View source for Steve Lukather

{{Short description|American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer (born 1957)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Steve Lukather
| image              = Steve Lukather of Toto.jpg
| caption            = Lukather performing in 2017
| birth_name         = Steven Lee Lukather
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1957|10|21}}
| birth_place        = [[San Fernando Valley]], Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
*Musician
*songwriter
*singer
*record producer
}}
| years_active       = 1974–present
| relatives          = [[Paul Lukather]] (uncle)
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| instruments = {{flatlist|
*Guitar
*vocals}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Hard rock]]
* [[pop rock]]
* [[jazz fusion]]
* [[pop metal]]
* [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
* [[funk music|funk]]
* [[pop music|pop]]
* [[blues rock]]
* [[R&B]]
* [[progressive rock]]
* [[soft rock]]
* [[yacht rock]]
}}
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Toto (band)|Toto]]
* [[Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band]]
* [[El Grupo]]}}
| label = [[Mascot Records]]
| website = {{URL|stevelukather.com/|stevelukather.com}}
}}
| signature          = [[File:SteveLukatherSignature.png|frameless|center|stevelukathersignature]]
}}

'''Steven Lee Lukather''' (born October 21, 1957) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer, best known as the sole continuous founding member of the rock band [[Toto (band)|Toto]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/steve-lukather-toto-hiatus/|title=Steve Lukather Says Toto Are 'Calling It a Day'|first=Corey|last=Irwin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock| access-date=8 April 2025 }}</ref> His reputation as a skilled guitarist led to a steady flow of session work beginning in the 1970s that has since established him as a prolific [[session musician]], recording guitar tracks for more than 1,500 albums spanning a broad array of artists and genres. He has also contributed to albums and hit singles as a songwriter, arranger and producer. Notably, Lukather played guitar on [[Boz Scaggs]]' albums ''[[Down Two Then Left]]'' (1977) and ''[[Middle Man (album)|Middle Man]]'' (1980),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stevelukather.com/music/discography.aspx?page=16|title=Steve Lukather Official Website - Discography|website=Steve Lukather Official Website|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> and was a prominent contributor to [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'' (1982). Lukather has released nine solo albums, the latest of which, ''[[Bridges (Steve Lukather album)|Bridges]]'', was released in June 2023.

He has stated the reason he started playing guitar is because of [[George Harrison]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aTvM_ee31I</ref>  Influenced by blues-rock guitarists such as [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Jimmy Page]], and such jazz fusion players as [[Al Di Meola]] and [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]], Lukather is known for a "melodic and intense" playing style. He is also recognized for his efficiency in the studio, often recording tracks in one take using minimal sound processing. While he once used many guitar effects in the studio and on stage, he now frequently disparages such practice, and instead advocates cleaner tones and minimal studio processing. Lukather plays primarily a signature electric guitar manufactured by [[Music Man (company)|Ernie Ball Music Man]] bearing his nickname, Luke. He also plays [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] and [[Ovation Guitar Company|Ovation]] Adamas series acoustic–electric guitars.

==Early life==
Steven Lee Lukather was born on October 21, 1957, in the [[San Fernando Valley]], California. His father was an assistant director and production manager at [[Paramount Studios]], and worked on shows such as ''[[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet]]'' and ''[[I Dream of Jeannie]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nBbzajS29o|title=The Steve Lukather Interview: Secrets Behind the Songs|date=January 17, 2023 |publisher=[[Rick Beato]], [[YouTube]]|accessdate=18 January 2023}}</ref> Lukather first played keyboards and drums, and then taught himself how to play the guitar starting at age seven, when his father bought him a copy of [[the Beatles]] album ''[[Meet the Beatles!]]'' and a [[Kay Musical Instrument Company#Kay guitars|Kay acoustic guitar]]. Lukather has said that the album "changed his life" and that he was greatly influenced by the guitar playing of [[George Harrison]] in particular.<ref name=slagman_bio>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Biography.aspx |title=Steve Lukather Biography |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418181410/http://www.stevelukather.net/Biography.aspx |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=molenda>{{citation |last=Molenda |first=Michael |date=May 2008 |title=Steve Lukather |magazine=Guitar Player |issn=0017-5463 |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=14–16}}</ref>

At [[Grant High School (Los Angeles)|Grant High School]],<ref name="Porcaro obit">{{cite news |last1=Enriquez |first1=Sam |title=Rock 'n' Roll High School : Van Nuys: The death of Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro prompts Grant alumni to reminisce about a campus bursting with musical talent in the early '70s. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-17-me-5068-story.html |access-date=16 February 2019 |newspaper=LA Times |date=August 17, 1992}}</ref> Lukather met David Paich and the Porcaro brothers ([[Jeff Porcaro|Jeff]], [[Steve Porcaro|Steve]], and [[Mike Porcaro|Mike]]),<ref name=hitmen>{{citation |date=February 23, 2008 |title=Ex-Hitmen Hold the Line |newspaper=New Zealand Herald }}</ref> all of whom eventually became members of [[Toto (band)|Toto]]. Lukather, who had been a self-taught musician, began taking guitar lessons from [[Jimmy Wyble]]. With Wyble, Lukather expanded his knowledge of wider aspects of music, including [[orchestration]]. It was during this period in the early 1970s that Lukather became interested in the idea of becoming a [[session musician]], a [[vocation]] that provided opportunities to play with a variety of famous musicians.<ref name=slagman_bio/>

Jeff Porcaro, who had been playing drums with [[Steely Dan]] since 1973,<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.steelydan.com/timelinebio.html |title=Steely Dan Timeline |publisher=Walter Becker and Donald Fagen |access-date=2012-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316064606/http://www.steelydan.com/timelinebio.html |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> became a mentor to Lukather and nurtured his interest in session work. Lukather's first job in the music industry was studio work with [[Boz Scaggs]],<ref>{{citation |last=Johan |first=Rizal |url=http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/7/music/20484039&sec=music |title=Toto's last fling |newspaper=The Star  |date=March 7, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-30}}</ref> after which Paich and Jeff Porcaro—who had become prominent session musicians in their own right<ref name=holland>{{citation |last=Holland |first=Dave |title=Steve Lukather's 7 Ways To Tonal Bliss |date=February 2009 |magazine=EQ |issn=1050-7868 |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=30–31}}</ref>—asked Lukather to join them in forming Toto in 1976 along with [[Bobby Kimball]], [[David Hungate]], and Steve Porcaro.<ref name=slagman_bio/>

