Steve Lukather

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Lore & Background

Fans recall Lukather's tenure as a period where his guitar work and vocals became central to Toto's sound, especially after the departure of other original members. He has been the sole constant original member since the 1990s, and his playing is featured on every Toto album. Lukather has also been open about his dislikes, such as confessing nearly 30 years after the release of *Hydra* that he hated the song '99' and that it is one of his least favorite Toto songs. His presence on stage and in the studio has helped the band continue to produce albums and tour more-or-less continuously, minus a few hiatuses, into the present day.

In Their Own Story

The stage lights cut through the desert haze as the final chord of the set hung in the air. Lukather stepped forward, his guitar gleaming under the spotlights, ready to deliver a solo that would weave through the crowd like a summer breeze. He didn't just play notes; he told the story of the road, blending the band's past glory with a fresh, electric energy that left the audience breathless.

Reader's Guide

Steve Lukather joined Toto in 1977 as a guitarist and vocalist, recruited by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro after playing in Boz Scaggs' band. He attended Grant High School with Jeff and Steve Porcaro, and continued the band Rural Still Life (later shortened to Still Life) after Paich and Jeff graduated. Lukather has played on every Toto studio album from their 1978 debut *Toto* through 2018's *Old Is New*, which was the band's final studio release. He remains the only original member who still records and tours with the band, while David Paich remains an official member but has mostly retired from touring. Lukather has also appeared on Michael Jackson's *Thriller* on multiple tracks, most notably on 'Beat It' and 'The Girl Is Mine'. He has been open about his musical opinions, such as confessing nearly 30 years later that he hated the song '99' from the *Hydra* album and that it is one of his least favorite Toto songs.

Did You Know?

• Steve Lukather is the only original member of Toto who still records and tours with the band as of 2023.
• Lukather attended Grant High School with Jeff Porcaro and Steve Porcaro, and continued the band Rural Still Life after Paich and Jeff graduated.
• He appeared on Michael Jackson's *Thriller* on multiple tracks, most notably on 'Beat It' and 'The Girl Is Mine'.
• Nearly 30 years after its release, Lukather confessed that he hated the song '99' from the *Hydra* album and that it is one of his least favorite Toto songs.
• Lukather has played on every Toto studio album from their 1978 debut through their final release, 2018's *Old Is New*.