For my money, Steve Lukather is probably the best guitarist that most people have never heard of.

He “came of age” in the early 1980s, a time when a new sort of a guitar hero was beginning to emerge; ushered in by the ground-breaking playing of Eddie Van Halen. These types of guitar players were far more technical, educated (often in classical and jazz), and most notably: a hell a of a lot faster with their hands than the generation of guitar greats that came before them. It’s truly quite remarkable the leap that was made on the instrument even just between the late 1970s and early 80s.

 

Stylistically, Lukather had the technique to go down as an all -time guitar great, which he still is, of the Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, or Joe Satriani caliber. Fortunately, he chose a more low key career path that would see him put his guitar virtuosity, producing skills, and composition to be the band leader of Toto while lending his talents to over 1,500 albums spanning from the 70s onward.

 

In addition to his guitar work with Toto on songs such as “Hold The Line” or “Rosanna”, Lukather has been a part of the recording process as either an player or engineer with musicians including.

 

Elton John

Chicago

Barbara Streisand

Boz Scaggs

Don Henley

Cher

America

Lionel Richie

Joni Mitchell

Olivia Newton John

Michael Jackson

 

The Ones You Should Know

 

Dirty Laundry -1982

 

Lukather rips the outro guitar solo on this early 80s hit from Eagles front man Don Henley.

 

Runnin With The Night – 1983

Quite a shame that the guitar solo was cut when this song first debuted on the radio.

 

Hold The Line – 1978

 

 

Rosanna – 1982