I was basically a Les Paul guy at that point I had the goldtop and it. It’s a ’59 and I bought it when doing the second album. The holy grail of the collection it has a lot of history.
Like your famous Les Paul Standard, the “Rosanna” Les Paul? I kick myself now, but then I came out a billion percent up (laughs), and I still have some prized pieces. I asked myself, “When’s the last time I played this?” and let it go. I almost didn’t sell the goldtop, but the guy kept upping his offer. I know it’s a bitchin’ guitar and worth a lot, but someone offered me an exorbitant amount of money. I never played the ’60 much – the neck was too thin for me didn’t feel right. I sold them for a fortune about five years ago. I could kick myself for selling some of the good old ones, like my 1958 Les Paul Standard goldtop and a ’60 Les Paul Standard sunburst. Obviously, I’m a Music Man guy now, but I have collected some interesting pieces over the years. We caught up with Luke for a chat and equipment hang at his gear haven in Hollywood Studio Rentals. Ever Changing Times boasts a strong fusion of great songs, well-crafted arrangements and loads of guitar gems. Luke returned recently with a new solo album. More recently Luke performed at the prestigious Tokyo Jazz Festival with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and “a cast of thousands” in late ’04, including a tour of Japan with Nuno Bettencourt. The new millennium saw Luke touring with Carlton, and releasing the live No Substitutions with his idol. He released solo albums, stretched out with the fusion-oriented Los Lobotomies, collaborated as a songwriter on George Benson’s “Turn Your Love Around,” played guitar and bass on Michael Jackson’s multi-platinum Thriller, and was recruited as producer to record Jeff Beck in the ’90s (sadly, a project which was shelved). By the early ’80s, Lukather’s sound and approach set the standard, and in years that followed he won accolades ranging from gold and platinum records to guitar polls and Grammy awards.
picked up where Larry Carlton left off and became required attendance for career guitarists on the scene. Luke built a reputation and following as guitarist extraordinaire with Toto as well as through illustrious studio guest spots, like Lionel Ritchie’s “Running With The Night,” Boz Scaggs’ “Breakdown Dead Ahead,” The Tubes’ “Talk to You Later” and Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry.” His appearances at The Baked Potato in L.A. At the end of the ay there was still only one Lukather – and the school he set in motion. Throughout the ’80s they scrounged for Floyd Rose-/EMG-equipped Strats, modified Fender, Marshall and Soldano amplifiers, and a host of exotic effects processors in an effort to corner the mystique. After Luke’s emergence, savvy guitarists everywhere scurried to get a handle on his mojo. Back in the day it was all about tone, technique, time, taste, and touch – and his energy and vibe.
#VALLEY ARTS GUITAR SERIAL NUMBERS TV#
And they still do – you hear it in well-turned licks that drift ubiquitously from TV commercials, pop and rock songs, film scores, and fusion recordings.
Many aspiring players in the studio traded on the sonic cachet Luke established through his landmark outings with Toto, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Chicago, Don Henley, Lionel Ritchie, The Tubes, Cheap Trick, Randy Newman, Stevie Nicks, Boz Scaggs, and others. And by the way, he’s one of the finest guitarists to define the instrument in the modern age. Bottom line: Steve Lukather is an ultimate survivor of trends and tribulations in the music business. Just one of those accomplishments would last most a lifetime, but “Luke” is always looking ahead. A gifted songwriter and arranger, in a career spanning more than 30 years he has garnered acclaim as a Grammy-winning craftsman, prestigious record producer, and A-list session player. An international pop star and a hard-rocking muso. He’s a chops monster – the epitome of taste and understatement.
0 kommentar(er)
