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Tag: Alex Van Halen

  • Alex Van Halen Works on Album of Unfinished Material With Steve Lukather, Searches for Vocalist

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    Alex Van Halen is piecing together an album from incomplete tracks meant to become the next record before Eddie Van Halen died in 2020. The drummer has teamed up with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather to complete these recordings, which contain drums, guitar, and bass from three band members.

    “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,” said Alex Van Halen to KazaGastão. “It has to be of the quality and the level of where we left it. These are recordings that were going to be the next record, and that … stopped because [Ed] didn’t live that long.

    Steve Lukather assisted with arrangements and patched holes when necessary. “I went to Steve’s house several times, and we played a piece of music, and he goes, ‘Yeah, I got it. That’s it. That’s all we need,’” Alex Van Halen added.

    The band is hunting for a singer. Paul Rodgers turned them down because of health problems. Robert Plant surfaced as another possibility, but the former Led Zeppelin lead singer is touring. “He would’ve been an ideal choice. But nothing is etched in stone,” Alex Van Halen said.

    The drummer wants a singer from his 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 said.

    Eddie Van Halen died at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, on Oct. 6, 2020, at age 65.

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    Laura Adkins

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  • Van Halen Rehearsal Recordings from 2006-2007 Released as Instrumental Album

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    Writer and filmmaker Andrew Bennett released a compilation album of Van Halen rehearsal recordings from 2006 and 2007. These feature Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Wolfgang Van Halen without a vocalist. The recordings were captured at 5150 Studios between Nov. 2006 and Jan. 2007.

    The 10-track LP, The 5150 Sessions, includes instrumental versions of “Unchained,” “Atomic Punk,” “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love,” “I’m the One,” “Runnin’ With the Devil,” “Panama,” “Romeo Delight,” “Hot for Teacher,” “On Fire,” and “Somebody Get Me a Doctor.” It costs $50 on vinyl through vhsessions.com, and samples of each song are available. 

    Bennett documented the band’s activity during this period, and he got uncompressed audio files from the soundboard while filming jam sessions at the studio. “I had the honor to film numerous jam sessions at 5150,” Bennett said, according to Guitar World. “These tracks are a new way to hear the genius details of the band. I hope that when you drop the needle on this record player, your reaction is, ‘Holy shit! I have never heard Van Halen like this.’” 

    The group recorded as they got ready for their 2007 reunion, which marked the first tour with Wolfgang on bass after Michael Anthony was dismissed from the lineup. The sessions took place before David Lee Roth rejoined the band. Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang practiced full set lists twice a week during this time.

    The release sidesteps debates between fans of David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. The instrumental tracks showcase the guitar work and musicianship without vocals. Last year, Alex Van Halen said he was open to using AI to turn unfinished riffs and ideas from Eddie Van Halen into full songs.

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    Laura Adkins

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