AS A MEMBER of Toto, Steve Lukather’s melodic solos and slick songwriting defined a generation of AOR-loving fans throughout the Eighties. If you can recall the sweet sounds of pop-leaning rock classics like “Hold the Line,” “I’ll Supply the Love,” “Africa” and “I Won’t Hold You Back,” then surely you’ve dug into Lukather’s inspired licks. Of course, a player as inspired as Lukather can’t be held down, as evidenced by his expansive career as a sideman with the likes of George Benson, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Cher, Peter Criss, Ringo Starr, Elton John and about a million others (including one especially cool appearance with George Harrison in 1992).
So, yeah… it goes without saying that Lukather has impacted the masses unimaginably. Through big hits, endless songsmithery and immense restraint in an era perpetually defined by shred, the San Fernando Valley native has managed to unintentionally soundtrack the music zeitgeist.
“It’s funny… I can’t even remember half of the things I’ve recorded,” Lukather says. “I’ve been on so many sessions that I’m lucky if I can remember any of them. People ask me, ‘Steve, what’s
