The Gospel According to Luke

“The Gospel According To Luke” is a clever and accurate title because it conveys the truthfulness of this highly informative and entertaining autobiography told in the legendary, guitar-slinging apostle’s “colorful” voice. [Wisely, Steve turned the volume knob on his “colorful” language down from its usual 11 to 4, which gives it more impact.] As Luke points out in the intro., those looking for him to dish out the dirt on anyone but the most deserving will be greatly disappointed. This book makes it clear that Steve’s not the person to embarrass people or reveal much about their personal lives. Of course he’s gonna omit some of the tawdry details to protect the guilty. Kudos to Luke for that. The book is mostly about musicians and music; and who, where, when and how some of the biggest hits of the ‘70s & 80s were made. But it’s also a book of revelations. Thankfully, it isn’t negative or self-loathing, though Steve will definitely take you through the dark and frustrating times of his life and career. The book is conversational in style and definitely true to the author’s “voice.” It’s like eavesdropping on Luke’s warp-speed mind. His ability to recall events is as quick, sharp, accurate and detailed as his playing.The few criticisms of this book mentioned in other reviews are mostly fair (it would also have helped to have chapter titles to convey their content and timeline) but hardly reason enough to mark it down from five stars, or pass on this heartfelt, up close and personal account of one of music’s most gifted and prolific guitarists. Great books, like music and humans (as Steve points out) aren’t always perfect (though TOTO’s music came wonderfully close) it does have to convey something valuable, unique, spiritual and moving. Most autobiographies fail because they lack objectivity, accountability, self-deprecation, balance, fairness and honesty (i.e. a lotta ego-driven posturing and BS). Sure Luke has an ego. YOU CANNOT BE A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMER WITHOUT ONE, PERIOD!!! He does have a cutting wit, and is emotional and sensitive, but Steve is a NO BS zone. THANK GOD! Most great books must first and foremost: entertain and inform, make you laugh (lots in this case), and induce empathy, sadness and loss (too often here). It must bring something unique and important that its reader can reflect upon and learn from well into the future. This autobiography succeeds in the above criterion.Being the author of several books on popular music I know that this subject generally doesn’t appeal to woman. If there’s a romance in these pages it’s mostly between Luke and a piece of wood with six strings – and The Beatles, who have inspired Luke since childhood; and getting to play with three outta four Fabs ain’t too shabby. I read this book on a recent vacation with my wife. She took a bestselling, romance novel (“Loving Frank” as in Lloyd Wright), which she found disappointing. When we were finished reading -- she grabbed Luke’s book. I told her: “You’re probably not gonna like it. It’s about a bunch of balls-to-the walls, crazy ass, LA musicians from the 80s.” But she laughed her ass off every couple of pages and couldn’t put it down. As Steve might say, “WTF do I know?”For those who know Steve and TOTO’s history it’s easy to understand why Luke takes the liberty of dedicating so much space to acknowledge and thank his many musical peers and friends. Yeah it bogs the book down a bit, but WTF, that’s who this guy is. It wasn’t that TOTO was ignored (certainly not by their legion of fans or Top 40 Radio) but they were the whipping dog (NO pun intended) of the music media for decades. Like TOTO, many of the musicians Steve mentions in the book were also the Rodney Dangerfield’s of the music media during the last quarter of the 20th Century. It’s not namedropping. Steve’s merely trying to rectify that injustice by acknowledging and thanking the many musicians who are now recognized as The Wrecking Crew 2.0, who also went largely unrecognized during the 60s & 70s. Luke didn’t become successful because he grew up in the right place at the right time. He could have grown up in the middle of Kansas and would still have ended up where he is today. Such was his drive, passion and focus from an early age to be one of the world’s best guitarists, not to mention an underrated singer and songwriter. Steve worked his ass off for every note of his music, recognition and success. If you don’t believe this cat is a workaholic, study the book’s discography, or search his tour schedule history --- but it came at a price.To those relatively new to the shark-filled waters of the music business there are many important lessons to be learned from these pages. One bit of Gospel truth is when Luke says he doesn’t get paid for performing [that’s the icing on the cake]. He gets paid for the endless months of boring and grueling travel (tour buses, airports etc…), staying in endless hotels and the myriad of headaches associated with touring all for that two hour, highly addictive, adrenalin rush playing live. This is a major reason performers are so vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse. And Luke doesn’t shy away from the tolls of his success including substance abuse, failed marriages and way too many months away from his children. While he regrets this he doesn’t piss and moan about it. He’s made necessary course corrections. He accepts and embraces the life he has chosen and feels more than blessed to still be able to do what he loves, and he’s much healthier and wiser than ever for it.A highly recommended read -- even for women.

