Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Steve Lukather

"It’s the greatest thing in the world to be able to have something to express yourself with besides your mouth... which usually gets you in trouble anyway. In the wise words of Frank Zappa: ‘Shut up n play yer guitar’."
In this episode, legendary guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto) discusses his obsession with playing guitar, his drive as a musician, and his contributions to some of the world's most notable records.
String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players.
Steve Lukather relies on Ernie Ball Super Slinky Paradigm electric guitar strings for his signature sound. You can find them here: ernieb.al/2pIb4Yc
Steve also has his iconic signature Ernie Ball Music Man Luke guitar collection which has been a staple instrument line since the very beginning. Find the Ernie Ball Music Man signature Steve Lukather collection here: musc.mn/2H7ru33
Watch additional episodes of Ernie Ball: String Theory here: ernieb.al/1QtdTx9

[@chriskilian2325]

"too jazzy for rock, too rock for jazz" Steve Lukather, professional genius.

[@s3xinv3gas]

This guy is one of the most complete players ever! No discussion.

[@TheClampounder]

negative he couldn't even play any of Marty Friedman's music.... but Friedman was easily able to play Lukather's kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2e1kKCLaLtmeM0

[@davidnuijten8133]

Joseph E why is it that marty friedman didnt play on a 1000 records. Because he is not the Guy the producers thought he would get the job doen. Luke was/is that guy

[@VBshredder]

100% agree, i only really discovered the guy recently (besides hearing all those records he was on not knowing it was him), but he's blown me away. The guy can both shred and play as tastefully as anyone out there, as well as occasionally just cut loose and let it all out, all the while seemingly hitting every note perfectly.

[@onevoiceinc]

I love Satch, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Petrucci, etc., etc., but you hear the Luke and it's an otherworldly experience. Hands down one of my favorites.

[@vanjamilosevic6937]

"negative" what Marty did there was near as close as original sound.

[@pgbear]

A brilliant interview with a brilliant musician. Steve Lukather is one of the greatest living guitarists. Check out his autobiography, it's a great read.

[@Cigarsnguitars]

Agreed. I’ve been a huge fan of his work and he’s been a big influence on my style of playing since the late 70’s.

[@seanvine39]

It’s not just Steve’s playing that’s gotten him so far...it’s also his charm. Just a great dude to hang with. You have to have both elements. It’s not enough to be a great player. Great players are everywhere. Personality is just as important if not more important.

[@guskalogeros9021]

Brilliant answer. It’s true.

[@Greenriver842]

Absolutely agree on that

[@kamaboko1]

For those that play guitar, SL is not underrated. He's on top of the mountain with the best of them.

[@henrygeorge9668]

He's not great just ok there's no mountain for him at all

[@jeffschamel3756]

Those who fawn all over Luke wish they could play/be like him. Those who negate his talent or contributions - secretly feel the same way.

[@mariorojas3724]

@@henrygeorge9668 Are you 12 years old? 🤦‍♂️

[@Monomonmamon]

honestly I am just starting to be obsessed with SL because I knew him late, never knew the guy behind toto's guitar is a monster

[@DrLangly]

correct.

[@danielnahuelpi]

1:17 "Hero with a 1000 eyes", what an underrated song

[@nielsheuven3628]

@WERTIO Candyman album, great stuff!

[@ClaudeColmars]

danielnahuelpi I was desperately trying to remember the name of that song but my mind was blank. You just made my day ! :D

[@danielavenell4080]

It never ceases to amaze me how humble and self-deprecating he is. Best all-rounder on the planet as far as I’m concerned. Love the guy.

[@liorauf]

Luke is definitely a one of the GREATEST!!! Love this man so much!!! Luke III is an absolute insane axe!!! 🤘🏻❤️

[@tomulator]

Lior Aufgang I can’t even hardly stand to play another guitar than my Bodhi Blue H/H Luke LIII. It is THAT GOOD. So great to play “live” too...always DELIVERS! 💪🏻😎🎸

[@liorauf]

Tomulator 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@EVEROSFP1]

Steve is one of the Men for sure...True, honest, humble, brilliant...

[@PJyrstinkangas]

3:47 "I was thrilled" I see you what you did there.

[@stanleysteemer3544]

Thanks

[@patsun74]

This is the guy and his guitar that got me back on the horseback so to speak. Paused my guitar paying for almost 20 years. Now I can’t let go of my Music Man LIII prepped with 9-42 Super Slinky EB strings ❤️

[@xavierortiz2690]

@Little luke l have the Sterling version, and it is the most playable guitar!

