# Steve Lukather on guitar rivals

> Steve Lukather says hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen nearly made him quit guitar.
- Title: Steve Lukather on guitar rivals · Guitar World | Shortify
- Summary: Steve Lukather says hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen nearly made him quit guitar. Steve Lukather nearly quit guitar after hearing Allan…
- Keywords: steve lukather, allan holdsworth, yngwie malmsteen, guitar, toto, the seventh one, Steve, Lukather, rivals, Guitar World
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/steve-lukather-on-the-two-players-that-nearly-made-him-quit-guitar
- Published: 2026-10-22T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: steve lukather, allan holdsworth, yngwie malmsteen, guitar, toto, the seventh one
## 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
## Key takeaway

Steve Lukather nearly quit guitar after hearing Allan Holdsworth and Yngwie Malmsteen's playing styles in 1988.