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Calling all Van Halen <\/strong>die-hards.\u00a0<\/p>\n A long-rumored tribute project honoring the late Eddie Van Halen<\/strong> is officially in the works. Described as highly anticipated and deeply emotional, the passion project is being built from unreleased recordings by one of rock\u2019s influential guitarists. While fans are still waiting for its release, though, there\u2019s already another way to celebrate the moment (details way below). \u00a0<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade\u2019s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Guitar World<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, the still-untitled EVH project is being shaped by Toto guitarist Steve Lukather <\/strong>and Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen<\/strong>, who told the outlet that the record is a heartfelt sendoff to the legendary guitarist. Lukather also emphasized that the project is not about commercial gain, but about \u201clove of the guys.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n A longtime pal of Eddie\u2019s, Lukather was personally chosen by Alex to help guide the honorary record, which was reportedly close to completion before Eddie\u2019s death in 2020. And even though Lukather is a guitar legend in his own right, he confirmed he\u2019s not playing a single chord on the album.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are finished tracks with Ed and Al,\u201d Lukather said, \u201cand Ed\u2019s playing bass on a lot of it. That\u2019s all I can say right now because it\u2019s a much bigger picture, and it\u2019s Alex\u2019s story to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n Lukather added that the material is fully realized, pushing back against any notion it is unfinished or assembled from scraps: \u201cIf you think this is a bunch of throwaway crap that we\u2019re trying to Mickey Mouse<\/a> together to suck the dollar out of poor, unsuspecting Van Halen fans, it\u2019s not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n As anticipation builds for the ultimate tribute album already generating major interest across classic rock news, EVH legacy coverage, and posthumous rock releases, fans can also take part in a separate collaboration.<\/p>\n Teaming with Ultimate Classic Rock<\/em><\/a><\/strong>, the band is giving away a signed edition of their double-vinyl album that releases this Friday<\/a>, June 5<\/strong>. One lucky winner will receive a vinyl edition of Live in New Haven, CT 1986<\/strong><\/em>, complete with post-David Lee Roth<\/strong> frontman Sammy Hagar<\/strong>\u2019s John Hancock<\/strong> and a collectible vinyl slipmat featuring the classic Hagar-era Van Halen logo<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The double live album captures the band\u2019s \u201cpowerhouse lineup of Sammy Hagar<\/strong>, Eddie Van Halen<\/strong>, Alex Van Halen<\/strong>, and Michael Anthony<\/strong> during the legendary 5150 Tour<\/em><\/strong>,\u201d recorded live at the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum<\/strong> back in August 1986<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n