==Toto==
{{See also|Toto (band)}}

Lukather is the original lead guitarist for Toto, serving in that capacity for the band's entire history, as well as composer and lead and backing vocalist. Lukather won three of his five [[Grammy Award]]s for work with Toto, twice as an artist and once as a producer.<ref name=grammy>{{citation|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/ |title=Grammy Award Winners |publisher=The Recording Academy |access-date=2009-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617152343/http://www.grammy.com/grammy_Awards/Winners/ |archive-date=June 17, 2009 |url-status=dead }} ''Note: User search required.''</ref> David Paich led the band's songwriting efforts during the development of 1978's ''[[Toto (album)|Toto]]''—he penned all but two of the album's tracks, including all four of its singles. Lukather also credits Jeff Porcaro for his leadership within the band during that period. His first song writing credit is "Hydra", which he co-wrote with the rest of the band for their second self-titled album. However, Lukather's role in Toto evolved over time owing to the changing needs of the band. In August 1992, Jeff Porcaro collapsed while doing yard work at home and subsequently died of heart failure.<ref>{{citation |last=Cooper |first=Ralph |date=August 7, 1992 |title=Deaths |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> The death profoundly affected Toto and Lukather in particular, who felt that he needed to step up and make sure the band kept going. Thus, he began taking more of a leadership role.<ref name=slagman_bio/>
[[Image:Steve Lukather solo.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Lukather crouches on stage and intently plays the neck of a black Ernie Ball Music Man "Luke" electric guitar.|Lukather solo with [[Toto (band)|Toto]]]]

Toto went through several lead vocalists over the years, including [[Bobby Kimball]], [[Fergie Frederiksen]], and [[Joseph Williams (musician)|Joseph Williams]]. After the 1990 dismissal of their fourth vocalist, [[Jean-Michel Byron]], Toto was without a lead singer until around 1997; Lukather assumed most of the vocal duties for the band during that time. He performed lead vocals for every track on 1992's ''[[Kingdom of Desire]]'' and 1995's ''[[Tambu (album)|Tambu]]'' except for two instrumental tracks. The ''[[Tambu (album)|Tambu]]'' single "I Will Remember", co-written by Lukather and [[Stan Lynch]], reached number 64 on UK charts.<ref name=slagman_bio/> Some ''Tambu'' reviewers contrasted Lukather's vocals with those of former singers Kimball and Williams (and indeed, heavily criticized the entire album),<ref>{{citation |last=Abrahams |first=Andrew |date=June 10, 1996 |title=Tambu |magazine=People Weekly |issn=0093-7673 |volume=45 |issue=n23 |page=27}}</ref> some concert reviewers noted that he struggled vocally on certain songs, and a number of [[backup singers]] and guest vocalists accompanied the band's live shows during that period.<ref>{{citation |last=Borzillo |first=Carrie |author-link=Carrie Borzillo|date=July 24, 1993 |title=Toto |magazine=Billboard |issn=0006-2510 |volume=105 |issue=30 |pages=15(2)}}</ref> It was not until Toto brought back Williams and Kimball to collaborate on 1998's ''[[Toto XX]]'' that Lukather returned primarily to the role of backup vocalist.<ref name=slagman_bio/>

Lukather's songwriting contributions grew from a few tracks on early Toto albums to co-writing almost every track starting in the late 1980s. Lukather admitted that the reason why he has no songwriting contributions on the first two Toto albums was that he wasn't writing many songs at the time, being intimidated by the talent of the band's chief songwriter, David Paich. He credits Paich with encouraging him to contribute more songs to the band.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=May 6, 1988 |title=Hot Rocks: The Toto Story |medium=LP |time=49:00 |publisher=United Stations Programming Network}}</ref> He wrote very few of Toto's songs by himself, an exception being the hit single "[[I Won't Hold You Back]]" from ''[[Toto IV]]''. Lukather has said that writing lyrics is not one of his strengths. Thus, he collaborated with other band members to complete song ideas and make them into viable album tracks. Lukather's official site claims he contributed to writing all the songs on Toto's 2006 album ''[[Falling in Between]]'',<ref name=slagman_facts>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Facts.aspx |title=Songwriting Lukather on Toto and Lukather albums |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418074139/http://www.stevelukather.net/Facts.aspx |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> even though "Spiritual Man" officially credits Paich as the sole writer.

By 2008, Lukather was the only original Toto member still performing with the band: Bobby Kimball was also in the band at the time, but had been absent from it for some time – whereas Lukather has been with Toto since its formation. However, in June of the same year, Lukather decided to leave Toto.<ref name=hogan>{{citation |last=Hogan |first=Ray |title=Lukather of Toto fame steps out on own |work=Connecticut Post  |date=August 22, 2008}}</ref> This decision directly led to the official dissolution of the band. In a 2011 interview discussing his career with Toto, Lukather indicated that the band had evolved too far from its original incarnation and that he was dealing with the physical and mental toll of recording and performing.<ref name="murphy">{{cite interview |last=Lukather |first=Steve |interviewer=Bill Murphy |title=Adult Chords |date=April 29, 2011 |work=Bill Murphy Show |access-date=March 6, 2012 |url=http://murphonics.com/billmurphyshow.com/2011/04/29/steve-lukather-adult-chords/}}</ref> In February 2010, the band announced that they would reunite to support Toto bassist [[Mike Porcaro]], who was diagnosed with [[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis|Lou Gehrig's disease]].<ref>{{citation |title=Toto temporarily reforming in July 2010 |work=Toto99.com |url=http://www.toto99.com/blog2010/index.php?/categories/1-Hot-News/P2.html |date=February 27, 2010 |access-date=2010-10-22}}</ref> They continued to tour on a limited basis in 2011 and 2012.<ref>{{citation|title=Toto Tour Dates Summer 2012 |work=Toto99.com |url=http://www.toto99.com/blog2010/index.php?/categories/1-Hot-News |date=February 25, 2012 |access-date=2012-03-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722213341/http://www.toto99.com/blog2010/index.php?%2Fcategories%2F1-Hot-News |archive-date=July 22, 2010 }}</ref>

