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STEVE LUKATHER On EDDIE VAN HALEN Album He Is Working On With ALEX VAN HALEN: ‘It’s In Its Fetal Stages Right Now’
Toto guitarist Steve Lukather has once again discussed his involvement in a new album drawn from unreleased Van Halen recordings, which he is producing alongside drummer Alex Van Halen. Speaking to Long Island radio station 102.3 WBAB, Lukather stressed that the project is intended to honour the legacy of Eddie Van Halen, who died in 2020, rather than serve as a conventional new Van Halen release with a replacement singer or guitarist.
Lukather explained that his role is akin to a co-producer and confidant to Alex, describing himself as a "third ear" rather than a musician on the record, insisting there will be "no Toto fingerprints" and that he will not play guitar, write or sing on the tracks. The material reportedly features live studio performances by Eddie and Alex, with Eddie's bass overdubs added afterwards, and Lukather described some songs as unusually complex, likening them to a heavier, more progressive sound. He said the project remains "in its fetal stages," with vocalists yet to be determined, though he speaks with Alex almost daily and recently had lunch with him to discuss its direction.
In short
- Steve Lukather is co-producing an album of unreleased Van Halen recordings with Alex Van Halen.
- He won't play, write or sing on it, calling himself a "third ear."
- Project is early-stage; vocalists for the tracks haven't been chosen yet.
Explained simply
Eddie Van Halen was the guitarist of Van Halen, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1980s. He died in 2020, bringing the band's active performing era to an end.
His brother Alex was Van Halen's drummer throughout the band's entire existence. Since Eddie's death, Alex has been working on releasing unreleased recordings from the band's archives, with guitarist Steve Lukather, known for his work with rock band Toto, serving as co-producer on the project.
The project aims to preserve Eddie Van Halen's musical legacy through material he recorded before his death. Rather than creating a new version of Van Halen with replacement members, the initiative focuses on honouring Eddie's existing work.