Alex Van Halen has recently revealed details about his first new music project with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather after selling off all of his musical gear. The announcement quickly sparked fan speculation about whether the collaboration will feature a vocalist, a discussion that gained traction after music journalist Mitch Lafon weighed in on X.
Van Halen outlined both the upcoming project and his long-standing relationship with Lukather when speaking about the collaboration. “I’m getting ready to do this record with Steve Lukather and a couple other people, it should be exciting,” Alex Van Halen said. “We have a long history together. He sang on a couple of records with us.”
Following the announcement, Lafon questioned the direction of the project on social media, specifically raising concerns about the possibility of an instrumental-only album.
“If the Alex Van Halen and Steve Lukather album is all instrumental. I’m out,” Lafon wrote. “Would you still be interested if there are no singers involved?”
The post sparked a lively debate among Van Halen fans, many of whom shared ideas about who could potentially handle vocals. One fan responded, “Probably not. I’d like a singer to really highlight the melodies. If not different singers, then one with a strong voice. A Jeff Scott Soto or Myles Kennedy type.”
Another fan pointed to the challenges of selecting a suitable singer, citing David Lee Roth’s current limitations and the unlikelihood of a reunion with Sammy Hagar. “An instrumental album would be a lot less interesting to me, but honestly, David can’t do it anymore, and he’ll never work with Sammy. I just don’t see who would even sing on it,” the fan wrote.
Additional fan suggestions included Kevin Cronin, Mike Patton, and Corey Taylor. Some also argued for the return of longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, noting his vocal contributions as well. “Mike Patton and Corey Taylor, there are two, and you do need Mike Anthony on bass and vocals,” one fan added.
The collaboration between Alex Van Halen and Steve Lukather goes beyond a standard studio project. It is also an effort to preserve and complete unreleased Van Halen material that has remained in the band’s vault for years. BraveWords reported that the project involves finishing unreleased recordings, with “three or four” albums’ worth of material available. This collection of unfinished tracks offers fans the chance to hear previously unheard Van Halen compositions.
Lukather’s involvement will not include guitar performances on the recordings. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that he will instead serve as a co-producer, a decision rooted in respect for Eddie Van Halen’s legacy. Lukather addressed this directly when discussing the collaboration.
“I have too much love and respect for that and I play nothing like Ed,” Lukather explained, underscoring his intention to honor Eddie Van Halen’s work rather than attempt to emulate his iconic style.
The announcement was made during an appearance by Alex Van Halen on Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain’s Metal Sticks podcast. WGLX confirmed that Alex shared his plans to work with Lukather during the interview. The project marks his first major musical undertaking since Van Halen went on hiatus following Eddie Van Halen’s death in 2020.