Although Lukather indicated in April 2011 that the band would not record any further material,<ref name="murphy"/> Toto announced an international tour schedule and new studio album in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://totoofficial.com/2014/01/toto-ramps-up-for-busy-2014-with-planned-studio-album-upcoming-dvdcd-release-japanese-tour/|title=Toto Ramps Up for a Busy 2014|date=January 23, 2014|work=TotoOfficial.com |access-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref> In March 2015 ''[[Toto XIV]]'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://totoofficial.com/2015/03/toto-xiv-now-available-worldwide/|title=Toto XIV Now Available Worldwide|date=March 23, 2015|work=TotoOfficial.com|access-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref> The band toured in celebration of its [[40 Trips Around the Sun|40th anniversary]] from 2016 to 2019, when Lukather announced an indefinite hiatus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slagman |first1=Arend |title=Toto to go on hiatus after final 40th anniversary show in Philly |url=http://www.stevelukather.com/news-articles/2019/10/toto-to-go-on-hiatus-after-final-40th-anniversary-show-in-philly.aspx |website=SteveLukather.com |access-date=November 16, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A new Toto lineup converged in 2020 to resume performances, featuring Lukather and Williams as the only members persisting from previous lineups, though Paich would still make guest appearances and is considered an official member. The group has virtual livestream performances and eventual live concerts planned for 2020 and 2021, with John Pierce on bass guitar, Robert "Sput" Searight on drums, Steve Maggiora on keyboards, Dominique "Xavier" Taplin on keyboards, and [[Warren Ham]] providing additional vocals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ehrenclou |first1=Martine |title=Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams Announce New Toto Line-Up and Livestream Event |url=https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2020/10/19/steve-lukather-and-joseph-williams-announce-new-toto-line-up-and-livestream-event/ |website=Rock and Blues Muse |access-date=November 18, 2020 |date=19 October 2020}}</ref>

On January 10, 2024, the band announced "The Dogz of Oz" lineup and officially welcomed back [[Greg Phillinganes]] (Keyboards) and [[Shannon Forrest]] (Drums), along with a touring schedule extending into 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TOTO 2024 – TOTO |url=https://totoofficial.com/2024/01/toto-2024/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=totoofficial.com}}</ref>

==Session work==
Lukather achieved notability in the 1970s and 1980s as one of the most sought-after session guitarists in Los Angeles,<ref name="Gold"/> playing with a wide range of artists from [[Aretha Franklin]] to [[Warren Zevon]].<ref name="Gold"/><ref name=discog>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Discography.aspx |title=Steve Lukather Discography |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810130434/http://www.stevelukather.net/Discography.aspx |archive-date=August 10, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He has performed on over 1,500 [[Gramophone record|records]] spanning 36&nbsp;years.<ref name="murphy"/> Music journalist [[Jude Gold]] noted, "It's hard to name a guitarist who has had a more prolific and fulfilling career than Steve Lukather."<ref name="Gold"/> Lukather credits fellow Toto members [[David Paich]] and [[Jeff Porcaro]] for getting him exposure in the industry—although he lamented in an April 2011 interview that opportunities for [[session musician]]s have curtailed in recent years: "There is no 'session guy' thing any more—not like it was. It's not like the old days when I was doing 25 sessions a week. All the studios are gone. The budgets are gone. The record companies are all gone."<ref name="murphy"/> His own output as a session musician has slowed along with the rest of the [[music industry|industry]]—as of 2009, Lukather stated he was doing only a few sessions a year.<ref name="hogan"/>

Named by [[Gibson Guitar Corporation]] as one of the Top 10 session guitarists of all time,<ref name=hall>{{citation |last=Hall |first=Russell |title=10 All-Time Great Session Guitarists |work=Gibson.com |publisher=Gibson Guitar Corporation |url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/10-Session-Guitarist-305/ |date=March 5, 2009 |access-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129054104/http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/10-Session-Guitarist-305/ |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Lukather has performed on many notable tracks, including [[Olivia Newton-John]]'s [[Physical (Olivia Newton-John album)|Physical]] album, [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]'s ''[[Faces (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Faces]]'' album, soloing on the tracks "Back on the Road" and "You Went Away",<ref name=hitmen/> two tracks from the [[Lionel Richie]] album ''[[Can't Slow Down (Lionel Richie album)|Can't Slow Down]]'', and the [[Richard Marx]] album ''[[Repeat Offender (Richard Marx album)|Repeat Offender]] also Stand Back by Stevie Nicks from her album, The Wild Heart''.<ref name=reece>{{citation |last=Reece |first=Doug |date=November 29, 1997 |title=Popular Uprisings |magazine=Billboard |issn=0006-2510 |volume=109 |issue=48 |page=16}}</ref> Lukather and Jeff Porcaro were heavily involved in the recording of virtually all of Michael Jackson's ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]''.<ref name=hitmen/><ref name=hogan/> [[Mark Ronson]] has said, "I've done way more time Googling Lukather's tone on '[[Beat It]]' than . . . [[Eddie Van Halen]]'s because it's the tone that drives the whole record - that's the riff."<ref>[[Thriller 40]] at 31:32</ref> In addition to recording guitar tracks, Lukather has also written or produced music for [[Lionel Richie]], [[Richard Marx]], [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]], [[Donna Summer]], and [[The Tubes]].<ref name=reece/><ref name=weiss>{{citation |last=Weiss |first=Arlene |title=Steve Lukather "All's Well That Ends Well" Album Review |work=Guitar International|url=http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/10/11/steve-lukather-%E2%80%9Call%E2%80%99s-well-that-ends-well%E2%80%9D-album-review/ |date=October 11, 2010 |access-date=2010-10-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015151349/http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/10/11/steve-lukather-%E2%80%9Call%E2%80%99s-well-that-ends-well%E2%80%9D-album-review/ |archive-date=October 15, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He won a Grammy award in 1982 for the [[George Benson]] song "[[Turn Your Love Around]]" (co-written with [[Jay Graydon]] and [[Bill Champlin]]).<ref name=grammy/><ref name=weiss/>

