Steve Lukather has reiterated his admiration for young players after what he believes to be an AI-generated interview made him look like he was criticising modern guitarists.
Lukather has consistently praised up and coming musicians for their technical ability, and feels there’s “quite a bit of difference” between entry-level players now compared to those starting out when he was growing up.
Speaking to Guitar World, Lukather says, “I read an interview I never did, which was culled by AI from several different articles. The shittiest part was some fucking horrible clickbait thing saying I think all modern guitar players rely too much on technology. I never fucking said that.
“I want people to know that’s not how I feel. Some of the greatest guitar players of all time have come as of late. I’m a fan; I’m not an asshole. When I read that fucking clickbait thing, I was mortified. I have nothing but respect for my fellow guitar players, whatever the level of technique. The competition is staggering – that AI headline was bullshit.”
Asked which young players have particularly caught his eye as of late, he shares, “Tim Henson’s originality is insane. I would never have approached the guitar the way he does in a million years. And I love the fact that women have stepped up. It’s either you’re good at the guitar, or you’re not; sex has nothing to do with it. It’s exciting to see.
“Kids today start out learning Eruption as their first song – the first thing I ever learned how to play was an E chord! There’s quite a bit of difference in the entry-level of being a musician now, as opposed to 1964 when I was a single-digit kid who could play some Beatles songs,” he says.
You can catch Steve Lukather on tour with Toto now – tickets are still available for a number of shows.
The post “Kids today start out learning Eruption as their first song”: Steve Lukather reaffirms his praise for young players after misleading interview “culled by AI” appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.