Watch Steve Lukather Shred The Beatles

Steve Lukather, 2003
Steve Lukather, 2003 (Image credit: Brigitte Engl/Redferns)

Happy birthday to Steve Lukather!

Toto founding member Lukather is one of the most prolific session players alive, clocking up a staggering number of album credits to his name (over 1,500!) The multiple Grammy-winning guitarist has contributed to a vast number of works spanning genres and styles from pop to hard rock, and for several years has toured with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr in the All-Starr Band supergroup.

As well as being one of the most in-demand guitar players around, Lukather is a successful artist in his own right having recorded 8 solo albums to date, including this year’s I Found the Sun Again (featuring Ringo Starr on drums.)

Steve Lukather 'I Found the Sun Again' album artwork

(Image credit: The Players Club)

Lukather was awestruck by the Beatles at an early age when teaching himself to play on a Kay acoustic guitar. Recalling his first encounter with the Meet the Beatles! album the guitarist said, "The sound of it overcame my whole soul, if you want to call it that. I knew that's what I wanted to do. I remember George Harrison played a solo in “I Saw Her Standing There” and just the sound of the guitar bending and the reverb struck a nerve inside of me."

Lukather later paid homage to George Harrison, recording “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” for Toto’s 2002 covers album Through the Looking Glass. And in this clip, the guitarist lets rip with an impassioned electric guitar solo as he performs the number live with Toto – the close-up shot allowing us to view his incredible technique at close quarters.

Check out the awesome Steve Lukather Collection at Ernie Ball Music Man here.

Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III HH in Bodhi Blue finish Steve Lukather signture model

Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III HH in Bodhi Blue finish (Image credit: Ernie Ball Music Man)
Rod Brakes

Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as GuitaristTotal Guitar, Guitar WorldGuitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.