To Luke...

[Tomulator]

I just read the interview you did with Andrew and I want to say that I TOTALLY get what you are saying about all the "competition" BS that flows around here...you know "Luke is better than Neal"..."Neal rules, Luke blows", etc.

I want to confess that I have been in the center of a few exchanges where I defended you and your talent against Neal's and others. I did so because you are my personal FAVORITE guitarist in the world and let emotions get the better of me. But, I hope I never dissed Neal Schon's playing...I dig his playing SO MUCH it's not even funny! He is a MONSTER and a huge influence on my own playing...just as you are!

The point of all this is, your statements really got me to thinking...you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT in saying that music is NOT a competition...it's frickin' ART! No winners...no losers...just gloriously DIFFERENT artists! Respect all. Amen to that.

Luke, I want to THANK YOU for all the times your (and Toto's) music has literally made the "hairs on the back of my neck" stand straight up! I love your music. If it's the end of the road for the band...I am so glad I caught you guys live on this last tour...thanks for playing Cincinnati on 4th of July a couple years ago. I was there and I will never forget it.

Peace and PLEASE keep playing for us!

[hydraturnback]

Hi All,

Totally dig what was said above.

Another great interview from Andrew and Luke, as always, excellent value.

One thing that did get me thinking though - the comment about looking around the stage and looking at all the cats on there. Is it TOTO anymore??
That is a very good comment.

My personal view is that Luke has become the heart of the band - and he is a born leader in that respect. He is THE one that has never ever missed a gig.

Toto have always been about change though. Even with all the lead singers that have come and gone, changes in the band is almost a given for TOTO. The one thing that has remained however is the heart and soul of the band. Even when the likes of Phillinganes and Sklar have stepped in to play, it is STILL TOTO. The vibe is there, the soul is there... is that because of LUKE?? I actually think so...

But overall (for me) there will never ever be another band like TOTO. A truly misunderstood great. It will be a devastating day should they ever call it a day.

Just my 2 cents...

hydraturnback...

[Tomulator]

Totally agree.

I love that band...regardles of their name!

I just wish they could do something with Mike and Dave again (and Steve P.) before they call it quits...like a farewell concert or something...with a ton of their favorite musician / friends making cameos and sitting in. Putting it out on DVD would also be way cool.

[WalrusOct9]

One thing that did get me thinking though - the comment about looking around the stage and looking at all the cats on there. Is it TOTO anymore??
That is a very good comment.

Yeah, I've thought that too, especially at the Chicago show last summer with Sklar. I mean, it was awesome...you're not going to find 4 more ridiculous instrumentalists on the same stage anywhere else, but when they go to "Isolation," I was like, wow...only one guy on stage actually had anything to do with that record. Still was an amazing gig, and I mean...i'd never even heard of Toto before 2002 or so, so any chance to see Luke wail and hear those songs is worth it to me, but I do kind of agree with Luke on this point.

I'm kind of sad they appear to be hanging it up though...I can't see them getting back together in a few years when Bobby is 64 or 65 or something. And it took them 7 years to get around to writing Falling In Between so god knows how long it would take for them to do another record. Although FiB really convinced me they have a lot of good music left in them, so hopefully they aren't quite done yet.

[hydraturnback]

I'm kind of sad they appear to be hanging it up though...I can't see them getting back together in a few years when Bobby is 64 or 65 or something. And it took them 7 years to get around to writing Falling In Between so god knows how long it would take for them to do another record. Although FiB really convinced me they have a lot of good music left in them, so hopefully they aren't quite done yet.

Good point - however I wouldn't be surprised if there is still another version of TOTO to come. I mean what if Bobby wants to hang up the microphone??? Would Fergie or Joe Williams come back to the fold. Would the band as a whole decide to pack it in?? I mean, they have had quite a bit of success lately - maybe they would make a decision to carry on, just in another form... The years have proven that TOTO is all about change - isn't it?

[Brett]

Well Bobby is a very young 60! To me he is looking and sounding better than ever, so I think there's a bit of life in there yet. I saw Tony Bennett performing on a chat show the other day and he's well into his 70s. Not quite the same style as Bobby obviously (!) but you take my point...

[Tomulator]

Think Luke actually is reading any of this??

That would be wild.

Has he ever posted on here?

If he did...I would be "typeless"...I would be "without type"!

[hydraturnback]

Haha!! That would be pretty wild...

Typeless I would be too....

I hope he does read here... I have been to 4 TOTO shows - 3 in the UK and 1 here in Oz in 2006.
Never got to meet the cat...hoping to put that right next month in Melbourne...Hahaha!!!

I am going to wait outside for as long as it takes this time.... LOL!!!

One thing that always kind of gets me thinking though...why is it that TOTO have had such a hard time from people.. ??
You cant help think that in another life they would be widely recognized as a MAJOR force in popular music..
It seems that only fans "totally" get what is so good about the band.. You can blame the record companies, the management - I dont know. It is crazy!!

There is no doubt that they are legends - but they should be legends to a much higher scale...
Just my thoughts... I am rambling now....

regards
hydra

[WalrusOct9]

I've met Luke twice....as much as he may come off a certain way in his internet rants, he's one of the coolest musicians you'll ever meet. While he always seems to point out in interviews how much the press and public doesn't like his band, he's always incredibly cool and gracious to the people who actually DO love his band....who are the only people that matter anyway.

[hydraturnback]

..I can't wait...

The gig on March 7th in Melbourne promises to be one HELL of a night... let's just say that I think I might be meeting my heroes in the flesh....!!!!

I totally understand why Luke would be pissed off at reviewers and the press....30 years of bagging the shit out of this great band can only make you annoyed and hurt... The worst thing is that there is SO much crap around anyway...the cheek to bag TOTO?? Doesn't make sense..

30 million fucking records on and they are still here....

But you are right - I have only heard really good things about Luke when he meets TOTO fans...

I am counting the days until the 7th now....

regards
hydra