Scrap That Recent Van Halen Album News

Ok so now the news is that Toto guitarist Steve Lukather won't be playing on a new Van Halen album.

Apparently Steve's quote to a Dutch newspaper was taken out of context. Lukather says he will never play guitar on a Van Halen song, ever. He did help Alex Van Halen go through unfinished recordings between the two brothers. Seems like that is all there is to Lukather working on music with Alex Van Halen.

Remember, the Van Halen brothers and Lukather are all great friends and go way back, so the idea of an album collaboration wasn't that far fetched.

So now who knows if we will ever get new Van Halen music. Just don't hold your breath.

A New Van Halen Album Is Coming (Maybe?)

At first I took it as rumor that Alex Van Halen was done with retirement and working on new music. Turns out, he is working with Steve Lukather to finish up some incomplete Van Halen material. Well, material between Eddie and himself at least. Will there be vocals? Will Wolfgang Van Halen participate? So many questions.

Eddie Van Halen & Alex Van Halen - 'Unfinished/Between Us Two' - Full Song

Well this is incredible. We now have the full version of "Unfinished / Between Us Two," the last track that brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen worked on before Eddie's death.

The song doesn't need vocals at all and maybe it was written in that vein. I've seen old online articles (well, message board posts) about the track that note Sammy Hagar had written some words for the music but they were scrapped. This just doesn't seem like a song that needs words to me.

The part starting at 4:15 is just so good when it comes to guitar work - all those classic Eddie Van Halen signatures are there. One note and you know who is playing.

Knowing that this track is the end really hits home and makes it all the more haunting.

30 Seconds Of 'Unfinished'

Drummer Alex Van Halen will release his book Brothers on October 22. Along with that book is a full, previously unheard Van Halen brothers track. In fact, the track is the last one that Alex and Eddie ever worked on together. It is called "Unfinished" and the 30 second teaser is honestly very emotional.

There is no denying "Unfinished" is Van Halen - the song sounds like it would fit on Balance, 5150 or even 1984. We will have to see how the entire song pans out, but I am thinking it will be a slower track throughout with less flash than most Eddie Van Halen tracks.

I can't wait to read Brothers and now I'm really excited to hear this new Van Halen music, too.

Also, happy first NFL Sunday of the season to all who celebrate!

Pre-Order A Signed Copy Of 'Brothers' By Alex Van Halen

Brothers by Alex Van Halen is due October 22. The autobiography is an account of Alex's family life and of his close relationship to brother Eddie and their wild ride in Van Halen. The book has been available for pre-order for awhile now... and now you can also order a signed copy by Alex himself. I'm a little confused as to why the signed version is only $32. Van Halen's online store has the books, too.

At any rate, I'll be reading this one - but probably just the Kindle version. I have too many physical books as it is and I'm trying to ween them out.

David Lee Roth, 'Jump' -- New Version

Happy Friday! David Lee Roth just released a new, live version of the Van Halen classic "Jump." This is another surprise release from Diamond Dave. The new version was recorded in 2022.

Whiplash

Van Halen drama! A story in two acts:

ACT I - I get very excited:

ACT II - I get very sad: