Toto's fourth studio album (1982), containing Rosanna and Africa. Won six Grammy Awards including Album of the Year.

Steve Lukather: Toto, All-Starr Band & Career

Q: Who is Steve Lukather?

Guitarist and vocalist of Toto, known for Rosanna (1982), Africa (1982), and Hold the Line (1978). One of the most recorded session guitarists in history.

Q: Is Steve Lukather in Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band?

Yes — since 2012, on every subsequent tour including 2026. Performs Rosanna, Africa, and Hold the Line.

Q: What albums has Steve Lukather played on?

An estimated 1,500+ albums including Michael Jackson's Thriller, Off the Wall, and Bad; Paul McCartney's Tug of War; and recordings by Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Diana Ross, Don Henley, and Miles Davis.

Q: What is the Rosanna shuffle?

The distinctive half-time shuffle drumbeat played by Jeff Porcaro on Rosanna (1982), widely studied in drumming circles.

Steve Lukather (born 21 October 1957, San Fernando Valley, California) is the guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of Toto, one of the most commercially successful rock bands of the late 1970s and 1980s. He is also one of the most prolific session guitarists in the history of recorded music, and has been a regular member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band since 2012.

→ Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band: 2026 US Tour

Toto

Toto was formed in Los Angeles in 1977 by a group of session musicians who had worked together on dozens of major albums. The founding members included Lukather (guitar), David Paich (keyboards, vocals), Steve Porcaro (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums), David Hungate (bass), and Bobby Kimball (vocals).

Their most celebrated recordings include:

'Hold the Line' (1978) — Toto's debut single, reaching number 5 in the US.
'Rosanna' (1982) — from Toto IV, reaching number 2 in the US. Celebrated for Jeff Porcaro's distinctive half-time shuffle drumbeat — known in drumming circles as the 'Rosanna shuffle'.
'Africa' (1982) — also from Toto IV, reaching number 1 in the US. One of the most recognisable songs of the 1980s, with a remarkable cultural resurgence in the 2010s and 2020s.

Toto IV (1982) won six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for 'Rosanna'.

Session Work

Lukather is estimated to have appeared on more than 1,500 albums as a session guitarist. Key credits include:

Michael Jackson — Thriller (1982), Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987)
Paul McCartney — Tug of War (1982)
Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Diana Ross, Don Henley, Miles Davis, and hundreds of others

Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band

Steve Lukather joined Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band for the 2012 tour and has returned for every subsequent campaign, making him one of the most frequent All-Starr Band members alongside Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette. His showcase songs have consistently been 'Rosanna', 'Africa', and 'Hold the Line'.

His All-Starr Band appearances on 14 June:

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Avalon Theatre, Niagara Falls – 14 June 2012
The opening show of the 12th All-Starr Band's 2012 North American tour.

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford – 14 June 2014
Show 7 of 46 on the 2014 North American tour.

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles – 14 June 2026
The finale of the 16th All-Starr Band's 12-date 2026 US tour.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Steve Lukather?

Steve Lukather is the guitarist and vocalist of Toto, best known for 'Rosanna' (1982), 'Africa' (1982), and 'Hold the Line' (1978). He is one of the most recorded session guitarists in history, with credits including Michael Jackson's Thriller and Paul McCartney's Tug of War.

Is Steve Lukather in Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band?

Yes — Steve Lukather has been a member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band since 2012, appearing on every subsequent tour including the 2026 US tour. He performs 'Rosanna', 'Africa', and 'Hold the Line' as his showcase songs.

What albums has Steve Lukather played on?

Lukather has appeared on an estimated 1,500+ albums as a session guitarist, including Michael Jackson's Thriller, Off the Wall, and Bad; Paul McCartney's Tug of War; and recordings by Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Diana Ross, Don Henley, and Miles Davis.

What is Toto IV?

Toto IV (1982) is Toto's fourth studio album, containing 'Rosanna' and 'Africa'. It won six Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for 'Rosanna'.

What is the Rosanna shuffle?

The 'Rosanna shuffle' is the distinctive half-time shuffle drumbeat played by Jeff Porcaro on Toto's 'Rosanna' (1982), widely studied in drumming circles and considered one of the most influential drum patterns in pop and rock history.

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