Why Steve Lukather is One of the Most Underrated Guitarists Ever

When people talk about the greatest guitar players of all time, the conversation usually circles around names like Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, or Steve Vai. But one name that deserves far more recognition in that conversation is Steve Lukather.

To most casual listeners, Lukather is simply "the guitarist from Toto." But musicians know the truth: Steve Lukather is one of the most recorded, versatile, and technically complete guitarists to ever pick up the instrument.

The Session Guitar King

Before social media made guitar players famous overnight, Lukather built his reputation the old-school way — by becoming the guy everyone called when they needed a killer guitar track.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, Lukather played on hundreds of albums across nearly every genre imaginable. Pop, rock, jazz fusion, R&B, film soundtracks — he did it all. His playing appeared on records by artists such as Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, and Boz Scaggs.

Most people don't realize Lukather contributed guitar work to Thriller, the best-selling album of all time. That alone should place him in a different category of guitarist history.

His Playing Has Everything

What makes Lukather special is that he can do almost anything on the guitar at an elite level.

He has the technical chops of a shred player, the groove of a session veteran, the phrasing of a blues guitarist, and the melodic instincts of a songwriter. Some players can play fast. Some can write hooks. Some can improvise. Lukather can do all three.

Listen to songs like "Rosanna," "Hold the Line," or "Africa" by Toto and you'll hear tasteful rhythm work, soaring solos, and incredibly polished musicianship that never feels overplayed. That balance is rare.

The Problem With Being Too Good

Ironically, one reason Lukather may be underrated is because he makes difficult things look effortless.

He never relied on gimmicks or outrageous stage antics to get attention. Instead, he focused on serving the song. In an era where flashy guitar heroes dominated magazine covers, Lukather became the musician other musicians respected most.

“There are guitar heroes, and then there are musicians that other elite musicians look up to. Steve Lukather belongs firmly in the second category.”

There's also the fact that Toto became associated with polished radio hits, which caused some rock fans to overlook just how insanely talented the band actually was. But beneath those catchy choruses was a group of world-class studio musicians operating at the highest possible level.

His Tone Deserves More Credit Too

Lukather's tone over the years has been legendary among guitar players. From his heavily processed rack-system sounds in the 1980s to his warmer modern lead tones, he always managed to sound massive without losing clarity.

His signature Music Man guitars, high-gain amps, and fluid phrasing created a sound that was both polished and emotional. Unlike many technical players, Lukather never sounded robotic. Every solo had feel behind it.

That combination of precision and soul is incredibly difficult to achieve.

Still Playing at a High Level Today

What's even more impressive is that Lukather is still touring and playing at an extremely high level decades into his career. While many players become nostalgia acts, Lukather continues to evolve as both a guitarist and performer.

He's also remained brutally honest about the music industry, fame, addiction, and the realities of being a professional musician — which has made him even more respected among longtime fans.

Final Thoughts

Steve Lukather may never get the same mainstream recognition as some of the more flashy guitar icons, but his influence on modern guitar playing is undeniable.

He mastered nearly every aspect of musicianship: technique, tone, songwriting, session work, live performance, and versatility. There are "guitar heroes," and then there are musicians that other elite musicians look up to.

Steve Lukather belongs firmly in the second category.