I recently watched some videos on Rick Beato's YouTube channel featuring Steve, and I was amazed to hear about his studio work, solo work, and also in Toto. I was amazed at his talent, but what really got my attention was how humble he is, and especially how HILARIOUS he is! I watched some other videos of Steve and heard him mention his autobiography, so I looked it up and purchased the audio book version that he reads himself. It's GREAT to hear him read it because he is SO freaking HILARIOUS in telling some of his stories. Whether you like his music or not (how could you NOT like his music since he's played on THOUSANDS of songs!?!), you will absolutely LOVE listening to him read out his life story. Funny as HELL, and yes, a very humble, kind soul with incredible talent and an incredible life in music. I loved this so much I gifted it to another friend of mine and HIGHLY recommend it to everyone for a musical history lesson and MANY belly-laugh-out-louds!I also was VERY grateful that he has a separate .pdf download of all the photos he included in the print version of his autobiography. I love seeing those photos, and wish other audio book biographies/autobiographies would do the same.

Written with heart and sense of peace. Incredible musician but I think under rated singer as well. Love the tie in with other musicians and family. Good easy read.

If there was a 10 star rating I would have given Steve Lukather’s book that. I loved it! The only negative thing about it was that I read it too damn fast!I think this book really brings out Luke’s true colors and why he is the way he is. To me he seems like a very humble, passionate and loyal to the heart good guy. Great sense of humor to top it off as there are plenty of laughs, but also the tragedies he endured throughout his life.In my opinion I really liked his language and writing style all through the book. It was genuine, the way he would talk normally and honestly. He didn’t include a bunch of “F” bombs in every sentence like some people or shows do just because they can.I read other comments about this book, like not including more, or enough details about all of the musicians he has played with or done tracks on etc., etc. Give him a break man WTF? Luke mentioned several times that he could not fit all of that into a single book or it would have been like 2000 plus pages! He even hinted on following up with another book that would include more details into that. This would be fantastic! I hope he does write another, as I will certainly buy it.In my humble opinion, Steve Lukather is a legend and I am not just saying that as a “fan boy” or “that guy.” When you look at who and how many musicians included him in their music, it is stunning! This man has, in my opinion, had an influence on almost all of the music we heard from the late 70’s to now, I mean quality music. Check this out at the back of his book man! The “partial list” of his contributions are over 1,000 gigs! If he was anything but brilliance with his talent and personality, do you think all of these world-renowned top musicians & artists would seek him out and keep on inviting him back time and time again? F… the haters!I also love Luke’s continued message that we need to get music back into the public school system!!! This can change kid’s lives for the better, I know it did for me as I’m about the same age as Steve.You will not be disappointed buying this book, I guarantee it! I am a musician being a drummer and have read many of the books put out by a lot of artists. In my opinion Luke’s book is at the top of the list. A must read for any musician, Toto fan, or anyone who enjoys a good read. This is and will be a classic! Luke is one person I would love to meet, just to shake his hand and thank him for all the inspiration, dedication and most importantly all his contributions to the music world.

This book was an entertaining read. From recording stories, tales from the tours and Lukes personal observances on the unique creative genius of artists…. It was an honor and privilege to consume it. Well done, sir

Para os fãs de Steve Lukather e músicos em geral, esse livro é muito interessante pois coloca o leitor na trajetória de carreira de um dos melhores músicos de todos os tempos.

Tolles Buch! In der Art geschrieben, wie Luke auch spricht. Sehr cool. Toller Einblick in ein außergewöhnliches Musikerleben. Selbst eingefleischte Toto-Fans erfahren hier Neues! Sehr zu empfehlen.

Great book for music lovers of the past few decades. J'adore apprendre certaines infos sur Lukather, d'autres artistes et musiciens, et bien sûr des instants de vie et anecdotes avec les joies et les peines de ce groupe de légende qu'est TOTO.

La diretta testimonianza della vita di una leggenda . Un viaggio pieno di racconti ed aneddoti lungo 60 anni.E' in inglese ,ma di facile comprensione e con un buon ritmo di lettura.Consigliatissimo agli amanti del genere music bio.

This is an amazing biography of the guitarist, founding member of Toto. Steve Lukather was a session musician before starting Toto.The stories in this book are funny, insightful and amazing, the people he has met, tours he has played on. Albums he has played on. He met and married Marie Currie the twin sister to Cherrie Currie the lead singer of The Runaways.This book is an amazing read if you like to read about the history of California rock and roll of the 80's 90's and more.