Alex Van Halen has confirmed work is underway to bring unreleased Van Halen material to life.
The 72-year-old drummer of the legendary classic rock band has teamed up with hard-rock/AOR multi-instrumentalist Steve Lukather to help complete what had originally been intended as the band’s next studio album before iconic guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s death in 2020.
Speaking to Brazilian YouTube channel KazaGastão, Alex explained that fans have long asked about unheard tracks, but he’s determined not to release anything that feels incomplete.
He said: “We’re not putting anything out in its early, unfinished state — that wouldn’t make sense.
“I’m lucky to have Steve Lukather, who was very close to Ed, and we’re working on shaping a record that meets the standard we left off at. It can’t just be, ‘Here’s some music we found.’ It has to be up to our expectations.”
Alex went on to clarify that the core of the album was already in motion before Eddie’s passing.
He shared: “These recordings were meant to become the next Van Halen record, but everything stopped when Ed died.
“The drums, guitar and bass are already there. What we never got to was the vocals — and all the subtle touches, the glue that holds it together.”
Eddie’s son Wolfgang Van Halen’s original bass parts remain part of the sessions, and now Alex and Lukather are focused on finding the right singer.
Their first choice, Free and Bad Company icon Paul Rodgers, was unable to take part.
Asked whether they’re actively searching for a vocalist, Alex confirmed: “Yeah. Luke and I are looking for somebody right now.”
He added that the singer needs to come from their generation to truly connect with the material.
Alex said: “Music is about shared experience. I’m 72 — we need someone who lived through the same musical era we did. Otherwise, it won’t have the same depth.”
The three main singers of the Jump band were David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Cherone.