==Solo albums==
[[Image:Steve Lukather with acoustic guitar.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Lukather stands on stage, playing a black Ovation Adamas acoustic–electric guitar and singing into a microphone.|Lukather performing as vocalist and guitarist in Osnabrück, Germany, 2004]]
Lukather has released nine solo studio albums: ''[[Lukather]]'' (1989), ''[[Candyman (album)|Candyman]]'' (1994), ''[[Luke (album)|Luke]]'' (1997), ''[[Santamental]]'' (2003), ''[[Ever Changing Times]]'' (2008), ''[[All's Well That Ends Well (Steve Lukather album)|All's Well That Ends Well]]'' (2010), ''[[Transition (Steve Lukather album)|Transition]]'' (2013), ''[[I Found the Sun Again]]'' (2021), and [[Bridges (Steve Lukather album)|''Bridges'']] (2023).<ref>{{citation |title=SteveLukather.net Albums |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Albums.aspx |work=SteveLukather.net |df=mdy-all |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514091141/http://www.stevelukather.net/Albums.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref><ref name="transition">{{citation |last=Slagman |first=Arend |title=Steve Lukather working on new solo album |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Article.aspx?id=77 |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-04-16}}</ref><ref name="musicweek">{{citation |title=Upcoming Releases |date=November 9, 2012 |magazine=Music Week |page=41 |issn=0265-1548}}</ref>

===1989–1997: ''Lukather'', ''Candyman'', and ''Luke''===
The 1989 album ''[[Lukather]]'' came about after Toto had been recording and playing for 11&nbsp;years, and the consensus among the band members was to take a break. As Lukather had written a number of songs that did not appear on Toto albums, he decided to pursue a solo album, with the intention of presenting a dimension of his music that fans would be unfamiliar with. He collaborated with many notable musicians, including [[Eddie Van Halen]], [[Richard Marx]], [[Jan Hammer]], [[Steve Stevens]], and fellow Toto members Jeff Porcaro and David Paich. Lukather has said that the album was produced very simply, and that a lot of ambient studio noise—counting off on various tracks, for instance—is audible on it. He also credits bands [[Pink Floyd]], [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Led Zeppelin]], and guitarists [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Jeff Beck]], and [[Eric Clapton]] as influences on the album. The single "Swear Your Love" came from the album.<ref name=lukather>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=2 |title=Lukather |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref>

''[[Candyman (album)|Candyman]]'', recorded and mastered from March 1993 through November 1993, was a collaboration of musicians who were for the most part also in Lukather's band Los Lobotomys.<ref name=ottosen>{{citation |url=http://www.loslobotomys.com/mainmenu.php |title=Los Lobotomys |access-date=2012-03-06}}</ref> Toto familiars [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]] and David Paich participated as well as [[David Garfield]], John Peña, Chris Trujillo, Lenny Castro, Larry Klimas, [[Fee Waybill]], [[Richard Page (musician)|Richard Page]], and [[Paul Rodgers]]. Lukather recorded the album in mostly live takes with little [[overdubbing]].<ref name=candyman>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=3 |title=Candyman |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> Some international fans were confused about whether ''Candyman'' was a Steve Lukather album or a Los Lobotomys album. The Japanese and US releases of ''Candyman'' were under the Los Lobotomys name rather than Lukather's; the Japanese release also featured a version of the Hendrix song "[[Red House (song)|Red House]]". The European release of ''Candyman'' was credited to Lukather alone. Additionally, the touring band for the album was sometimes introduced as "Steve Lukather and Los Lobotomys" and sometimes as just "Los Lobotomys".<ref name=lobotomys>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=1 |title=Los Lobotomys |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> The song "Borrowed Time" was released as a single in Europe and included "Red House" as a [[A-side and B-side|B-side]].<ref name=candyman/>

Lukather describes 1997's ''Luke'' as a much different and more "introspective" album than his previous two solo efforts. The album is a concentrated collection of many of Lukather's musical influences, and he deliberately let those influences come out on the album. ''Luke'' is an experimental album, and like ''Candyman'' it was recorded mostly in live sessions with minimal overdubbing and processing afterwards. ''Luke'' also features instrumentation not heard on previous Lukather albums: [[Pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]], [[harmonica]]s, [[Mellotron]]s, and experimental guitar, bass, and drum sounds. The US version of ''Luke'' includes a version of the [[Jeff Beck]] song "The Pump". The song "Hate Everything About U" was released as a single.<ref name=luke>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=4 |title=Luke |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref>

===2003: ''Santamental''===
[[Image:Steve Lukather (Ringo Starr and all his band) (8469752279).jpg|thumb|Lukather performing with [[Ringo Starr]], 2016]]
''[[Santamental]]'', released in October 2003,<ref name=santamental>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Album.aspx?id=6 |title=Santamental |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> is a collaborative project featuring several prominent musicians such as guitarists [[Eddie Van Halen]], [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], [[Steve Vai]], and drummer [[Gregg Bissonette]].<ref>{{citation |last=Leigh |first=Bill |date=December 1, 2005 |title=Holiday Happenings&nbsp;– Steve Lukather and Friends&nbsp;– Santamental |magazine=Bass Player |issn=1050-785X |page=57}}</ref> When Lukather's record company, Bop City Records, approached him about recording a Christmas album, he responded with a quip about his suitability for the project. The company wanted him to do the record knowing he would approach the project with a unique angle and produce something different from the typical Christmas album. Lukather recruited keyboardist Jeff Babko and guitarist [[Larry Carlton]], who Lukather had worked with previously, to help arrange the songs. The project was a challenge to Lukather, who had to be creative to turn the traditionally simple songs into something interesting for listeners without altering the fundamental structures. He said of the album, "But I never dreamt in a million years that I'd do a Christmas record."<ref name="Gold">{{citation |last=Gold |first=Jude |date=January 2001 |title=Christmas Carols in Peril. |magazine=Guitar Player |issn=0017-5463 |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=85(3)}}</ref>

