Episode 86: Steve Lynch of Autograph

Steve Lynch is a rock guitarist best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the band Autograph. Renowned for his pioneering two-handed (eight-finger) tapping technique, Lynch's innovative style significantly influenced 1980s rock guitar playing.

Lynch began his musical journey as a bassist in 1968 but switched to guitar in 1970, inspired by the death of his hero, Jimi Hendrix. He graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology in 1979, earning the "Most Likely to Succeed" award. That same year, he published his first instructional book, The Right Touch, focusing on his unique tapping method.

In 1983, Lynch co-founded Autograph, achieving mainstream success with their 1984 debut album Sign In Please, which featured the hit single "Turn Up the Radio." The song reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Lynch the "Guitar Solo of the Year" award from Guitar World magazine. Autograph released two more albums, That's the Stuff(1985) and Loud and Clear (1987), before disbanding in 1989.

Beyond performing, Lynch has been a dedicated educator, conducting over 300 guitar clinics in 20 countries and authoring additional instructional materials, including the video The Two-Handed Guitarist. He also formed the experimental solo project Network 23 in the mid-1990s.

After a hiatus, Lynch reunited Autograph in 2013 with original bassist Randy Rand and new members, releasing new material and touring until 2019. Following Rand's passing in 2022, Lynch secured the rights to the Autograph name, trademark, and logo, allowing him to continue the band's legacy.

In May 2025, Lynch released his autobiography, Confessions of a Rock Guitarist, reflecting on his life, career, and the evolution of the music industry. Looking ahead to the future, Steve has plans for another solo album, plus the re-release of his instructional guitar books, and also looks forward to making the first three Autograph albums available once again on CD and streaming platforms!