From Guitar World · · 50s
Steve Lukather on guitar rivals
Steve Lukather says hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen nearly made him quit guitar.
In brief
Steve Lukather says hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen nearly made him quit guitar. Steve Lukather nearly quit guitar after hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen's playing styles in 1988. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Steve Lukather's early guitar struggle
Steve Lukather nearly quit guitar after hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen in 1988.
“When I heard those two guys, I was going, 'This is it for me. I have no career. I should consider something else.'”
Allan Holdsworth's influence
Steve Lukather loved Allan Holdsworth's records and called him the perfect style for him.
“I love to put on Allan Holdsworth's records and listen to him rip, because as far as that style goes, he's the guy for me.”
Yngwie Malmsteen's impact
Steve Lukather was shocked by Yngwie Malmsteen's playing on Tony Williams Lifetime album.
“I remember hearing the Tony Williams Lifetime album [Believe It] 10 years ago, and going [yells], 'How the fuck is this guy playing?! What the hell is this?!'”
Steve Lukather's response
Steve Lukather realized he needed to work harder after hearing these guitar players.
“I'd started getting a little overconfident before I'd heard these guys, and then I realized, 'Fuck, man, I suck. I'd better go take a really good look at myself and get back into the woodshed.'”
Toto's 1988 album
Steve Lukather channelled his lessons into Toto's 1988 album The Seventh One.
“The guitarist ended up channeling the results of his woodshedding into Toto's 1988 album, The Seventh One”
What matters most
Steve Lukather nearly quit guitar after hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen's playing styles in 1988.
