Not a single peep from the interviewer, and that’s how you get the story clearly. No disturbance or interruptions, complete flow and allowing the memory to evolve into speech. Steve and Toto are amazing!

"yeah, I was 23, worked with Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, Played guitar on one of the most popular albums of all time, got nominated or a Grammy...that was pretty cool." Pay attention, this is how you handle success - with humility.

The musicians of Toto need to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just for their contributions outside of that band alone. Simply unbelievable everything they have collectively touched in music

Quincy Jones put together Michael Jackson, Steve Lukather, and Eddie Van Halen on an absolute masterpiece. The world thanks you.

My best friend (who was a drummer) idolized Jeff and Luke. Jeff was his drum idol and Luke obviously was mine as a guitar player. Our love for Toto and all the work Jeff/Luke did was something that made us close, always. He was killed in a car accident when I was on tour. Through a very special mutual friend, I got into contact with Luke. I asked if I could send him a picture of my now deceased friend and him from a house party in LA in 2008 and if he could sign it and send it back to me for the funeral. He was on tour at the time and he said yes. The day before the funeral, I received in the mail a poster sized print of this picture with “Give my love to Jeff and the fam. Hope to see you up there xoxo Luke” signed on the top. Steve then sent me a long email about how he handled Jeff’s death and that became the eulogy I read at my best friend’s funeral. It also was a guide for me in the horrendous aftermath of it all. Dude is my absolute hero as a man and a musician. I’m posting this comment so people know: Luke really is the fucking man. I will forever be grateful for what a complete stranger did for another. Now, go listen to their work. It’ll change your musical life.

I heard a great story about Eddie and the Beat it solo. He was at a record shop around the time the song came out and the song was playing in the store. Two kids said “ man that guys trying to play like Eddie Van Halen” and eddie politely tapped the kids shoulders and said “no that is me” I could only imagine what those kids thought to turn around and it’s this larger than life guitar player talking to you!!

I already wrote it somewhere else: I really need a Netflix show where all these Rock veterans tell their stories from the past. I could listen to them eternally. 🥰🤘🎸

Listening to Steve is like a history lesson! He knows everybody, he was there making history happen and the dude is honest!

Props for Quincy Jones who gave him arrangement credits for the thriller album, he won a Grammy because of that

R.I.P. - Eddie Van Halen - 1955-2020

Lukather is probably one of the most underrated guitarists ever.

For all his accomplishments, he's still a fanboy at heart. Seems like a decent guy, great musician as well

Wow. That's a fella that knows how to do a great interview. He asked a legit question and then let Luke speak. We need more of guys like this on KZfaq

that's how you do a musician interview! you lay back and just let them talk. good job.

Eddie, Steve, Paul, Quincy And Michael ....Damn .... Definitely on The Mount Rushmore of Music 🎶 RIP Eddie and Michael

This is an example of great interviewing. Sometimes you just need to be a good listener.

Steve Lukather is a class act - always humble and respectful. Truly one of the greatest masterminds on the guitar we will see in our lifetime. Unfortunately, he always has been underrated and not giving the full amount of appreciation he deserves. Without question a true rock n roll hall of Famer.

This is one of the best interviews I have ever watched!!! Why?? You let the man tell his story! Very professional and full of musical history. Thank you!!

I love how so many artists have that time with their first Michael Jackson telephone call... cracks me up every time because we all know we'd have done the same, and felt just as damned stupid.

I met Steve Lukather and Steve Porcaro and the other member of Toto at a backstage meeting. They were the most humble, friendly and funny musicians I have ever met. Lukather was so cool and humble.

Steve Lukather is crazy good, not only guitar playing. He has a great voice and can write epic songs, in my opinion there is no-one better.

I want to seriously spend a day hanging with Steve Lukather. I don’t want to say a single word. I just want to listen to him talk. Watch him with a guitar in his hand. Share a pizza and a few beers. See his creative process from inception to the final cut. The man has a brilliant understanding of music, as complete a command of the guitar as I’ve ever seen. And the guy is just the coolest cat you could ever want to meet. No ego, whatsoever. Some guys, talking about hanging with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney…their ego would be at 10. Steve’s just recalling those moments, and he’s as awed as we are to listen. The guys of Toto are some of the most in demand studio musicians of the last quarter century. Paich, the Porcaros, Luke…put together a list of the biggest albums on popular music from about 1975 on. And their fingerprints are all over it. While Jeff and Mike are no longer with us, their spirit is still here. Just put me on a stool for one rehearsal, or one recording session. I just want to hear these guys jam, let that Toto goodness wash over me.

Could listen to him all day. Even the interviewer is speechless

"It's just a riff tune. I don't have to be Jaco Pastorius or anything."

