The Gospel According to Luke

By: Steve Lukather

Narrated by: Steve Lukather

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The outrageous and often hilarious autobiography of legendary session musician and lead guitarist and singer of Toto.

No one explodes one of the longest held misconceptions of music history better than Steve Lukather and his band Toto. The dominant sound of the late ‘70s and ‘80s was not punk, but a slick, polished amalgam of rock and R&B first staked out on Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees. That album was shaped in large part by the founding members of Toto, who were emerging as the most in-demand elite session crew in LA, and further developed on the band’s self-titled multiplatinum debut. A string of massive hits followed for Toto while Lukather and bandmates David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, and Steve Porcaro also served as creative linchpins on some of the most successful and influential records of the era, including Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

In this incisive memoir, Lukather tells the complete Toto story. He also lifts the lid on what went on behind the closed studio doors, shedding light on the unique creative processes of some of the most legendary names in music: from Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, and Elton John to Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Roger Waters, and Aretha Franklin. Lukather’s extraordinary tale also encompasses the dark side of stardom and the American dream. Frank, engaging, and often hilarious, The Gospel According to Luke is no ordinary rock memoir. It is the real thing.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Steve Lukather (P)2018 Audible Studios

...even more, now.

I love him even more, now. A true living legend and inspiration. Thank you, Luke.

Great autobiography for musicians or fans.

I don't listen to Toto but can appreciate all the famous people he's played with. He's a very cool guy and he led an amazing life. It's really amusing how he just casually mentions all the famous people he's known most of his life.

Great Book, Loved It!

This is my first Audible review. I loved this audio book. I am about the same age as Luke, and I related to his watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, and early garage bands. We learned to play Gloria and House of the Rising Sun around the same time. Hendrix, Zeppelin and Cream affected him the same way as me so I enjoyed the childhood parts. What made this book exceptional was that it was read by the author. If read by someone else it would not be NEAR as interesting. Good call, Steve.

The profanity was sparse but he warns us in advance. The book does not center on drugs and sex, although the few examples are entertaining (George Clooney driving him in a convertible when he is in the back seat with a girl). He is honest about his limitations and the bad decisions, which I can also relate to.

Mostly the book is about the music. I loved the parts about him playing with Paul and Linda McCartney, Elton John, and Miles Davis. I loved all of the descriptions of recording, but those were memorable. The Michael Jackson Thriller album was interesting, and the Jacksons recording later.

One of the things I loved about this book was going back and listening to the songs after he described the recording sessions. “Won’t Hold You Back” is amazing, and the pace of the song is so slow, it is restrained and beautiful. The solo is one of my all-time favorites. Some of the best soloes start slow and melodic, saving the flash for the end.

Luke strikes me as having enough ego to get the job done, but not so much as to be as asshole. He is a family man, hurt by the loss of so many band mates, but still pressing on. One thing about the book is that I really want to know more about Paich, he is amazing but probably not the kind of guy to write a book.

Humor, yes it is there, but that’s not the main focus. The only time I actually laughed out loud was the New Orleans gig, with the Kimonos and the Key-tar, OMG this should have been in the Spinal Tap movie, and it happened before that movie was made! What made it funny was that all the record company execs were there, and that Toto was on the bill with Weather Report, consummate professionals.

I loved the book and recommend it to any fan or guitar player who remembers the 70’s or 80’s. Just so you know I’m not a relative or paid reviewer, I’ll give my criticisms now. The author used the word “myself” about 20 times, and each time it was grammatically wrong and should have been Me or I. I’m not a grammar Nazi but I cringed a little each time. I’m sure that his publisher or editor pointed this out, and he probably said “Eff it, that’s the way I talk and it’s MY book”, so it’s all good.

I think one thing that changed his life and elevated him to stardom was having the discipline to learn to read music, which I never did. I’m very curious about how much money he made from sessions versus touring, versus residuals from writing, but that’s none of my business (but I’m still curious). How much for playing on Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical”? “Thriller”? I have to also mention it was amazing that he played with Steely Dan for “one second”. OK. In summary I loved this, and wish Paich would do a book, and someone would do a book about the Porcaro brothers.

Like having coffee with the author (or bourbon)

I've loved Toto from their early stuff but truly had no idea about just how in demand they all are/were. As individuals, they are some of the top musicians in their field and listening to "Luke" talk about it all was a blast. Hearing his stories about the band that was all behind the scenes to ordinary fans was quite telling. Makes a lot of sense to me now when I think of the things I heard back in high school. I'll absolutely listen to this book again. I felt like Luke was a friend by the end of it. And I really liked how he added off the cuff comments that aren't in the written book. Thank you Steve Lukather for this educational, fun, sad, and wonderful trip into your experiences as a musician and as the real front man to one of the greatest bands ever.

Great stories!!!

Great Stories of the life of a true guitar hero. Loved the narration as no one can bring to life what happened but Luke. Looking forward to your second book!

Not just a read...a hang with him.

Good overview. Covered most periods.
Good the bad and ugly.
Felt like I ran into him at a club and got into a conversation (a tad one sided for sure but...)
Didn’t notice any verbal equivalent of auto-tune.
Down to earth guy. Wasn’t afraid to acknowledge the hurts.
Can’t imagine what the read would be like, without his weathered voice given his vernacular. Get the audible if u r contemplating. Don’t contemplate, just get it.

Fantastic!

Steve Lukather has led such an incredible life. It was so interesting to hear his stories from the session years. He did had some crazy moments but it made him who he is today. These days he's still tearing it up touring with Toto. Grab this book and hang on for the ride!

this has been my favorite book based on a musician

this is the best book I have listened to on Audible. I think it is perfect that Steve narrates the story and he is extremely engaging.

Outstanding! Fantastic storytelling!

Great tales from an unsung hero of rock history. Very honest and heartfelt. Great to have an author read in his own words.

Luke Lays It All Out - Inside The Music & Biz

"Don't ask me how I know that..." Luke says at one point. He knows because he was THERE. At legendary gigs, recording sessions, Hollywood parties and more than a few catastrophes.

In a self-effacing and heartfelt review of his life and career, Steve Lukather tells how he came to play on an astonishing number of hit records, became a member of Toto, and finally triumphed over his biggest challenges. Steve calls himself out for his excesses and shares how he navigated, sometimes barely, his most trying times.

At the end Luke hints maybe he should write a second book. I hope he's already started on it.