Steve Lukather, the guitarist of Toto, has provided insights into his ongoing recording project with Alex Van Halen, confirming that it will include significant archival work from Eddie Van Halen and will not feature any of his own playing.

“I’m telling you, this is not throwaway material,” Lukather stated to Guitar Player regarding the recordings left by the late Van Halen guitarist, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 65. “When I heard them, I said to Al, ‘Why didn’t you use these?’ The answer was that nobody could write to it. So if you think this is a collection of throwaway material that we’re trying to piece together to exploit unsuspecting Van Halen fans, it’s not.”

While Lukather mentioned he couldn’t share many more details, he stressed that these vault tracks are far more than mere leftovers. “These are fully finished tracks with Ed and Al, and Ed’s playing bass on a lot of it,” he explained. “That’s all I can say right now because it’s a much bigger picture, and it’s Alex’s story to tell.”

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Steve Lukather Says There Will Be No ‘Toto Fingerprints on a Van Halen Project’

Earlier this year, Alex Van Halen informed longtime Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain that he was about to start working on a new album with Lukather, though he did not clarify what role the Toto mastermind would have. This led to speculation that Lukather might act as the de facto Van Halen guitarist in Eddie’s absence — but he insisted he would not be doing anything so sacrilegious.

“Well, first off, that’s the most ridiculous and humorous thing I’ve ever heard,” Lukather told Guitar Player. “I am no more qualified to try and play like Ed Van Halen than I am to be the first man to tug my dick on the planet. [Laughs] I don’t know how anybody could think that would even be a reality. Honestly, it’s laughable. I don’t play … I couldn’t … I don’t play like Ed. It’s crazy.”

Instead, Lukather will serve as a co-producer and advisor for the Van Halen drummer. “I am there 100 percent to be his co-producer and help him with the technical aspects. I’m not going to play,” he clarified. “There won’t be any Lukather or Toto fingerprints on a Van Halen project. I can promise you that. I’m there to support Al and ask, ‘How can I help you do this?’ I’m there to assist with vocals or mixing. It’s about ensuring quality control from someone he trusts.”

As a longtime friend and collaborator of Eddie Van Halen, Lukather can also provide a guitarist’s perspective as he and Alex navigate through the material. “I can listen to things and say, ‘I know Ed wouldn’t like that.’ I can suggest, ‘I think Ed would dig that,’ you know? I’m just being that third ear,” he added.

Eddie Van Halen Left ‘Three or Four’ Albums’ Worth of Unreleased Music

According to Alex, there is no shortage of Eddie Van Halen material in the vaults. The drummer revealed in 2024 that his brother left behind “three or four” albums’ worth of material in various stages of completion. (In October 2024, Alex released “Unfinished,” the last song he wrote with Eddie, as an accompaniment to the audiobook version of his memoir Brothers.)

“On one end of the spectrum is the fact that little riffs don’t make a song,” Alex told the Talk Is Jericho podcast. “On the other end of the spectrum, some of those riffs are so unbelievably powerful; it’s unfortunate they ended up in the back of the vault instead of being records.”

“They will remain there until we determine how and why and what to do with them,” Alex continued. “And again, you have to remember it has to meet the level where Ed and I used to play. We’re not just going to throw it together. We have access to some of the greatest musicians on the planet, many of whom are more than willing to take a chance on some of this material.”

READ MORE: The Best Song From Every Van Halen Album

Will Wolfgang Van Halen Participate in the New Van Halen Project?

Lukather certainly qualifies as a world-class musician for this project. Another logical choice would be Eddie’s son (and Alex’s nephew) Wolfgang Van Halen; however, it is still unclear if the Mammoth bandleader will take part in the project.

“I’m hoping Al will invite Wolf to be involved at some level,” Lukather said. “I haven’t spoken with Wolf in quite some time. It’s actually sad; we got busy and haven’t connected. But I think what he’s doing is wonderful. He’s an incredible musician. If anyone is going to play anything needed, he would be qualified for it. But at this point, there’s really no need for additional players.”

This is good news for Lukather who, despite his own distinguished guitar background, feels that Van Halen is beyond his expertise. “I’m not qualified,” he admitted. “Call Dweezil [Zappa] — he plays that stuff. Call Nuno [Bettencourt]! I can name ten guys like Vai or Satch. I’m nowhere near qualified to start dabbling in the Van Halen realm.”