The musicians Lukather chose for ''Santamental'', most of whom were involved in the hard-rock genre, lent a heavy feel to the album. Van Halen recorded guitar tracks for "[[Joy to the World]]" after not having been in the studio for some time but immediately made an impression on Lukather with his level of playing. Vai provided guitar work for "[[Carol of the Bells]]" along with Lukather's son Trevor, then 14 years old. Slash, who recorded his part in one take, played on the Lukather/Stan Lynch composition "Broken Heart for Christmas". Lukather spoke highly of Slash after the project, calling him the "[[Keith Richards]] of our generation". Well-known session guitarist [[Michael Landau]] played on the song "Look Out For Angels",<ref name="Gold"/> and there is a version of "[[Jingle Bells]]" featuring a [[big band]] and sung by [[Sammy Davis Jr.]]<ref name="Gold"/> ''Santamental'' was recorded in six days, after which Lukather proclaimed it "his first and last Christmas album".<ref>{{citation |date=December 23, 2003 |title=Rocker Lukather Celebrates Christmas in June on New Album |work=World Entertainment News Network |publisher=Comtex}}</ref>

===2008–2013: ''Ever Changing Times'', ''All's Well That Ends Well'', and ''Transition''===
[[File:Image-SteveLukather.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Lukather performing with Toto, 2007]]
''[[Ever Changing Times]]'', released on February 22, 2008, is a collection of songs Lukather recorded in 2007 between Toto tours. The album contains contributions from fellow session musicians [[Bill Champlin]], [[Abe Laboriel, Jr.]], [[Leland Sklar]], [[Steve Porcaro]], and many others. Lukather's son Trevor contributed as well. [[Joseph Williams (musician)|Joseph Williams]] provides backing vocals on five of the tracks. Lukather wrote the songs for the album in a hotel room with his son and a handful of other musicians, using basic equipment. His song-writing philosophy is that if a song sounds good with only guitars and vocals, it will likely sound good after a full production.<ref name="molenda" /> Lukather collaborated with Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer Steve MacMillan on the project, with the goal of introducing some new methods and techniques into the recording process. Lukather described the final tracks as "perfectly imperfect", preferring to record with the five-piece backing band in one room and in one take. MacMillan encouraged Lukather to use "organic, vintage tones". As a result, Lukather eschewed [[Effects unit|effects]] and played the guitar parts directly through tube amplifiers manufactured by [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]], [[Vox (musical equipment)|Vox]], and some boutique brands. Lukather commented that MacMillan served as a valuable "second set of ears" in the studio, often encouraging him to keep parts that he normally would have discarded.<ref name=holland/> As Toto had recently disbanded when ''[[Ever Changing Times]]'' was released, Lukather embarked on a solo tour to promote the album. The shows featured a mixture of songs from the album, songs written for other side projects, and "a few Toto obscurities".<ref name=hogan/>

Lukather's sixth studio album, ''[[All's Well That Ends Well (Steve Lukather album)|All's Well That Ends Well]]'', was released on October 11, 2010, in Europe and Japan, and November 16 as a digital download worldwide. The material was written predominantly in collaboration with longtime associate [[C. J. Vanston]], and the album features stalwart musicians from Lukather's touring band. Songwriter [[Randy Goodrum]], who has collaborated with Lukather many times over the years including on the 1986 Toto single "[[I'll Be over You]]", contributes to the track "Brody's".<ref name="murphy"/> ''All's Well That Ends Well'' draws from Lukather's personal experiences in the two years since ''Ever Changing Times''. Critic Arlene Weiss noted that the album features three distinct flavors of music: one that "bares [Lukather's] soul and emotional heartache", one that pans elements of popular culture like [[TMZ.com]], and one that expresses optimism and enthusiasm about the future. While Lukather focused on instrumental writing and production on previous albums but collaborated with lyricists, he wrote much of the lyrics for ''All's Well That Ends Well'' himself.<ref name=weiss/> Lukather describes the album as being a "real" and "honest" reflection of the period between 2008 and 2010, when he experienced difficulties within his private life.<ref name="murphy"/>

In December 2011, Lukather announced the beginning of work on ''[[Transition (Steve Lukather album)|Transition]]''. The album was produced with songwriter and record producer C.J. Vanston and involved musicians [[Chad Smith]], [[Gregg Bissonette]], [[Leland Sklar]], [[Steve Weingart]], and others. Throughout 2012, Lukather released notes and news of the album development through his web site. The title was announced on October 12, 2012.<ref name="transition"/> The album was released January 21, 2013.<ref name="musicweek"/>

===2020–present: ''I Found the Sun Again, Bridges''===
After seven years without the release of any solo material, Lukather released a single entitled "Run to Me" on August 19, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lukather |first1=Steve |title=Steve Lukather Releases "Run To Me" Single and Video |url=http://www.stevelukather.com/news-articles/2020/2020/08/steve-lukather-releases-run-to-me-single-and-video.aspx |website=SteveLukather.com |access-date=November 16, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Two months later, he announced that he would release solo albums simultaneously with longtime Toto collaborator Joseph Williams. Lukather's and Williams' albums, on which they mutually contributed, are entitled ''[[I Found the Sun Again]]'' and ''Denizen Tenant'', respectively, and released on February 26, 2021. Lukather's latest album is titled ''Bridges'' and was released on June 16, 2023. It is preceded by the first single, "When I See You Again". On Instagram, he said "My ninth solo album, ''Bridges'', could not be more accurately titled. I see it as a bridge between my solo music and Toto music. This is as close as we will get to a new Toto record."<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams Announce the Players Club / Mascot Label Group Will Release Solo Albums Simultaneously on February 26, 2021 |url=http://www.stevelukather.com/news-articles/2020/11/steve-lukather-and-joseph-williams-announce-the-players-club-mascot-label-group-will-release-solo-albums-simultaneously-on-february-26,-2021.aspx |website=SteveLukather.com |access-date=November 16, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Side projects==
[[Image:Toto at Town Hall In New York City.jpg|thumb|Lukather and [[Joseph Williams (musician)|Joseph Williams]] performing with Toto, 2016]]
When not working with Toto, Lukather has participated in numerous side projects including playing with [[jazz fusion]] band Los Lobotomys and with other session musicians, and touring with Larry Carlton, [[Joe Satriani]], Steve Vai, and others.

