Steve Lukather Clarifies Rumors About Van Halen Project Involvement

Following rampant internet speculation about his potential collaboration with Van Halen, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather has taken to social media to clarify his position. The rumors gained traction after Alex Van Halen mentioned in an interview that Lukather would be involved in completing unreleased Van Halen material.

Setting the Record Straight

In a recent Instagram post, Lukather addressed the confusion surrounding his involvement. He emphasized that he will “NOT EVER play a guitar note on a VH song ever!” His strong statement was a direct response to the misinterpretations of Alex Van Halen’s comments.

According to an article in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraf, Alex Van Halen had expressed his desire to recruit Lukather for the project, stating, “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.” However, Lukather clarified that while he has assisted Alex in sorting through unreleased material, he is not contributing new recordings or guitar parts.

Role Clarification

Describing his contribution, Lukather stated, “I am honored to even be asked to help,” but defined his role more as “a co-producer or something.” He elaborated that he has been helping Alex sift through a multitude of unfinished recordings created by him and the late Eddie Van Halen that have yet to be released. “As of now that’s all I got. The fact that ANYONE would think for even a second that I would play anything on this is ridiculous. I have too much love and respect for that and I play nothing like Ed,” he added.

Mutual Respect Between Lukather and Eddie Van Halen

Throughout their careers, Lukather and Eddie Van Halen maintained a profound mutual respect. They collaborated on various projects, including Michael Jackson’s iconic hit “Beat It,” and Lukather’s debut solo album, which featured Eddie on bass. Following Eddie’s passing in 2020, Lukather paid tribute to his friend, praising him as “one of the greatest of all fucking time” who “created a whole orchestra on the instrument.”

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Steve Lukather has plans for 2025, which include a tour with Toto alongside Men at Work and Christopher Cross, set to take place in the summer.

Conclusion

Steve Lukather’s clarification regarding his role in the potential Van Halen project underscores the importance of accurate communication in the music industry. While he is honored to assist Alex Van Halen with unreleased material, he is not stepping into the shoes of Eddie Van Halen. Fans can look forward to Lukather’s upcoming tour with Toto, a testament to his enduring legacy in rock music.

FAQs

What did Alex Van Halen say about Steve Lukather’s involvement?

Alex Van Halen mentioned that he would work with Lukather to complete unreleased Van Halen material, highlighting their friendship and past collaborations.

What is Steve Lukather’s actual role in the Van Halen project?

Lukather clarified that he is helping Alex sort through unreleased recordings but is not playing guitar or recording new material.

What are Steve Lukather’s future plans?

In 2025, Lukather is scheduled to tour with Toto, Men at Work, and Christopher Cross during the summer.

How did Steve Lukather honor Eddie Van Halen after his death?

Lukather shared a heartfelt tribute, praising Eddie as one of the greatest guitarists and acknowledging his immense talent and influence in music.