isolation,'" he recalls, "it was a adventurous album with the band taking the artistic chance of recording an album not in any way as commercial as its previous effort. It was heavier and more progressive, but still to this day a great album." The album "Isolation" was nonetheless a commercial success attaining Gold status and charting the singles "Stranger In Town" and "Holyanna." "My personal favorite from the album is 'Angel Don't Cry,' as it's a bit of a rocker," recalls Fergie.

By 1986, the stresses of continuous tours and the pressure of recording eventually persuaded Frederiksen to take a respite from the music business, leaving Toto in favor of business pursuits in the restaurant business and indulging in his passion for golf. After some years in the restaurant business, Fergie felt the passion for music again, and he recorded an album with his all time buddy Ricky Phillips (Frederiksen / Phillips), released in 1994. Fergies maintains his passion for golf and his ten handicap remains an asset of which he very proud.

In addition to touring with the Voices of Classic Rock, Frederiksen released his first solo album, "Equilibrium," to critical acclaim. And he has formed a new band, Mecca, with friend Joe Vana and former Toto bassist David Hungate. Their first ablum was released in April of 2002.

Fredericksen-Phillips	Equilibrium	Mecca