The Gospel According to Luke

Fans of TOTO & STEVE LUKATHER will enjoy reading this book with an honest impression by the author !

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.

“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.

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.

Steve Lukather has done it all in the music business. I not only enjoyed the stories of his life and exploits in music, but realizing what a decent, humble human being he is. A great great read for musicians and non-musicians, alike.

Leggere delle storie di quest uomo mi ha a tratti fatto venire i brividi. Grande storia e professione portata all’estremo