[@patsun74]

Oh yes, it’s awesome! Did a couple of short solos on a friends song...check the guitar here 😍🎸 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5upe36PZaqraaM

[@bobvaningen578]

I own a blue luke 1 and it is the best guitar I ever had! Had to wait 10 months for it to get to me.. but all worth it!! Wont sell it.. ever.

[@bobvaningen578]

@@patsun74 I liked it!

[@patsun74]

Bob van Ingen , thanks man ❤️🎸

[@tcaustin7]

I've always thought that if you were building a dream band, that you'd want to start with Steve Lukather, he's a boundless talent and confined to no single style.

[@anthonysilva5312]

I’ve written “musician” on my tax return since 1975..... ‘Nuff said

[@VibhasPatil]

Luke is the one who inspired me to be a versatile guitar player. He was the first guy I listened to who could play pretty much everything. Such an underrated guitar player considering the fact that he along with Michael Landau basically were the voices in guitar for the better part of a decade. More power to you Luke!!

[@joesolorzano3207]

Fiercely proud to say that Steve has just been added to my list of guitar heroes, and it was long overdue. What an enormous talent and such a great down to earth guy. Just tells it like it is.

[@dorylobel]

Beautiful human being, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Period.

[@MartyDadRiffs]

This rules so damn hard. Luke is the truth! Plus he played bass on Beat It?? Killer!

[@TAB0613]

Steve seen you in wabash indiana awesome show..... no matter what you do if playing with one of the beatles or ToTo or jam with eddie van halen..... you have been a great part of so many of us 50 somethings lives.... thank you..... god bless and thank you again. Tommy emmanual, jimmie page, eric clapton, edward van halen.... have nothing on you for the sure volume and thankless music you have given us...

[@milanpolak]

Luke, one of the best and often underrated players out there!

[@charleswahlstrom3154]

Nobody who knows who he is thinks he's underrated. Quit using that word... your ignorant use of the language in your comment is underrated.

[@danielhadida3915]

"underrated" means people who know of him don't think he's that good. That's usually NOT what people think of Steve Lukather.

[@jeffschamel3756]

I believe the word you seek is “underexposed” or “under appreciated”

[@johnlannikk2701]

What/Who is a 'Rated Guitarist?' Who gives a %£** about Rates apart from Glossy Mags

[@scottyecora]

5:53 Party in Simon's Pants, also from the Candyman album. It's always interesting to see the fingerings Steve uses to play his riffs. It's often not what you would have thought. I have seen him live countless times and I noticed that he plays most of them close to the nut, using open strings as much as possible and limiting the movements of his left hand. A true master of the instrument!

[@gtrman69777]

That's my favorite song on that album. Too bad I can't find my copy of it. 😢

[@nevbabas]

That beat it guitar riff is evergreen. Something simple, but memorable. Steve is a legend!

[@GeorgyPorgyPuddingPie]

“Eddie get’s all the love” So fucking true, so sad that Luke is so underrated, he played the entire Beat It song.

[@jeffyoung2890]

Steve you are without a doubt my hero, my teacher in some ways, and most of all a friggin' class act sir! Great-great-great indeed man, played on so many records that nobody realizes. And still going strong after all these years dude. God bless you always Steve Lukather!

[@PhuckHue2]

Legend. glad he's still here

[@saltyassassin]

Steve's not only my favorite guitarist... He's one of the best human beings out there. What a humble guy.

[@danieldamore3187]

Luke was a big influence on me to pursue a career in music!

[@GaryParris]

one of my fave alltime greatest guitar players

[@mexicanosdelmundo]

This video & interview are pure gold. Luke's an icon, one of the most accomplished session & live musicians from the last 4 decades, and great singer & songwriter... not to mention he's also one of the coolest human beings in the music industry. Thanks to him & Ernie Ball for sharing this amazing segment.

[@pamc4106]

That was fabulous. What a guy. Brilliant.

[@Stu047]

Great interview! - Luke is undoubtedly the coolest member of our species!!

[@tomulator]

Thank YOU Luke for “inspiring” countless guitarists like myself. I understand the “love affair” with the instrument...such a BLESSING to play!!

