Fans eagerly awaiting the long-rumored posthumous Van Halen project will need to remain patient a little longer. According to Toto guitarist and longtime Van Halen family friend Steve Lukather, the album he is helping develop with Alex Van Halen is still in its earliest phase.
Speaking in a recent interview with Long Island rock station WBAB, Lukather described the highly anticipated project as being “in its fetal stages right now,” emphasizing that there is still plenty of work to be done before fans hear any of the music.
A Tribute To Eddie Van Halen’s Legacy
The upcoming release is expected to feature previously unreleased and unfinished recordings from the Van Halen archives, built around performances recorded by the late Eddie Van Halen before his passing in October 2020.
Lukather has repeatedly stressed that the project is not about creating new Van Halen music from scratch. Instead, the goal is to preserve and honor Eddie’s original performances while helping Alex bring the recordings to completion in a respectful and authentic way.
Not A “Patchwork” Album
One of the biggest questions surrounding the project has been how much of the music already existed before Eddie’s death. Lukather has dismissed suggestions that the album is simply piecing together unfinished ideas, insisting that many of the recordings are fully realized performances by Eddie and Alex.
Earlier this year, he revealed that he was amazed by the quality of the archived material, saying he couldn’t believe some of the songs had never been released. He also clarified that he will not be recording guitar parts for the album, explaining that every guitar performance belongs to Eddie Van Halen and should remain that way.
Alex Van Halen Leading The Project
Alex Van Halen previously confirmed that the recordings originated from sessions intended for what would have been Van Halen’s next studio album. According to the drummer, the drum, guitar, and bass tracks were already recorded before Eddie’s death, leaving only additional production work and vocals to be completed.
Reports have suggested that the team continues to search for the right vocalist while carefully deciding how best to present the material without compromising Eddie’s artistic vision.
No Rush To Release
Although excitement continues to build among Van Halen fans, Lukather made it clear there is no timetable for the album’s release. By describing the project as still being in its infancy, he indicated that Alex is taking a careful, deliberate approach rather than rushing the music to market.
For many fans, that patience may ultimately be reassuring. Rather than assembling a collection of unfinished demos, the project aims to celebrate one of rock’s greatest guitarists by presenting his final recordings with the respect and craftsmanship they deserve.
While no release date has been announced, anticipation remains high for what could become the first new Van Halen music to emerge since Eddie Van Halen’s passing, and perhaps one of the most significant archival rock releases in recent memory.
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