Lukather was a long-time member of the band Los Lobotomys, a collaboration of session musicians including [[jazz]] and [[Bebop|be-bop]] player David "Creatchy" Garfield and Toto drummer [[Jeff Porcaro]], replaced after his death by [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]], who also replaced Porcaro in Toto. Los Lobotomys formed in the mid-1980s and played regular shows in the Los Angeles area, often inviting whatever session musicians happened to be available and in the area. They recorded an album under the Los Lobotomys name in 1989, and the band was heavily involved in the recording of Lukather's ''Candyman''.<ref name=ottosen/> Los Lobotomys recorded a live album in 2004 comprising several tracks from ''Candyman'' and from the 1989 album.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.loslobotomys.com |title=Releases |website=LosLobotomys.com |access-date=2009-07-30}}</ref>

In 1998, Lukather received an invitation to tour Japan with fellow guitarist [[Larry Carlton]] after Japanese promoters requested that Carlton's annual tours each be different from the last. Lukather and Carlton exchanged some recorded material and decided that a collaboration would be interesting. Lukather was flattered by the invitation to tour with Carlton, citing him as his favorite guitarist. Lukather speaks highly of their stage efforts, although the two were admittedly outside their normal realm of work. He stated in an interview that "you can hear us having fun on the record—you can hear the smiles on our faces."<ref name="Marshall">{{citation |last=Marshall |first=Clay |date=March 10, 2001 |title=Vai's Favored Nations Captures Carlton/Lukather Live in Japan |magazine=Billboard |issn=0006-2510 |volume=113 |issue=10 |page=14}}</ref> After several shows, the duo realized that they should record their collaboration even if just for their own use. Guitarist and producer Steve Vai heard one of the subsequent recordings and expressed interest in releasing it under his [[Favored Nations]] label, also home to such artists as [[Eric Johnson (guitarist, born 1954)|Eric Johnson]] and [[Dweezil Zappa]]. Vai and Lukather mixed and produced the recording, which is said to be a mixture of jazz, [[blues]], and fusion music.<ref name="Marshall"/> The resulting album, ''[[No Substitutions: Live in Osaka]]'', won a 2001 Grammy award for [[Best Pop Instrumental Album]].<ref name=grammy/><ref>{{citation |date=February 28, 2002 |title=And the Grammy Award Goes to.. |newspaper=The New York Times }}</ref> Album reviewers described Lukather as having a heavier style than Carlton.<ref>{{citation |last=Woodard |first=Josef |date=August 2001 |title=Fission: All That Funkin' Jazz |magazine=JAZZIZ |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=26(2) |issn= 0741-5885}}</ref> Lukather and Carlton later did an international tour in support of the album.<ref name="Marshall"/>

In 2005, Lukather won critical praise for his rendition of the [[Jimi Hendrix]] song "[[Little Wing]]" at a [[wikt:gala#Noun|gala]] 90th birthday celebration for jazz guitarist [[Les Paul]].<ref>{{citation |last=Sprague |first=David |date=June 22, 2005 |title=Les Paul 90th Birthday Salute |newspaper=Daily Variety |issn=0011-5509 |volume=287 |issue=58 |page=5}}</ref> Returning after a five-year absence, the 2012 [[G3 (tour)|G3 Tour]] featured Lukather alongside Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.<ref>{{citation |last=Bosso |first=Joe |date=November 23, 2011 |title=G3 2012 dates announced{{sic|hide=y}}: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather |work=MusicRadar |publisher=Future Publishing |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/g3-2012-dates-annouced-joe-satriani-steve-vai-and-steve-lukather-515189 |access-date=2012-03-06}}</ref>

In the autumn of 2006, Lukather contributed his cover-version of the [[Michael Landau]]-song "I'm Buzzed" (originally from Landau's ''[[Tales From The Bulge]]'' album) from a live recording of his side band project, [[El Grupo]], to the album project Artists for Charity – [[Guitarists 4 the Kids|Guitarists 4{{nbsp}}the Kids]], produced by Slang Productions, to assist World Vision Canada in helping underprivileged kids in need.<ref name=AFCGFTK>{{cite web|title=Slang Productions – Guitarists 4 the Kids|url=http://slangproductions.com/artists-for-charity-guitarists-4-the-kids.html|website=Slang Productions|access-date=March 30, 2014|date=September 11, 2006}}</ref>

In February 2012, [[Ringo Starr]] announced that Lukather would be the guitarist in his [[All Starr Band]] for their summer tour. Lukather has been touring with that ensemble since that time, performing three Toto songs ("[[Hold the Line]]", "[[Rosanna (song)|Rosanna]]", and "Africa") nightly.<ref>{{citation |date=March 5, 2012 |title=Ringo Starr, Sugarland coming to Fallsview |newspaper=The Buffalo News }}</ref>

Lukather contributes material and expertise to instructional and educational enterprises. In 1985, he released the instructional "[[Star Licks Productions|Star Licks]]" guitar video featuring many of the guitar parts from the first five Toto studio albums. It was released on DVD in 2005.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/Video.aspx?id=1 |title=Steve Lukather – Master session |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2012-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217201132/http://www.stevelukather.net/Video.aspx?id=1 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The guitarist has also been participating in the Fermatta Master Class Series project, an educational cooperative organized by the [[Fermatta Music Academy]] in Mexico.<ref>{{citation |title=Escuelas de Música&nbsp;– Acerca de la Academia de Música Fermatta |website=Fermatta Music Academy |url=http://www.fermatta.edu.mx/ |language=es |access-date=2012-03-06}}</ref>

Lukather has periodically performed with a side band named Nerve Bundle at [[The Baked Potato]] in [[Studio City, Los Angeles|Studio City]], CA around Christmas time. The band features Toss Panos on drums, Jeff Babko on keyboards, and Jorgen Carlsson on bass.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.stevelukather.com/tour/2016/nerve-bundle.aspx |title=Nerve Bundle |work=SteveLukather.net |access-date=2017-02-27}}</ref>

In 2024, Lukather contributed guitar to a re-release of [[Mark Knopfler]]'s "[[Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero]]" in aid of the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/mark-knopfler-recruits-bruce-springsteen-brian-may-ronnie-wood-teenage-cancer-trust-single-3584338 | title= Mark Knopfler recruits Bruce Springsteen, Brian May, Ronnie Wood and more for Teenage Cancer Trust single | work=NME | first=Liberty | last=Dunworth | date=8 February 2024 | access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref>

