Alex Van Halen has announced his first new music project since selling off his gear, revealing an upcoming collaboration with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather. The drummer shared the news during a recent interview with Modern Drummer Official, where he spoke about his recording plans and his decades-long friendship with Lukather.
“I’m getting ready to do this record with Steve Lukather and a couple other people, it should be exciting,” Van Halen said. “We have a long history together. He sang on a couple of records with us.”
Van Halen went on to explain the philosophy behind the collaboration, stressing that genuine creative relationships matter more than formal agreements.
“You know, ultimately when you’re in, I don’t want to use the word business, but if you’re in this line of work just like you and I, you know, we have a relationship,” he continued. “It goes beyond superficial contract and I want you to do this and do that. We do it because we like something or we want to do it because it’s creative. The moment you get into contracts that are very specific about what your what your role in the project is, it falls apart, you know, and that’s been our experience anyway. And we’ve known Lukather for a long time. So, yeah, he was one of real true best friends.”
The announcement marks Alex Van Halen’s return to recording after an extended absence from the studio and signals a new phase in his musical life following the death of his brother Eddie Van Halen in 2020.
The interview was part of a special episode reflecting on Van Halen’s musical legacy. According to Antimusic, the conversation aired as the season finale of Metal Sticks, hosted by Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain and producer David Frangioni. The podcast has become a space for prominent musicians to discuss their careers, creative processes, and experiences in the heavy metal world.
Van Halen’s renewed focus on collaboration comes as he continues to reassess his artistic direction and past equipment choices, areas in which he has long been known for his innovative and philosophical approach.
This project stands as Van Halen’s first major musical undertaking after navigating several personal and professional challenges in recent years. Paste Magazine previously noted that Alex Van Halen has been highly selective about interviews and public appearances since his brother’s passing, making this revelation especially meaningful for fans.
Teaming up with Lukather—a Grammy-winning guitarist celebrated for his work with Toto and countless session recordings—brings together decades of shared history, grounding the new project in a partnership built on trust, creativity, and mutual respect rather than contractual obligation.
