The Gospel According to Luke

I liked the book a lot. I never liked Toto and while I was in the middle of
reading the book I went on Youtube and watched old videos of them playing in
the 70's.
Nope. I still don't like them.
I also watched a video of Yes with Rick Wakeman
wearing a cape and remember that I thought they also sucked.
Everyone is different, everyone has different tastes.
Some of us don't like Asparagus...some of us do.
So after stating the obvious I can offer MY opinion that I never
liked Toto or their records. "Africa'? Oh man is that a totally boring song?
Those not old enough to remember might not have been exposed to the idea
that punk rock and the likes of The Ramones and The Sex Pistols was a
reaction to the over done production and blandness of the likes of Toto and
Yes and Genesis. Brilliant technicians but not much fun.
How many vocal tracks do you need? How much overdubbing do you have to have?
Sun records recorded classics on 1/4 inch tape but yes times do change.
So all that being said I have to say again that I really liked Lukes book. It
was informative and entertaining.
It was totally worth the $15 bucks I paid.
I might not like Toto but Lukather is an amazing player.
An incredible player.
I went back and listened to Toto but I also listened to his band with Larry
Carlton and man do those guys Kick A**.
A really, really good band deserving of their Grammy.
Toto was a bunch of crotch-rock, screaming, synth laden crap
but something as simple as Luke singing Red House is just amazing A+++,
awesome playing.
I had to laugh at Lukes hilarious disclaimer: (to paraphrase) "If they did so
many drugs or were as debauched as the rumors
then how could they have worked so hard and produced so much product"?
(It's hilarious because a good portion of the book is drug taking anecdotes.
"Hold the Line" should maybe be retitled "Snort The Line")
But him saying that is like Lance Armstrong
saying "If I was on so many steroids and PED's how could I have won so many
races?"
I don't care if they did drugs. I've read autobiographies and biographies
about and by Miles Davis, Stan Getz, John Coltrane,
Charles Mingus, Keith Richards, Dave Davies, Steve Marriot, Art Pepper,
Maryann Faithful, Edith Piaf, Hank Williams, Elvis etc, etc.
(Hell... they buried Sinatra with a bottle of Jack Daniels.)
They were all genius level performers and artists and drugs were involved in
every story.
Where would the Beatles have been without Preludin or Dylan without little
white pills.
It comes with the territory. Luke doesn't owe me an explanation and I'm not
asking for one.
I got very much value from reading his book. I was entertained and thank him
for the stories.
Lukather is a superb Reconteur and I look forward to another book if he
should write one.
I wasn't a fan before I read the book but I am now. I'll bet that he's a
really good, loyal friend to those he loves.
Thats the idea I got anyway.
Thanks Luke. Good Job!

Not only is Luke a brilliant musician and as crazy as he professes to be he is certainly a humble human being. I've read lots of biographies on lots of rock stars. He presented the ride better than anyone. I appreciate that he didn't dwell on Thriller, he didn't need to. I have made it a mission to go back and listen to everything he's done. Toto was never close to being my favorite band. But they are the band I respect the most. The brotherhood of that band was special. Luke's book is a textbook on contemporary LA session music and its history. I bought the paperback and lovingly display it in my bookshelf and tell everyone who asks,"which is the best or favorite book"? It's The Gospel I reach for and talk about it till they have had enough.
I had the opportunity to see him with his friends at Jeff Lynne's showcase at the Henry Fonda in Hollywood some years back. A splendid time was had by all!

Not only is Luke a brilliant musician and as crazy as he professes to be he is certainly a humble human being. I've read lots of biographies on lots of rock stars. He presented the ride better than anyone. I appreciate that he didn't dwell on Thriller, he didn't need to. I have made it a mission to go back and listen to everything he's done. Toto was never close to being my favorite band. But they are the band I respect the most. The brotherhood of that band was special. Luke's book is a textbook on contemporary LA session music and its history. I bought the paperback and lovingly display it in my bookshelf and tell everyone who asks,"which is the best or favorite book"? It's The Gospel I reach for and talk about it till they have had enough.
I had the opportunity to see him with his friends at Jeff Lynne's showcase at the Henry Fonda in Hollywood some years back. A splendid time was had by all!

Wasnt in a hurry because I purpose to read while on vacation ,,, Love all of his work and he is a funny guitar player ,, have heard a lot of his interviews for the book and look forward to reading in detail what he talks about ……

Steve Lukather wrote a very "clean" autobiography with this book. It shares a lot of stuff that happened over his life as a phenomenal guitarist with Toto. This book isn't a "tell all" in which he denigrates people. It's great reading for me, as a musician. But, if you want the "full, unblocked" Lukather, there are lots of YouTube interviews out there that will show his true outrageously frank and funny personality...😊😊

Fantastic autobiography of the amazing Steve Lukather. I was already a fan and thought I knew how many hit recordings he’s been involved with. I wasn’t even close. Amazing stories filled Luke’s awesome sense of humor. From Toto to Paul McCartney to Michael Jackson and on and on. Highly recommended.

It's an OK read, and there are some good stories about Hollywood in the 70's and 80"s. I wish there were more stories about session events, how he comes up with the great parts he plays, more guitar playing info than his party life and record exec's killing Toto.

Great stories and a wonderful read. I enjoyed it.

First things first - loved ToTo/still listen to it -but book is about Steve Lukather - a brilliant, talented and undervalued guitarist. At times he comes off as bragging and defensive, but have to remind myself that people who are that talented are a lot more secure than I am. I am thoroughly enjoying reading it (although some parts are a little rough - but I did stupid things in the 80's, too). I've also learned some tidbits both about how many recordings and music he was part of (as was ToTo), and things like the fact that they once considered Mickey Thomas as the lead singer for ToTo (to replace Bobby Kimball).

I'm a big fan. Book was awesome