==Musical style and equipment==

Influenced by such blues-rock guitarists as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, and such [[jazz fusion]] players as [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]], and [[Al Di Meola]], Lukather is known for a "melodic and intense" playing style.<ref>{{citation |last=Lourdes |first=Marc |date=October 4, 2008 |title=Guitar rocker for one and all |newspaper=New Straits Times }}</ref> He has also cited [[Steely Dan]] as a major long-time influence—one that emerges prominently in later solo work such as ''All's Well That Ends Well''.<ref name=blackett2>{{citation |last=Blackett |first=Matt |date=April 2011 |title=Steve Lukather |magazine=Guitar Player |issn=0017-5463 |pages=78+}}</ref> Journalist [[Jude Gold]] notes that his vibrato is very pronounced and his "exaggerated wide bends" are distinctive and quickly recognizable. Well-versed in [[music theory]], Lukather can follow chord charts and changes in a way typical of jazz musicians—this ability enhances his value as a session musician. In interviews, he has explained how he thinks of the guitar in a "chordal cluster" format, and not the typical "linear scale" format.<ref>{{citation |last=Gold |first=Jude |date=February 2003 |title=Steve Lukather's vicious triplets |magazine=Guitar Player |issn=0017-5463 |volume=37 |issue=2 |page=19}}</ref>

Lukather's approach to engineering his sound in the studio is usually simple. He is not known for doing a large number of takes or for incorporating much [[overdubbing]]—rather, he has a reputation for doing only single takes for many parts.<ref name=GB>{{citation |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=February 2007 |title=Legend Luke |magazine=Guitar Buyer |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=43–48}}</ref> He has said about this approach: "If a solo didn't work—either because I didn't have the right sound, or because I wasn't inspired at that moment—I'd just move on. A part either works or it doesn't. You can't batter it into submission, or force inspiration to save you. It's always better to just surrender, and then come back later to give it a go with fresh ears."<ref name=holland/> Although he enjoys the technical mastery that is possible in the studio, Lukather prefers the dynamic of performing live on stage.<ref name=blackett>{{citation |last=Blackett |first=Matt |date=June 2000 |title=Pickups: Steve Lukather |magazine=Guitar Player |issn=0017-5463 |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=47–48}}</ref> He has stated that [[Dynamics (music)|dynamics]] are the most important element of producing a recording with good sound quality.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mettler |first=Mike |date=May 2008 |title=Toto Recall with Steve Lukather |magazine=Sound & Vision |issn=1537-5838 |volume=73 |issue=4 |page=6}}</ref>

Despite being known in the past for having an intricate set of [[effects unit]]s, Lukather now says he plays mostly free of such modifications after seeing some overdone commercial unit configurations named after him.<ref name="Gold"/> Other than some [[Delay (audio effect)|delay]], he has not used many effects in recent years.<ref name=blackett/> He has held a long association with Bob Bradshaw of Custom Audio Electronics, who designed and manufactured key elements of Lukather's effects rack. Lukather was one of the few official endorsers of [[EMG, Inc.|EMG]] pickups, having collaborated on his own Lukather signature "SL20" [[Pick up (music technology)|pickup]] system, which is in essence a "loaded [[pickguard]]" system incorporating two [[single-coil]] EMG SLV pickups and an EMG 85 [[humbucker]]. The system also has single master volume and tone knobs.<ref>{{citation |date=November 2006 |title=The Pro Series |magazine=Music Trades |issn=0027-4488 |volume=154 |issue=10 |page=52}}</ref> In December 2012, Lukather collaborated with DiMarzio pickups on a new set of signature pickups called "Transition". He has been using these pickups in his Music-Man Luke{{nbsp}}3 guitar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/DiMarzio_Releases_Steve_Lukather_Transition_Pickups|title=DiMarzio Releases Steve Lukather Transition Pickups|website=www.premierguitar.com|date=December 6, 2012|access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref>

Lukather endorses [[Music Man (company)|Music Man]] guitars and has a signature model named "Luke" that incorporated his signature EMG pickup system. The guitar started out with only MusicMan [[specifications]] (including a Floyd Rose locking vibrato, later replaced with a vintage-style fulcrum bridge), but in 1998, the manufacturer made several customizations to the model to better fit Lukather's playing style.<ref>{{citation |date=July 1998 |title=Music Man |magazine=Music Trades |issn=0027-4488 |page=186}}</ref> Music Man also produces a Ball Family Reserve Steve Lukather Model that features an alder body with a [[mahogany]] "tone block" inlaid under the [[Pickup (music technology)|pickups]], capped with a figured [[maple]] top and transparent finish.<ref name=ball>{{citation |last=Molenda |first=Michael |date=January 2008 |title=Gear Roundup: Music Man Ball Family Reserve |magazine=Guitar Player |issn=0017-5463 |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=150–151}}</ref> In 2012 a new version of the guitar called the LIII was introduced with a 3% larger but similarly contoured body, all-[[rosewood]] neck and passive pickup options (dual humbucker or single-single-humbucker) combined with an active preamp and 12-[[Decibel|dB]] boost activated from a push/push tone pot. the LIII model also debuted Lukather's switch from EMG to custom DiMarzio "Transition" model pickups. In 2013 Lukather changed to a roasted maple neck with a rosewood [[fret board]], citing the exceptional stability of roasted maple while touring as a factor in his decision. As a result, the LIII specification and production was changed to match Lukather's preference.<ref>{{citation |title=Luke3 |website=Music Man |url=http://www.music-man.com/instruments/guitars/luke-III.html |access-date=2013-01-10}}</ref> Lukather has also been known to play [[Ibanez]] and [[Valley Arts Guitar|Valley Arts]] guitars. His relationship with Ibanez and Valley Arts yielded an endorsement for a brief time in the 1980s with the release of the Ibanez Roadstar RS1010SL and Valley Arts Custom Pro Steve Lukather Signature guitars in 1984–85.<ref name=ball/> He has played [[Ovation Guitar Company|Ovation]] Adamas series [[acoustic-electric guitar|acoustic–electric guitars]].<ref>{{citation |title=Steve Lukather |website=Ovation Guitar Company |url=http://www.ovationguitars.com/players/artist/Lukather |access-date=2012-04-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729075911/http://www.ovationguitars.com/players/artist/Lukather |archive-date=July 29, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Starting before his 2010 ''[[All's Well That Ends Well (Steve Lukather album)|All's Well That Ends Well]]'' tour, Lukather began playing and endorsing [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] Studio Response Technology acoustic–electric guitars.<ref>{{citation |last=Barrett |first=Andy |url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/endorsement-steve-lukather-hooks-up-with-yamaha/014513 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810073011/http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/endorsement-steve-lukather-hooks-up-with-yamaha/014513 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2013 |title=Endorsement: Steve Lukather hooks up with Yamaha |website=Musical Instrument Professional |date=September 9, 2010 |access-date=2012-04-13 }}</ref>

