Tony Williams was born December 12th, 1945 in Chicago, but his family moved to the Boston area when he was two. Williams studied the drums at an early age. His father played saxophone, and encouraged his son's musical interests by allowing Tony to sit in at gigs in clubs around the area. He became something of child prodigy, and was said to be accomplished enough by the age of 11 to visit the clubs and play on his own. At 13 Williams began performing professionally with jazz saxophonist Sam Rivers.

In 1962 Williams moved to New York City and played regularly with Jackie McLean. This got the attention of Miles Davis who would ask him to join his band. Williams’ style and ability influenced and inspired the other musicians and together with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Wayne Shorter would become part of Davis’ rhythm section. Miles was quoted as saying that he loved the way Tony “stretched and played with time, the songs never sounded or felt quite the same way twice.” Williams stayed with Davis into 1969, fronting his own sessions on occasion and eventually becoming a household name in the jazz world.

Williams played on Davis’ In a Silent Way, which was widely regarded as one of the prototypes for the fusion movement. He would then decide to try his own hand in this field and formed Lifetime with guitarist John McLaughlin, organ player Larry Young, and following the break-up of Cream, bass player Jack Bruce. The first of these albums was Emergency in 1969.

The band was highly regarded by critics and other musicians, but never achieved the commercial success enjoyed by Miles or his fellow band members. After management problems, lack of sales, and a difficult tour schedule, Lifetime would come to an end. McLaughlin then formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jack Bruce returned to a solo career. Tony would go on to form another version of Lifetime.

Taking a page from Miles, Williams developed a keen ear for talent and hired an unfamiliar young guitarist from Britain called Allan Holdsworth. This version of the New Lifetime also included keyboardist Alan Pasqua, and bassist Tony Newton. The foursome produced a fantastic album called Believe It! in 1975. Unfortunately the musicians' second album Million Dollar Legs, a failed attempt at being more commercial, marked the conclusion of Tony Williams New Lifetime.