Steve Lukather
Toto – The Ultimate Session Musician
Origins and Early Years
Steven Lee Lukather was born on October 21, 1957, in the San Fernando Valley, California. A guitar prodigy, he studied under Jimmy Wyble and Lee Ritenour. He co-founded Toto in 1977 with fellow studio musicians.
Toto and Worldwide Success
Toto IV (1982) won 6 Grammy Awards thanks to hits such as “Rosanna” and “Africa”. At the same time, Lukather became one of the most sought-after session musicians in history, performing on more than 1,500 albums for artists including Michael Jackson (“Beat It”), Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Lionel Richie.
The song “Africa” experienced a viral resurgence during the 2010s and 2020s, becoming an internet meme and returning to the charts more than 35 years after its original release. Lukather also contributed to the recording of the guitar solo section on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” (1982), one of the best-selling pop songs of all time.
Legacy
Steve Lukather is renowned for his exceptional versatility, effortlessly moving between rock, jazz fusion, pop, blues, and country. He is regularly cited as one of the greatest studio guitarists of all time.
Iconic Guitars
Lukather is closely associated with his Music Man Luke signature models, as well as Gibson Les Paul guitars and custom-built Valley Arts instruments. The JAM Waterfall pedal also bears his signature.
