Steve Lukather's Musical Journey: From Thriller to The Beatles
When it comes to meeting your heroes, the advice to avoid it may not always hold true. While Eddie Van Halen's guitar work on Michael Jackson's Thriller album is widely recognized, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather's contributions to the album are often overlooked. Lukather played guitar and bass on the hit song Beat It, as well as on other tracks like Human Nature and The Girl is Mine. Despite not receiving the credit he deserves for his work on this iconic album, Lukather did get the chance to fulfill a childhood dream by playing a Beatles song with Paul McCartney.
Lukather's involvement in the Thriller recording sessions began with the creation of The Girl Is Mine. He fondly recalls the magical experience of being in the studio with Paul and Linda McCartney, despite the song's lighthearted nature. McCartney took a liking to Lukather and Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro during the sessions, leading to an invitation to contribute to McCartney's 1984 film Give My Regards To Broad Street.
While Lukather and Porcaro were thrilled to work with McCartney, they were initially instructed not to mention The Beatles to him. However, Linda McCartney encouraged Lukather to talk to Paul about the band, leading to a memorable jam session where Lukather played Beatles songs on the Mellotron. The impromptu performance brought everyone in the room together and left a lasting impression on Lukather.
Reflecting on his love for The Beatles, Lukather has credited the band with changing his life. He specifically points to the impact of the album With The Beatles (Meet The Beatles in the US) and the song I Saw Her Standing There, which inspired him to pursue a career in music. The Beatles' music resonated deeply with Lukather and solidified his passion for playing guitar.
In conclusion, meeting your heroes can sometimes lead to unforgettable experiences and opportunities, as seen in Steve Lukather's interactions with Paul McCartney during the Thriller recording sessions. Despite initial restrictions, Lukather's passion for The Beatles ultimately connected him with McCartney and allowed him to share a special musical moment with one of his idols.