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Q&A With Session Guitarist Steve Lukather
STUDIO SESSION WORK
Q&A WITH GUITARIST STEVE LUKATHER
Copyright Bobby Borg 2003, 2008
On the topic of sessions, you can’t ask for a better musician to interview than guitarist Steve Lukather. Recording approximately 700 records over the last 22 years, Steve has worked with “everyone who is anyone” such as: Miles Davis, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson—not forgetting his work as a member of the multi-platinum rock group, Toto. Here’s what Steve had to say about his experiences in the studio:
Steve Lukather: It’s hard to break in. I was in the right place at the right time. I had lots of friends that put themselves on the line for me and I showed up and did a decent job. You need to have a good sound, be chameleon-like, and be able to fit right in. Your personality has a lot to do with it too. I’ve seen great players come in with an attitude and people are like, “lose this cat.”
Q: What accounts for having long- term success?
S.L: Word of mouth is the only way to do it. If you play on a hit record or play a solo that sticks out, people will ask, “who is that guy?” When I joined the group Toto, our reputation as a band led to producers hiring two or three of us at one time. We sounded like a band full of young guys instead of a bunch of old session guys. You begin to form relationships with producers that will hire you on everything they do over a period of time. I did everything that Quincy Jones recorded between 1981 and 1985.
Q: Do you read music?
S.L: Yes, you have to have some knowledge about what’s happening unless they hire you for your particular style, and that’s more of a specialist thing. That doesn’t happen that much in the session “scene.”
Q: So, is there room for creativity or is someone telling you what to play?
S.L: A good producer has an idea of what he wants, but your interpretation is important.
Q: How about equipment?
S.L: All you need is a guitar, an amp, and a couple of stomp boxes to offer some variety to the sound. I use a studio rental company that sets up all of my stuff and maintains my guitars.
Q: Are you Union affiliated?
S.L: I was a member and it turned out to be the biggest waste of money. I mean, I guess it was helpful earlier in my career because the union goes after any employer that doesn’t pay you. The people I work with now are not going to screw me and I don't really have to worry about their pension fund either; I've done pretty well for myself. Note: readers should know not that current union members include: Metallica, Alanis Morissette, Quincy Jones, Melissa Etheridge, Kenny G., Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Stevie Nicks, Axl Rose, and many more.
Q: Is it difficult for a session player to make the transition into being an artist?
S.L: If you’re a good singer or a good instrumentalist, and you write good songs, then you could probably be a good artist. The advantage is that you make enough connections if your in the studio scene long enough that people will give you the time of day. I was lucky because I’ve done it all. Now I’m making the step towards producing albums and other stuff, because after awhile you hit a brick wall—you can only be the number one session cat for so long.
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