Lukather and Poppa Saturday Night

[Junior]

Thank you!!! Same to you and every one else!

 

[threeminutesboy]

total respect to the man and the artist !

Luke we love you !

My question is : You said once that you have many thing to say about your many recording sessions.

- Can you reveal here one of your session secret ?

Thanks again for all and keep on rockin' !!!

 

[Big Poppa]

Dear Mr Lukather,

Since your potent aroma wafted through the portals of my schnozz, I have noticed that my attraction to the opposite sex has been somewhat on the wane. Now this is bad news, especially for my wife, but the upside is that I have also discovered that I can play most of the Tubes songs backwards on the sousaphone.

Have you ever heard of this before?

Hey, you fine-smellin' old hack, who loves you?

Jack

You're not the first person to say that. I certainly hope you're playing the sousaphone with the right orifice.

 

[Big Poppa]

As I await my radiance red LUKE!!! -----the burning question in my mind is will this guitar make me a better bowler?? Or would I have to be in Japan to experience such a transformation. Also will there be a TOTO Japanese bowling extravaganza on this tour???? Thanx. Have a great rest of the tour. !!!!!!!

bowling for beer and sake is mandatory for EVERY japanese tour. With your radiance red Luke, certain body parts may appear bigger than they are.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hi Steve and Bp,
I had your SL1010SP did u have a hand in the creation of that Guitar and if u did why did you choose NOT to use ebony on the board of the EB/MM luke ,was it a tone thing or was it just a sales feature for Ib**ez to have the ebony board, And also Who did the Arrangment on Africa?And just wanted to add the Guitar Parts in HOLD THE LINE made me want to Play Guitar still one of my Favorite TOTO toonz , hold the linee ..........doo doo doo doo

To be honest my experience with Ibanez was so long ago that I don't even consider it an experience. They built me one (1) guitar that was supposed to be my signature model, and then they put my name on another guitar and put it out. not really the experience i was looking for.

As for the arrangements, we produce and arrange all of our own records. Many thanks for the kind words.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey Steve, just wanted to say that I like your playing and tone a lot, which is why I also bought a wonderful EBMM Luke . My question is, wether you are planning at some point in the future to create another more instrumental solo record along the lines of Candyman? Oh, and I'm looking forward to seeing you play with Toto at BB Kings in NYC!

I was thinking about it, but I don't think I'd be able to get around to it for a couple years.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hell-o LUKE!!!

I'm Your biggest fan in POLAND Your sound is amazing - the same on live and in the albums... I dream about that sound But... why You dont arrive to POLAND ? We are waiting for TOTO !!! Last time You were great in Congress Hall, but we wont more !!!

GOOOOD LUCK LUKE !!!
Thanks for Your music and amazing sound! And sorry for my english

either later in the year, or the beginning of next year, we will be hitting Poland.

 

[Big Poppa]

Lucious-you bad mofo!
Any plans (or have you given any (sober) thought) to doing a live duo thing (along the lines of your Carlton/Luke DVD) but with EVH? That'd be cool.
PS-I saw Toto here in Canada recently and Simon Phillips rocks! (You're pretty good, too )
JJ

that is not in the cards at this moment.

 

[Big Poppa]

Steve,

When you and the Biff Baby All Stars get together how much of what guys like Albert Lee and Steve Morse are playing inspires you to stretch your technique? Do you take things that those cats are doing and incorporate them into your own playing?

I noticed that when I invite a friend of mine up to jam with us, I'm always excited to see how other guitarists approach the instrument. Almost always I will try in use some aspect of there playing to improve my own. Once in a blue moon we end up getting one of those "Check out what I can do" clowns but it seems even the the casual members of the crowd realize who is complimenting the jam and those who are just pulling an Yngwie.

Thanks for the inspiration,


Rich
PugNinjas

first off, pugninja, i am a proud owner of a pug myself. She is a lovely little pugdog named Swink. (as in s + wink)

I really do sort of morph into who i'm playing with, you can't help but be influenced by greatness. These guys are the best and we always have a great time playing because we're so different; but yet know how to complement each other and not step on each others toes. I can't help but walk away without being a better player after these gigs.

signed, Yngwie. hahahahaahh/

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey there, Luke,

Wondering if you could sort of COMPARE and CONTRAST being part of TOTO in your 20's vs. in your 40's? Things like touring, composing, recording, being around the guys, etc.

Enjoyed hanging at the Open House. Thanks for being so generous with your time that weekend.

actually nothing's changed except i'm a little older (and hopefully a little smarter.) We haven't really changed the way we work, except for changes in technology. We still play live in the studio and write all our songs together. Touring is the main source of income for bands our age, because radio and record sales are based around teenagers. We budgeet ourselves accordingly so we can always make money.

Humor keeps us from killing each other. And there's always lots of humor.

 

[Big Poppa]

How do you approach songwriting? Do you have a method, or does it vary with each song? For instance, do you try to write catchy hooks and then work them into a musical context, or do you write chord progressions first, or start with a melody?

I have no particular way of doing things, depends on the mood. Sometimes i'll sit at the piano and write a piano, or if i'm with some other guys we'll write something based a little more on riffage. There's no real method to the madness.

 

[Big Poppa]

Luke,

First off, a simple "thank you" for having lunch and meeting/hangin with us knuckleheads at the Firestone before the Open House bash. A LUKE model is next on the list for balls I need to hold (can I say that?). The only thing I am torn on is the color - Radiance Red, Black, or both?