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

His solo on the Tubes "Talk To Ya Later" is one of my favorite solos by anyone that I ever heard. Why he's not on more lists alongside Hendrix, Page, etc. is a mystery. He's every bit as good as anyone people mention as best ever.

[@DannyBrooks1]

Love Steve! Tells it like it is. He earned his fame and fortune.

[@Dannyael1977]

Master!!

[@moniaguerra8023]

Steve Lukather One of the greatest guitarists in the world ❤️

[@markbeaver5010]

I know I saw Steve playing in a Band when I was in High School in the San Fernando Valley in the early 70's at an outdoor party in Chatsworth, he was great then!!!

[@russfink8977]

Luke's a Beast!

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

I’ll never be “Steve Lukather good” but I won’t stop trying! Thank you for the inspiration, Steve. 🤙🏼

[@johnpauldeguzman823]

The force is strong with this one

[@thesoultransferprotocol721]

A True MASTER.

[@texrex4580]

Well done the Ernie Ball company for sharing moments like this with living legends like Steve. He's a truly classy guitarist and very humble about is background. Bet he's a great guy to hang out with.

[@hugofolch876]

This guy is a Legend

[@NoamGonen]

Luke rocks - a great player, rhythm guitarist, musician and most of all a fine human being!

[@BigWisdom]

Best of ALL TIME

[@GerryBlue]

TBH I've never been much of a fan of his but I respect his attitude 100%. It's not about being the fastest, but the tastier indeed, and the drive to always learn, I can relate to that.

[@awixtube]

I so love this guy.... humble and yet great guitarist

[@bozziovai]

as soon as forever thru, i'll be over you ---------------- i can't get enough of Steve Lukather, his work with Toto and his solo albums. Borrowed Time one of my favourite tunes.

[@bobvaningen578]

I went to see Los Lobottomis 5 times in Holland and loved it. Borrowed Time is great and so is the rest of the repertoire. What I liked about the concerts was.. a song could last 5 or 20 minutes.. depending on the mood of the band. Capture the moment and paint a picture.. thats what it was.

[@shawnkane3348]

I love this guy! He is sooo inspiring to listen to, because he can do anything! There is no one trick pony for him. For some odd reason, I have loved Toto since I was probably in middle school...late 80's...and have followed him since. Beyond the amazing guitar playing/writing, he is, by far, my favorite vocalist for Toto. Loved his book as well. Just seems like an amazing talent in a normal, everyday guy.

[@lorenzocafferata6826]

I owe this man everything I know about music and playing guitars. He can really play everything, a real Musician. Thanks Luke for your dedication to the music

[@zaffman]

Been following Luke since Toto’s first LP in the 70’s. In fact I always aspired to be able to play as well as he does. Can’t get enough of his guitar playing!! Thanks Luke for all the incredible years of music!!

[@kevinb.3244]

Steve is definitely one of the greatest. Hope to hear him and get inspired by him for many, many more years.

[@Greenriver842]

Tremendous musician, he can play just anything.

[@robroy4058]

How can you not love this guy? He's one of the greatest, and he is a great guy!

[@AJgeartalk]

I'd like to find the "little kids" that he's talking about! Steve is such a humble soul. I agree that he is one of the GREATEST living guitarists!

[@eddycabello667]

Tasty. Just check out Q's The Dude. Tasteful indeed....and a rocker...he knows what is needed.

[@luckyjones22]

I can’t like this enough. So inspiring!

[@thefrankcoda]

Excellent interview! One of the best guitarists ever. Unbelievable how humble he is compared to the amount of amazing songs he contributed to! Thanks for that, Ernie Ball! ❤️

[@kevy4548]

Legend

[@gabrielkolovos6997]

Had no idea Steve played on Beat It! Always thought the bass in that song was kickin!

[@techai5466]

Hi...! He's also the original composer of the riff base, and he played guitar and bass in this song. Hugs from Argentina...!

[@ericcarpenter3263]

Quincy Jones studio band was basically TOTO. Thriller is basically TOTO and Michael Jackson. His playing on there is jaw dropping.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

Human Nature too, of course.

[@bphilipb]

What a great interview. I finished his book in two days and loved it. I would love to see him do a full masterclass updated from the one he did back in the late 80's. Can't wait to pick up and try out his signature guitar. Thank you.

