First off I got the chance to speak to Trevor a definite "chip off the ol' block". When I told him I was getting quotes about his dad from different people in the music business his eyes lit up. He wanted to know who I talked to right away. When I told him who they were & what they were saying he told me " It's so cool so many people respect my dad". Trev (20) sounded just like his dad when he watched over some kids even younger than him at the Ernie Ball booth. He said: "Look at these kids here. They are eager and willing to learn how to play, that's great! Over in Europe & Japan even young kids know who Toto & my dad are. It's great." Here are some of the things that were said about Luke Sr.
Tommy Shaw (Styx, Damn Yankees): "He's the only person who ever scared me doing a solo. He's a guitar players guitar player."
Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees): "He's just a great guitar player what else can I say?"
Fee Waybill (Tubes): "He's great, I love Steve. We've been writing songs together for 25 years. I just missed him in Europe last year in November. We were both playing in the same city in Germany and by the time we got over there they were already gone. He's a funny, funny guy!"
Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC): "He's brilliant!"
Jeff Skunk Baxter (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Session Ace): "One of the greatest guitar players there is! But I'm not going to tell him any more U.F.O. stories!!! He's one of the best people there are too."
Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart): "Luke's great. I love him. He played on my new record and I was really, really glad he did."
David Pack (Ambrosia): "He's a flaming genius!!! I just wish he'd find God and clean up his mouth (laughing). But I don't think he will."
Seymour Duncan (Founder/owner Seymour Duncan Guitar Pickups): "I've known Steve for years and he''s a dear friend. He plays with such fire and inspiration. He's such a great player. You can see it in the way other guitar players watch him play."
Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers): "He has a rare combination of technique and fire. Some guys have technique and no fire. Some have fire but no technique but Luke has both. There is no bullshit in what he plays. He also does one of the best Sammy Davis Jr. impressions there is. Steve becomes black. I'm friends with Bobby Kimball so I've heard the new record and it's frightening!!! It's amazing!!"
Mark Hudson (Writer/Producer/ Performer Hudson Brothers, Aerosmith, Ringo Starr): "He's been a friend for years and a guitar player for longer. When you get the chance to fuse those two together it's magical. At that point it's not work anymore. He's the ONLY guitar player I've never had to produce. I just sit back and he produces himself. Most everyone else overdoes it. But even with that freedom he knows exactly what to do. Plus he's slightly insane. But after all look at me!!!!!!"
Ronnie Montrose: "He's great. He's just a really great guitar player."
George Lynch (Dokken,Lynch Mob): "He's one of those guys who makes my life miserable. Anything I do he does ten times better and he does it so effortlessly."
Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio): "Steve is one of the coolest guys you'll ever meet. It's kinda weird because he's so funny, but he's a badass guitar player. He turns into an animal!!!"
Frank Hannon (Tesla): "I saw him on a video of a Hendrix song, I think "Freedom". I couldn't believe it. It was amazing. I couldn't figure out how he did what he did. Some of the guitar parts on "Rosanna" are amazing to."
Pat Travers: "I first saw him when I was in Amsterdam doing a Hendrix Tribute. I just stood there and watched him and I couldn't believe it! And we've been together ever since. He's a funny, funny guy. He played on my new record and he was great. He's been a house guest of mine."
Bob Kulick (Meat Loaf, Michael Bolton, Producer): "He's one of the greatest guitar players. I have the ultimate respect for him."
Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, Alice Cooper, Giuffria): "He's great. I've worked with him and he's "One take Luke". The problem is if he takes more than one shot at it you don't know which one to pick."
Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple): "Are you fucking kidding me? He's the greatest. He's a funny, funny guy."
Greg Phillinganes (Toto, Eric Clapton): "I hate the man. I can't stand him. He's no fun to be around (kidding). He is a loving, giving and understanding person. He's like a brother to me. Living proof as to what kind of person he is are his kids. They are very loving kids. He's one of the greatest guitar players and persons that there are. I also love his sick sense of humor."
Phil Soussan: "Luke is hypnotizing to watch and to hear, he takes you along with his playing to places that most people never get to walk alone!"
Reggie Boyle, Stevelukather.com, January 2006