My first question is how did you come up with that wickedly awesome "V" profile on your guitar? I frikkin love it, super comfortable - just fits right in the palm of your hand, making it easy for both chording and leadwork.

My last, and most important question for you is where can I get one of those red "screw" shirts like you wore at the Open House?


Thanks a bunch, you're the bestest

Pete



PS, you are always welcome at any of our MillerVan events!
www.millervan.com in case Sterling is at a loss for words.

It's nice to have met you too, Pete. Also great to meet everybody.

Gotta give credit for the neck to Dudley. He knew exactly what I needed and gave it to me, with no corrections needed. As for the color, that's a personal taste. I like 'em all.

the t-shirt: my wife buys all my clothes. It's a Screw Magazine shirt, perhaps you should google them and see if they have any swag for sale.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hi Steve,

I've been a big Luke fan since the first Toto album as well as many of your 'hired gun' solo's. I just really enjoy your tone and feel - ok enough smoke up your...

How about taking us through the evolution of your rigs from the old days with Toto to today's rigs as well as some of your 'smaller gig rigs.'

I find it interesting that through it all you essentially remain very true to your signature tones - yet I'm sure your equipment has changed drastically through the years, fads and venues....

Thanks,

Al

hard question to answer, started out very simple with marshalls and fenders, leaving efx up to the engineer in the studio. Then I got into the stompbox pedalboard in the late 70's. Then my friend Mike Landau and Buzzy Feiten introduced me to a guy named Bobby Bradshaw and of course I had to have ALL of it and DID, and that sound defined the mid-80's which producers asked for by name and now I don't use very much very more, it was a phase that I am no longer in. I like to keep it simple. I do use a little bit of efx, but nothing like the days of overprocessed cheese.

 

[Big Poppa]

Steve-

Thanks so much for everything throughout the years. After going through the discography on your site, I realized that about 1/3 of my CD's have Luke somewhere on them. I thought I liked obscure stuff! LOL

I was going to ask about the solo break for "I Love L.A.", but we seem to have covered that in this thread.
Your thumbs up/down there would be appreciated, if you have the time.

I'm not sure if you're a hockey fan or not, but several NHL teams/stadiums play "Hold The Line" when the home team goes on the penalty kill. It's nice to get a little Luke mixed in with my hockey.


I've got an idea: How about you ask us a question?

I Love LA was a long time ago, but I'm a huge Randy Newman fan and was honored to be there. I Love LA is not a love song for LA, if you listen to the lyrics it's very sarcastic, but as far as the solo goes I just played a couple and they liked one and they asked me to double it. I did, and it went very quickly.

I am a hockey fan, have hockey player friends, I did not know about this though. That's kind of cool.

my question is: are you naked?

 

[Big Poppa]

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

It was an awesome hang getting to meet you at the EBOH, thanks for taking the time to chat with us all.

Question: Waaaaay back when, you did a video for Hot Licks and you had a pretty elaborate (Bradshaw?) rig back then. After that, at some point, you transitioned to Rivera and since had a falling out with them.

Care to elaborate on the transition from your Bradshaw rig to your Rivera setups to current? I know you helped develop the "sub" for Rivera (we talked about it briefly after the round table at the Open House) but I'd love to know more about it (how it came about, etc).

Thanks Luke!

I just sort of leave that in the past where it belongs, I'm very happy with my Bradshaw equipment and I'd like to just leave it at that.

 

[Big Poppa]

Luke,


Would it be possible for you to curse profusely at my guitar if you happen to be at the factory when it is in production?

But for a real question: Would you consider doing a solo small-venue (club type) mini tour in the NE region sometime? (Well after your Asia, US, Europe, US stint so I don't appear too demanding)

I'd be happy to swear at your guitar.

As for a solo mini-tour, doubtful. But, there may be a surprise little tour with a lot of special friends that may be announced later in the year.

 

[Big Poppa]

Luke, what SINGLE thing was the defining factor to be with Ernie Ball?

Sterling. Sterling and Dudley.

 

[Kevan]

I Love LA was a long time ago, but I'm a huge Randy Newman fan and was honored to be there. I Love LA is not a love song for LA, if you listen to the lyrics it's very sarcastic, but as far as the solo goes I just played a couple and they liked one and they asked me to double it. I did, and it went very quickly.

I am a hockey fan, have hockey player friends, I did not know about this though. That's kind of cool.

my question is: are you naked?

THANKS STEVE!

To answer your question: Almost. I'm here at the computer hitting 'reload' every 2 minutes...in my sunday undies! No shirt either!

It's good to be the king!
Thanks again!

P.S.- I *absolutely* get the sarcasm. I went to HS with Randy's son, so I'm good with sarcasm. LOL

 

[Big Poppa]

Maybe that could be the one!!!
The Luke and the Al are the EBMMs I haven't had the opportunity to try yet!

surgically remove your wallet and get one hahaahahahah.

 

[Big Poppa]

First I just want say Thanks for hanging with us and playing at the open house. Does playing guitar come naturally or did you have to work hard at it? What is your practice regiment? What inspires you to play the way you do? How did you and BP meet?

I've been playing guitar since i was 7, so i don't have any memories of NOT playing guitar, so i suppose it came pretty naturally. But it's always a work in progress.

Biff and I met through our mutual friend Jay Graydon 20-some odd years ago. Kindred spirits indeed. hahaha.