Alex Van Halen and Steve Lukather Collaborate on New Album

In an exciting development for rock music fans, Alex Van Halen has announced that he and Toto’s renowned guitarist Steve Lukather are preparing to work on a new album together. In a recent interview with Iron Maiden’s drummer Nicko McBrain on the Metal Sticks podcast, Van Halen revealed, “I’m getting ready to do this record with Lukather and a couple of other people. It should be exciting.”

Project Details and Speculations

While Van Halen did not delve deeply into the specifics of the upcoming record, he mentioned that Lukather’s role in the project is not yet defined. The legendary drummer expressed a desire to keep the creative process flexible and open-ended, emphasizing the importance of artistic collaboration over rigid contractual obligations.

Unreleased Music and a Tribute to Eddie Van Halen

There is speculation that this new album may include material featuring the late Eddie Van Halen, Alex’s brother and iconic guitarist, who passed away in 2020. In previous interviews, Alex has hinted at the existence of “three or four” albums’ worth of unreleased music that the brothers recorded together. “They will stay there until we figure out how and why and what to do with them,” he shared with Chris Jericho in November 2024.

In early 2025, Alex expressed his intention to enlist Lukather’s help in completing some of this unreleased music, citing their mutual respect and shared history as key factors for the collaboration. “Ed and Steve Lukather were very good friends and they often worked together. There is no one who can do this process with me as well as he can,” he stated.

Lukather’s Role Clarified

Steve Lukather has been clear about his involvement, describing it as more of a co-producer role rather than a guitarist. He firmly declared, “I would not ever play a note of guitar on a Van Halen song,” highlighting his respect for Eddie’s unique style and contribution to the band’s sound. Lukather explained that he has been asked to help Alex sift through a vast collection of unfinished recordings, emphasizing the significance of honoring Eddie’s legacy in this process.

A Shared Vision for Creativity

Both musicians recognize the importance of maintaining a creative and collaborative environment. Van Halen noted, “When you’re in this line of work, it goes beyond a superficial contract. We do it because we like something or we want to do it because it’s creative.” This philosophy indicates a commitment to producing music that resonates with both artists and their audience.

Conclusion

The upcoming collaboration between Alex Van Halen and Steve Lukather promises to be a significant moment for rock music, particularly as it may include the long-awaited release of unreleased tracks that pay tribute to Eddie Van Halen’s incredible legacy. With both artists prioritizing creativity and mutual respect, fans can look forward to an album that honors the past while paving the way for new sounds.

FAQs

Will the new album include music featuring Eddie Van Halen?

There is a possibility that the album may incorporate unreleased music featuring Eddie, as Alex has indicated there is a substantial vault of material recorded by the Van Halen brothers.

What role will Steve Lukather have in the project?

Steve Lukather has described his role as more of a co-producer, assisting Alex in navigating through unfinished recordings rather than playing guitar on the album.

When can fans expect the new album to be released?

As of now, no specific release date has been announced for the album, and details regarding its completion timeline remain unclear.

How many unreleased albums are there from the Van Halen brothers?

Alex Van Halen has mentioned that there are “three or four” albums’ worth of unreleased material in their vault, which they are considering for future projects.