Lukather also played the iconic muted rhythm guitar part on "Just Once", where David Foster played piano, Abraham Laboriel on bass, Patti Austin on backing vocals

Met him about three years ago. He is so down to earth a genuine person. Loves and appreciates his fans. I was nervous to talk to him but left feeling like I had talked to a friend I had known for years.

Any true guitar player understands the contributions to music that Steve Lukather has made throughout his career. He's not JUST a guitar player, he is overall a major talent as a writer, player, etc. Let's all give him the credit he deserves.

Steve Lukather is a phenom and maybe the last of the great musicians of that time What humility from one of the greatest guitarists

Quincy was a genius at so many aspects of music. It's interesting to hear Steve say one of his strengths was bringing together interesting lineups of musicians. It's also cool to hear Quincy was generous with credits when people came up with key parts.

Steve Lukather=Cool human.

"I'll play the bass on it, it's just a riff tune, it's not like I had to be Jaco Pastorius or anything like that" :oP

lukather really loves telling stories and he's good at it

One of the best parts of this interview... when Lukather just off-the-cuff sings some of the Beat It guitar riffs... they’re in exactly the right key... off the top of his head. That’s actually pretty amazing

He came up on stage with our little cover band in SoCal in 1992 or so and played a couple of tunes with us. What talent, and what a humble guy. To say we were honored was an understatement. Glad he is still around and playing!

The interviewer is a great listener and stayed engaged ,as an audience would. Good job.

Steve Lukather is a great Guitarist. Toto And him have been underestimated in the Music seen for a long time. But they are great and it's a shame they don't get the appreciation they deserve.

This is a genius virtuoso talking about other genius. So nice.

One of my good friends looked up to Steve for inspiration. He waited at the end of a toto concert for 2hrs and was told Steve has gone mate, no point hanging around but he persisted untill finally he was the last person there and they let him backstage. Jeff Healey had just passed away. He spent the next hour with Steve toasting Jeff Healey with a whole bottle of Jacks. Humble legend 🙌

What’s really amazing is that the songs he played on are so much a part of our culture that he can just a hum a little section and we’re all like “oh, yeah, that bit.” Must’ve been a thrill. Amazing.

"Come record with Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones"....THAT won't freak you out!!! Holy Cow lol!!!

videos like this are why KZfaq was invented. I don't know if most people are aware of how many hit records this guy has played on. Possibly one of the most brilliant "musical" guitarists on the planet. I could listen to him tell music industry stories all day long.

Human Nature is one of the greatest Modern Jazz/Quiet Storm songs ever recorded. Love Steve Lukathur. "I get that all the time, it's funny" LOL! R.I.P. Michael and Eddie.

"Beat It" was never a favorite of mine; now I need to re-listen to appreciate this great tune. Thanks, Mr. Lukather.

Steve is a musician's musician.

Man this is pretty legit. It's amazing how good you had to be at actual music back in the day. This change in music reminds me of the changes that has occurred in photography over the same period. Some of the art has been lost.

I like how he catches himself when he's talking about being starstruck by Michael Jackson and the McCartneys and realizes his steadying pillar was the legendary Quincy Jones.

Steve is a real, genuine human being who happens to be a great musician.

This stuff is priceless.. Felt like I was there in the room...

And I'm watching this after Eddie passed away.. RIP guitar god. We'll be missing you.

RIP Eddie, legend an master of the instrument! I hope Steve stays strong, he lost many friends, wish him all the best!

Phone rings Steve L.: " Hello " Michael J.: " Hi Steve. This is Michael Jackson " Steve L.: " No it isn't! F---k you! " Hangs up. Me: LMAO!!! :-)

I love when music brings people together while artists maintain their artistic integrity.

I'm a metal head but you can't ignore how the guys in Toto have contributed to some of the finest music this world has ever heard. Steve is a beast on guitar but he's more of a great musician than just a guitar player and of course the rest of the band.

Today October 6, 2020 Eddie Van Halen passed away due to throat cancer at the age of 65 years. R.I.P. Eddie...

I would love to listen to the original “raw” quadruple guitar version of Beat It~ must be one hell of a headbanging song 😆

So Thriller was essentially a Toto album what a success

Toto should have been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday.

I suppose every time I'd have the chance to hear someone from Toto speak of their sessions from the late '70s early '80s I'd also cover up all of the music I grew up as a kid/teenager... now Steve's here talking about how he and Jeff made and it just sends me back in 1983 when it was my favourite song while I was playing tennis just being 15, them were the days... the smell of red clay and surrounding hedges, all the relaxing feeling about it, being 'at the heart of it' knowing it was 'my time'... Soon after 1983 many things changed for me and it was never the same again. But hey, how much does Steve still miss Jeff? I can hear it every time he mentions his name...

That story is such an amazing rescue job on the track....fantastic story....Lukather rocks...

Toto needs to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Their contributions to some of the biggest albums ever deserves them their spot.

Hats off to SL... what a great career he's had.

How can you not like Steve Lukather?

