More than five years after Eddie Van Halen’s passing, Alex Van Halen has confirmed he’s finishing previously unheard Van Halen material for a new album.
For the first time, the drummer has outlined exactly what the project involves, revealing that the recordings were originally intended to become the band’s next studio record (per Ultimate Classic Rock). Speaking to Brazilian YouTube channel KazaGastao, Van Halen said he’s working alongside Toto guitarist Steve Lukather to complete the material.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have Steve Lukather, who was a good friend of Ed’s, and we’re working on putting a record together,” Van Halen explained.
Built From Eddie’s Final Sessions
The songs stem from sessions that were cut short when Eddie passed away in 2020.
“Many people have asked, what about releasing unreleased stuff?’ Well, we’re not gonna release it in its embryonic form because it wouldn’t make any sense,” Van Halen said.
“It has to be of the quality and the level of where we left it. Not just to say, ‘Hey, here’s some music that we made. If you like it, that’s great.’ No, It has to be the quality that we expect.”
He confirmed the core instrumentation is already complete.
“The drums are already recorded. The drums, the guitar and the bass are already in there.”
Wolfgang Van Halen reportedly handled the bass parts during those sessions.
Still Searching For A Vocalist
What the project lacks is a singer, Paul Rodgers has declined due to health concerns, and former Van Halen frontmen David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone were not mentioned.
“What we didn’t have is a vocalist, and obviously the subtleties and the glue — we call it the glue or the spackle,” Van Halen said. “Luke and I are looking for somebody right now.”
At 72, Van Halen wants someone from a similar musical generation:
“I’m 72. We gotta find somebody in that age group who was exposed to the same musical experience that we have. Otherwise, it doesn’t have the depth.”
He added that Robert Plant “would’ve been an ideal choice,” though nothing is confirmed, watch this space.
Follow me on Facebook:
RELATED
MORE IN News
