Steve Lukather explains his involvement in the upcoming Van Halen release – 96.3 KKLZ
Steve Lukather recently took to social media to address rumors surrounding his involvement in an upcoming Van Halen release. Through an Instagram post, the Toto guitarist clarified that he would not be playing any guitar notes on a Van Halen song, despite reports suggesting otherwise. Lukather explained that Alex Van Halen had asked him to assist in reviewing unfinished recordings of the late Eddie Van Halen and himself. He emphasized that his role would be more of a co-producer rather than a guitar player, expressing his respect for Eddie’s unique style and the honor of being asked to participate in the project.
The initial reports of a new Van Halen album came from a Dutch outlet, De Telegraf, where Alex Van Halen mentioned ongoing work on a new record. He also revealed that Steve Lukather, a close friend of Eddie Van Halen, was involved in the project. Lukather confirmed the collaboration by stating that he had indeed worked closely with Ed and Alex in the past. While details about the album remain scarce, this news has raised questions about the potential contents of the so-called 5150 vault, rumored to contain unreleased music from the band.
In a podcast appearance last year, Alex Van Halen hinted at the existence of multiple unreleased records in the 5150 vault, possibly including material that fans have not heard before. He explained that revisiting old recordings often uncovers hidden gems that may have been overlooked during the initial creative process. This revelation piqued the curiosity of Van Halen enthusiasts, especially following the release of “Unfinished,” an instrumental track featured in Alex Van Halen’s memoir audiobook.
“Unfinished” served as the final collaboration between Eddie and Alex before Eddie’s passing in 2020. The song provided a glimpse into the musical genius of the Van Halen brothers and left fans eager for more unreleased material from the band. As speculation grows about the contents of the 5150 vault and the possibility of a new album featuring Steve Lukather’s contributions, the legacy of Van Halen continues to captivate and inspire music lovers around the world.
In conclusion, Steve Lukather’s clarification regarding his role in the new Van Halen release sheds light on the collaborative efforts underway between him, Alex Van Halen, and the late Eddie Van Halen. While details about the project are still emerging, the involvement of Lukather and the potential contents of the 5150 vault have generated excitement among fans of the iconic rock band. As the music industry eagerly anticipates further developments, the legacy of Van Halen remains a testament to the enduring influence of their innovative sound and unparalleled musicianship.