Tonio K.

Tonio K. Artistfacts

  • July 4, 1950
  • He was born Steve Krikorian in Palm Desert, California.
  • Before becoming a solo artist in the L.A. music scene, Krikorian was in the post-Buddy Holly Crickets.
  • His three albums were released on three different labels.
  • He went on to co-write "Love Is," recorded by Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight. It went to #1.
  • When Tonio K was at high school, he had ambitions of becoming an architect. However he decided he wasn't mathematical enough to pursue it as a career option. Tonio told us: "I gave up on architecture when I had to give up on math or start studying. I got through algebra okay without doing any homework or a little homework, but by the time I got to trig, it was, you can't do this s--t if you're not going to go home and do homework. You really have to study this."
  • Tonio considers "We Walk On" to be his best ever song. "Certainly not the most commercial," he told us, "but if I had to pick one song, that's the best song I've ever written, 'We Walk On.'" And if I was to put out one old school 45 with a big hole in the middle, I would have 'We Walk On' on one side and 'The Executioner's Song' on the other side."

Comments: 1

  • The Cat's Still In The Freezer from ArizonaTonio K turned my life upside down when I first heard Life In The Food Chain. it was a dark time for me. Tonio taught me that I had to "laugh at the fact that there ain't nothin funny". That was 40odd years ago. I wrote a fangirl letter. His publicist sent pithy press releases, and someone, I'd like to think Tonio himself, scrawled in the margins " is the cat still in the freezer?" Never understood that, but from that day on, I've kept a ceramic cat right where it belongs. I started feeling my anger ( H.A.T.R.E.D.), dancing out my feelings, and never again sat in a bathtub at 3am watching my blood swirl prettily into the water. AMERIKA might be my all time favorite album. I needed those songs for fuel to get down the road.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.