Message for Lucious

[Phrat]

Lucious, just read your posts on your website about your reception in the US (stevelukather.net - Articles)

Can I add that it is really sad that Toto dont get the respect you deserve in your homeland. I dont think anyone on this forum wouldnt agree that your music and your shows are fantastic! I have always been a fan of yours from your solo albums and session work and am pretty late in the game with Toto but this last year I have been stocking up on the Toto back catalogue and every album is a "why have i not listened to this before moment".

I have seen you twice in the UK in the last year and a bit and both the shows (including the first night of the tour in London) were just amazing...so much energy from a bunch of "older guys", great set lists and just pure magic.

I should also add that my wife, who is a young gal in her twenties ( ) has joined me these last few years on my Toto ride and she absolutley loves you so no one can say your music is past its sell by date cos it certainly isnt.

The music press in the US and especially in the US suck...fact. They are still obsessed with the punk era of the late 70s and just cant get past it and that is why bands that display nothing but poor musicianship and unoriginallity get all the good press (dont they say music journalists are just failed bitter musicians).

Its hard to hear how Toto are treated in the US and totally beyond my understanding but rest assured, it is because they are wrong.

Keep up the fantastic music and the awesome shows and f*ck the US promoters and press who can all go bite themselves cos they all suck!

Phrat

[Psychicpet]

just read them too.....

Lucious, I don't know what to say man but this totally sucks! Maybe just spend a week of a bender in New York, get photos of you getting out of your Bentley with your "snoob"('Mickey Rooney' ) for all the world to see and then freak on some paparazzi and... and .... you know, the good "train wreck" type stuff that gets tons of press.



I really don't know what to say, this really blows, nice and fickle the Payola... err... I mean the Radio/Entertainment scene is hey?

well, I keep the Toto flame alive and kickin' here at the guitar shop!!!


all the best with the upcoming US dates.

pete

[Bungo]

I'm really surprised to read all that. For some reason I was under the impression that a band as successful as Toto would enjoy good audiences in the US? Guess I'm pretty wrong then....

Whilst it must be a pain having take a '14 hour plane trip' to go to work, I hope at least we can continue to make it worth the trip when you get here, and continue to give Toto the support and respect you guys have worked hard for and deserve.

Or perhaps we could come over there en masse for a US show?

Can you get a decent Ruby over there yet???

[Sweat]

Man,

Now I understand why so few US dates and no Texas dates, Lucious it really blows that the US media and radio stations are so stupid. I live in a large metro area and can not find any decent radio stations and it is killing good music and great artists such as yourself, I have been a Toto fan since I was 20 and always will be, falling in between is one of the best recordings I have come across in many years but have never heard it on the radio in Dallas. It is a sad state that real music is dead in my part of the world.

[Psychicpet]

Can you get a decent Ruby over there yet???

Absolutely here in Vancouver you can!

Unfortunatley nothing like the chicken tikka rolls next to Pete's music shop in St.Albans but still many a great Ruby to be had!

[PeteDuBaldo]

I missed the show at Mohegan Sun Casino a year or two back and kicked myself for it (didn't know it was happening). Looks like I might have to go to NYC or fly somewhere to check one out as there are no dates here in Connecticut yet. Would I do that? Yeah, I'd do that

[Beth]

It's sad, but with Americans, it always seems like a popularity contest. Talk about your double standards -- "Home of the free.... as long as you look cool while doing it"

Now, Canadians, on the other hand....

[GWDavis28]

I missed the show at Mohegan Sun Casino a year or two back and kicked myself for it (didn't know it was happening).

Pete, I'm with you man 100% there, if and when they go back there man, I'm there.

Glenn |B)

[roburado]

Man, I'm kicking myself for missing the Muskegon, MI show last year (?). Sault Ste. Marie is maybe a bit too far.

Steely Dan is playing down the street at Freedom Hill in May. It's too bad Toto can't play a venue like that. Maybe, it's just me, but I think there ought to be a lot of crossover between the fans of the two groups.

[SteveB]

Lucious has a band?

[Eilif]

Toto's lack of popularity and press in the USA sucks big time.

Journey can come here and pretty much sell out the arena. Toto recently came out here only because of a gig with the Honolulu Symphony a few years ago. Their last show here before that was the Past to Present tour, and they got booked at a hotel ballroom. Huh??? It's just shameful how underappreciated they are.

And don't even get me started on how Paris Hilton can sell a bunch of records but most people think Toto was just an 80s band that has done nothing since "Pamela".

I'm glad--and very grateful--that they've continued to play shows in Southern California from time to time; otherwise, it would be just about impossible for me to see Toto. I've flown up to CA from Hawaii just to see them in 1999 and in 2006, and I lucked out in that Toto played a show in Anaheim in 2001 just as I happened to be in Irvine visiting with my wife's family.

I'm also very thankful that Toto took the time out from touring to give us Falling In Between. To me, it's a wonderful gift from the band to us.

But I don't blame Luke for feeling the way he does. The situation really sucks, but what can be done? Especially if people here just don't get it?

[robelinda2]

that is just amazing. Toto are a great band, with great tunes, and put on a cool show.

Some people just dont know class.

[jongitarz]

Steve...Always remember, "The masses is asses"

[candid_x]

Steve...Always remember, "The masses is asses"

David Peel's favorite old quote.

[Jim_F]

Just read your comments on stevelukather.net - I would like to add my voice to the other posters in this thread ...

Toto are a great live band ... and when you talk to other guitar players in the rock scene (which I do a lot!) - your name always comes up as one of the greats.

Its a real shame the US doesn't 'get' Toto - but then the music scene is a fickle beast - look at what's selling at the moment ....
all I know there is much love for you and Toto (and melodic rock in general) on this side of the Atlantic, the feedback from your latest Europe tour was deservedly fantastic, with a lot of people really lookin' forward to your solo album.