Information about his current equipment can be found on Lukather's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevelukather.com/artist/gear.aspx|title=Steve Lukather Official Website – Gear|work=Steve Lukather Official Website}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Lukather dated singer [[Marie Currie]] in the late 70s, and they got married on November 7, 1981. They had two children, Tina (born May 13, 1985)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lukather |first=Steve |date=May 13, 2016 |title=Facebook |website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/SteveLukather/posts/happy-birthday-to-my-oldest-daughter-tina-you-changed-my-life-forever-and-for-th/10153721029797862/}}</ref> and Trevor (born May 4, 1987).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trevor Lukather {{!}} Actor, Soundtrack |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7636890/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> They divorced in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lukather |first1=Steve |first2=Paul |last2=Rees |date=September 17, 2018 |title=The Gospel According to Luke |publisher=[[Post Hill Press]] |isbn=9781642932850}}</ref> In 1980, he collaborated with her and her twin sister on an album titled ''[[Messin' with the Boys]]''.

Lukather married [[Shawn Batten]] in 2002, whom he had been dating since the late 1990s. They had two children, Lily Rose (born September 7, 2007) and Bodhi William (born December 12, 2010). They divorced in 2010.<ref name="TPS">{{cite news |last1=Tulloch |first1=Katrina |title=Steve Lukather of Toto never thought 'Africa' would be a hit |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2017/06/steve_lukather_of_toto_never_thought_africa_would_be_a_hit.html |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=The Post-Standard |date=8 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

In recent years, Lukather was in a relationship with Amber Thayer (née Peek), ex-wife of Kiss guitarist [[Tommy Thayer]].

==Discography==
{{Main article|Steve Lukather discography}}

===Studio albums===
* ''[[Lukather]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Candyman (album)|Candyman]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Luke (album)|Luke]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Santamental]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Ever Changing Times]]'' (2008)
* ''[[All's Well That Ends Well (Steve Lukather album)|All's Well That Ends Well]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Transition (Steve Lukather album)|Transition]]'' (2013)
* ''[[I Found the Sun Again]]'' (2021)
* ''[[Bridges (Steve Lukather album)|Bridges]]'' (2023)

===Collaborative albums===
* ''Lotus Gem'' (with [[Carlos Santana]] and [[Jeff Beck]]) (1992)
*''[[No Substitutions: Live in Osaka]]'' (with [[Larry Carlton]]) (2001)
* ''An Odd Couple Live'' (with [[Edgar Winter]]) (2010)

===With Toto===
* ''[[Toto (album)|Toto]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Hydra (Toto album)|Hydra]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Turn Back (album)|Turn Back]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Toto IV]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Isolation (Toto album)|Isolation]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Fahrenheit (Toto album)|Fahrenheit]]'' (1986)
* ''[[The Seventh One]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Kingdom of Desire]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Tambu (album)|Tambu]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Toto XX]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Mindfields]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Through the Looking Glass (Toto album)|Through the Looking Glass]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Falling in Between]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Toto XIV]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Old Is New]]'' (2018)

===With Los Lobotomys===
* ''Los Lobotomys'' (1989)

===With El Grupo===
* ''El Grupo Live'' (2005)

==Awards==
* 1982&nbsp;– [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song]]: Steve Lukather, [[Jay Graydon]], Bill Champlin (for George Benson)&nbsp;– "Turn Your Love Around"
* 1982&nbsp;– [[Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical|Grammy Award for Producer of the Year]]: Toto&nbsp;– ''Toto IV''
* 1982&nbsp;– [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year]]: Toto&nbsp;– ''Toto IV''
* 1982&nbsp;– [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year]]: Toto&nbsp;– "[[Rosanna (song)|Rosanna]]"
* 2002&nbsp;– [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album]]: Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather&nbsp;– ''No Substitutions: Live in Osaka''
* 2009&nbsp;– Musicians Hall Of Fame<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1623747/rascal-flatts-perform-with-toto-during-musicians-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016225246/http://www.cmt.com/news/1623747/rascal-flatts-perform-with-toto-during-musicians-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 16, 2015|title=Rascal Flatts Perform With Toto During Musicians Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony}}</ref>
* 2010&nbsp;– Eddy Christiani Award<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.eddychristianiaward.nl/pagina/Archief |title=Winnaars Eddy Christiani Award |publisher=Sena |language=nl |access-date=2013-08-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908021148/http://www.eddychristianiaward.nl/pagina/Archief |archive-date=September 8, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* 2015&nbsp;– Guitar Player Magazine – Lifetime Achievement Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1013/gp-editors-announce-2015-hall-of-fame-honorees/53761#.Vfrh1ePRdvc.twitter|title=GP Editors Announce 2015 Hall of Fame Honorees|website=GuitarPlayer.com}}</ref>

==Books==
* ''The Gospel According to Luke'' (2018)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
*{{Official website}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p99934|label=Steve Lukather}}
* {{discogs artist|Steve Lukather}}
* {{IMDb name|0525567|Steve Lukather}}
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/steve-lukather Steve Lukather Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (March 12, 2015)

{{Steve Lukather|state=plain}}
{{Toto}}
{{G3 (tour band)}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lukather, Steve}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
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[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
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[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American music arrangers]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Record producers from California]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:Columbia Records artists]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:American lead guitarists]]
[[Category:Toto (band) members]]
[[Category:Grant High School (Los Angeles) alumni]]
[[Category:Favored Nations artists]]
[[Category:Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band members]]
[[Category:Jazz fusion guitarists]]