[@sheercerebralpower]

Spent my youth up to seventh one learning EVERYTHING by Luke…..met him twice and we even shared a dressing room when we opened for Los Lobotomies

[@dawnpoint]

The secret to being successful as a musician: Get your chops together so people want you. Be on people's minds when they need someone to play. Just like Luke.

[@FrisellFan01]

I have soooooooooooooo much respect for this guy.... and what he does.....he is the luckiest guy alive......

[@GeoffSweet]

Still remember the moment I learned the Solo, note for note, from Rosana... I still get a thrill out of it every time I have a chance to play it. Thanks Luke!!!

[@marcpaola1371]

I had the same feeling. The end solo was very different to what I'd been playing. I got turned on to Toto and found out who Steve was (this was many years ago), I heard that song and solo and sat down for a longtime learning it note for note and got a glimpse of what he was thinking (feeling), musically during the solo.

[@techai5466]

Steve Lukather, uno de los pocos. Maestro absoluto.

[@rogercardenas111]

I think some of us think ,man I would love to have been in his shoes. Great band and excellent studio musician ,plus made a living out of it.

[@kbiggs49]

He did not bullshit his way he is by far the player , I have Luke followed from the beginning he is the best in my view love everything he has done.

[@andersthuresson]

Smart and down to earth guy! His sense of humor is just as great as his guitar playing.

[@AlaskanW0LF1]

What id give to meet this guy my parents saw Toto live earlier this year in march

[@Svensonguitar]

He is still one of my favorite player, his solo albums are amazing and always an inspiration!

[@ashishdhakal7681]

Master of universe who took control over music.

[@pamc4106]

Wow. You are the god of guitar players.

[@rz0svp]

Top 3 Guitarist for me. Wrote one of the most iconic rock riffs ever on the #1 selling album of all time. Out of all the videos I've watched of him, this is the first time I saw him play the Beat It riff. Iconic!!!

[@peevee605]

God bless Steve Lukather. Nicest guy in the industry.

[@8eight104]

One of the best guitarists of his generation IMO

[@weed2man]

Dude luke is the workingmans guitar God he is humble as all hell and a amazing player!

[@sebastiancuthbertmusic]

I love him

[@sandrosadhukhan]

Man, he's as real as it gets.

[@bubasknr]

LEGEND

[@drummersaad]

I knew you played in Beat It. Anyone who has been into rock and roll even a little bit knows what you have done over the years. We love you. :)

[@bobvaningen578]

A living legend! If ever I get fed up in life I watch a Luke/Toto dvd and it revives me. I just love this guy!! Great interview btw.

[@srwaite7]

It’s true! There’s is always something new to strive with the guitar and music. Right on, Luke! ✌🏻

[@saratogawinner934]

Not only is Steve an absolute monster player, but he's just so cool and down to earth. Also, this video is so beautifully produced. Thanks!

[@pamc4106]

It's like being in heaven when you play!!!

[@tunoman]

My three favorite riff of all time in the same video👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@yucatansuckaman5726]

Is there a better feeling than fresh slinkies on your ax? So satisfying. Never change ernie ball!!!!!!🤘🤘😜🤘🤘

[@DarioMorandi8686]

Two songs from Candyman in this one, that could mean that a Loslobotobys's reunion, with the old guys, Simon Phillips, David Garfield and John Pena is on the table? I hope so.

[@michaelsnydermusic]

This series is so important. It should be featured in musical education. Honestly, I’ve never felt so seen because these guys just get it and the interviewer must be really good to get it all out there. Oh and the lighting is fantastic.

[@ellenfiten3816]

Luke is the best guitarist ever 🎸🎸💜💜

[@fullmetalsal]

True living legend. 🙏🙏🙏

[@Adam-rw1gt]

EDDIE get all the love 🤣🤣🤣 Love luke !!

[@Hazardteam]

A REAL musician! I love this guy :)

[@JamesRussoMillas]

Party in Simon's Pants 🔥🔥🔥

[@Jedizen07]

My hero.

[@diaboluspepito5103]

Nice ride steve...cool shwinn sting ray bmx

[@jasonpierson9829]

One of the most humble musicians ever. I spent 30 years in a tux (and I'm classically trained on bassoon). I build trucks now.

[@Greg-rd8qr]

He's great!!!

[@corrickkonie]

One of the best!!!

[@kathyettinger3257]

Love this guy's playing so much!

[@DeathMetalGuitar]

thank you Luke for being so true to your art, and in the process, becoming the icon and inspiration for the rest of us....