So Steve played the riff from Beat it and Eddie just added the solo? Wow and all these years I thought it was all done by Eddie!

People do not fully realize just how talented this dude is-he was laying down licks with Eddie VanHalen when he was barely seventeen-he toured with Boz Scaggs when he was 19 helped form Toto at the same time at 22 was the top session guitarist on the West coast( first call session cat for Quincy Jones I mean come on how much more do you need to know!!??)From 1978-1984 he played on nearly everything released out of LA at that time-this dude to me is the most amazingly talented guitarist ever!!He also can sing and write music and pretty sure if he wanted to could be one of the best producers ever also!!STEVE LUKATHER !!

Just picturing Steve freaking out when he heard that McCartney was involved; reminds me that my idols have their own idols.

The creator of masterpieces. Thank you for your talent.

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. Steve is so humble while he's making us feel like we're sitting in he studio with him, Michael, Paul, Eddie, etc. I wish everything back then had been recorded as it happened. But, who could have seen what was coming with the "Beatle" and other artists collaboration? Thanks to the MHOF&M for posting this for us.

Steve's played with them all. Legendary. Thanks for sharing

EDDIE Van Halen is forever a legend.

Luke is sick! I've seen Toto live 4 times - most recently in LA 2 years ago...and he hasn't lost a thing. His absurd guitar talent aside, he is also a superb songwriter and singer. A triple threat. Very few of those guys around.

I love hearing how things come together!

We're fortunate Steve has such great recall. Many players that far along in their career wouldn't remember in such detail. The big parts like meeting Paul, of course, but the little tidbits add so much to the story. He seems like a pretty cool and down to earth guy that an average fan could approach.

When you see and listen such a tremendous artist like Steve talking like this, you understand how unique and universal are the feelings that music is able to do in all of us. It makes me think that he realy KNOWS what I feel 'cause he can feel the same!!!

Great interview and such an awesome guy and ooooooh what a song we all remember so well. Thank you from us all.......

Likely the most underrated guitar player in modern rock. So humble. Bucket list to meet.

06:27 hums the guitar riff... hits it in perfect pitch Eb. Awesome.

I was feeling really down today and I didn't want to practice playing until I stumbled upon this video. thank you for being awesome, Mr. Lukather.

I like hearing how music was made and mixed, before the electric drum . Very interesting! Michael Jackson had a lot of talent backing him. They were all something very special

This interview is a riot.. love it!

What a talented guy, great interview, loved him in Eastbound & Down as well

Absolutely one of the best guitarists in the history of the instrument. There's a reason why he's been on hundreds of studio recordings... He's a monster

I just sit back and watch him, he is like a history book.i love him, love watching his interviews! It's like listening to his audio book version..

Mr Lukather is an amazing guest! Warm, gracious, humble and he tells great stories and wonderful history behind the scenes. I like that he gives glimpse behind the scene without being a jerk or ungrateful. What an amazing man & musician ! Thank you very much!!

This guy is a phenomenal musician. I could listen to him play or talk all day, so humble.

Thriller is a classic and Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo on "Beat It" has the TONE!!!

Great interview!! Learn so much from Steve everytime I hear him talk. Thank you so much.

Had to comment again, just gotta say what a great inside look at how normal and gracious even the most talented geniuses in the world of creative musicians really are, after all, we are all just people in the big picture.

Its not like I hadda be Jaco Pastorious or anything like that...🤣🤣🤣

This Dudes hilarious 😂 love the way he adds little bits of comedy during the story

If i were in a room with Steve, i would be the star struck one.. Steve, you are such a legend yourself and for some, a lifelong hero. Thanks for all the good music and merry fucking christmas. Best regards from Denmark.

Wow !!! what a story. I Saw George in August 1978 that made my day and ill never forget it .Thank you for your story Steve .Best wishes Colin

One of my all-time favorite guitar parts is every second of Human Nature. Love it. I’m so glad to hear from the musician who made it happen. And how about this interviewer! He asks a question, shuts up, lets the guy talk and tell us his great stories. An amazing rarity. Thank you for this video.

great guitar player, one that made me want to play.... would listen to him all day just tell stories, and I bet he could.

I’ve Steve in many interviews on KZfaq and he really seems to tell his stories like there was no way he would ever forget. Really enjoy listening to him. Does not get enough recognition as a true master of guitar. But I know the pros know how good he is.

Thank you for sharing this story. I remember listening to all these songs for the first time through the radio through tv then through walkman headphones, to listen to these stories puts those music experiences into perspective.

Toto also did the soundtrack for the movie "DUNE" and it is Amazing!

I love hearing stories like this !

I've watched this a few times now and I'm blown away by all the musical wisdom and insights which Steve Lukather shares!!!! Another insightful interview, thank you!!!!

Steve remembers what happened 40 years ago like it happened last week, amazing!

One of the best guitarists of our times and a good guy too.