Josh Todd grew up in Anaheim Hills, California, and later moved to Lake Forest, California. He attended high school at Trabuco Hills High School in Orange County, California, and graduated in 1989. Prior to his days in Buckcherry, Todd fronted the Hollywood glam rock band Slamhound. Slamhound was signed to Skydoor Records, an independent record company that was unsuccessful in releasing a Slamhound album even though the band recorded over a dozen songs with Josh as the lead singer. While in Slamhound, Josh honed his musical style, moving away from glam and more towards punk. In 1995, Josh met Guitarist Keith Nelson through his tattoo Artist. The two agreed to meet because of their shared love of AC/DC. They soon formed the band Sparrow, which later changed its name to Buckcherry. He later married Jasmine Lawson, an American Actress and model. He is currently married to actress/model Mitzi Martin. They have 2 children.

In 1999, Buckcherry released their debut self-titled album, featuring the hit "Lit Up". The album had a very commercial sound, far away from the glam punk music of his earlier bands.

In 2001, the band released their second album Time Bomb. Josh and Keith went on to play a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne/Mötley Crüe Drummer, Randy Castillo, alongside former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum. The band, for that show, was named Cherry Roses. The band went on to record about ten songs under the name "The Project" before the others decided to replace Todd and Nelson with Scott Weiland and Dave Kushner, respectively. The band went on to become Velvet Revolver. One song, "Dirty Little Thing", was written during the time with Josh and Keith and gives the latter co-writing credits.

He has appeared in several films in both credited and uncredited roles including playing the part of "Rudy" in the 2002 teen comedy The New Guy and several small parts in XXX and The Salton Sea. He has also appeared in the 2008 thriller Eagle Eye.

Todd has released six albums with Buckcherry and one solo album. He also performed at the Canadian Live8 venue in Barrie, Ontario in 2005. He first joined Darryl McDaniels, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith, and others on stage for a rendition of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" and then later joined all other performers on stage for a version of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World".

In 2006, he appeared as the character Hutch in the film The Still Life.

In 2008 Josh appeared on Escape the Fate's album This War Is Ours in the song 10 Miles Wide and "Harder Than You Know". He was featured in the music video for "10 Miles Wide" in 2009.

Following Keith Nelson's departure from Buckcherry in 2017, Todd is now the only original member in the band.