Alex Van Halen doesn’t ‘sugar coat’ complex relationship he had with Eddie in new book ‘Brothers’

As a die-hard Van Halen fan since their explosive debut in 1977, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the highs and lows of this iconic band throughout the years. The intriguing dynamic between the visual flamboyance of David Lee Roth and the musical purity of the Van Halen brothers has always fascinated me.

One lesson from the annals of rock music history seems to be quite clear: Avoid starting a band with your sibling. This advice comes strongly recommended even by the Oasis co-founders, Liam and Noel Gallagher, whose longstanding animosity towards each other has made their upcoming reunion tour as captivating for its intrigue as it is for anticipation.

To put it another way, Van Halen stood out as something unique. This powerhouse hard rock band, founded by brothers Alex and Eddie, achieved an impressive milestone, selling more than 70 million albums throughout their nearly four-decade career. In their teenage years in Pasadena, they started the band in their basement, recruited local talents like David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony to join, and eventually propelled Van Halen into the upper echelons of rock stardom. The death of Eddie, a groundbreaking prodigy who revolutionized electric guitar playing, at 65 from cancer in 2020 marked not just the end of the band, but also the dissolution of a bond that had elevated Van Halen from suburban house parties to stadium performances.

In “Brothers,” Alex penned a tribute to his late brother Eddie, exploring their intricate relationship that was strained by drug issues, power struggles, and other pitfalls often experienced by celebrities who once shared the same roof. Regarding his book, co-authored with Ariel Levy, Alex shares, “This is both a joyful and melancholic experience for me. I’ve strived to maintain an impartial perspective, revealing the truth. However, I didn’t want this account to be self-centered or overly sentimental.

The movie “Brothers” features some boastful scenes showcasing the Van Halen brothers, but it surprisingly delves into the complex relationships within the band, focusing on the tense interplay between the two brothers and lead singer David Lee Roth. However, it starts like any other rock narrative, with ambitious, self-assured young men ready to prove themselves and willing to put in the necessary effort to succeed. Notably missing is the defiance towards the older generation or the rebellion against parents.

Jan Van Halen, their father, was a skilled professional jazz saxophonist, known for his knack of getting people dancing with his music. However, when Germany invaded Holland in 1940, Jan chose to move to Indonesia, where he met the boys’ mother, Eugenia. Despite their fondness for their father’s lively jazz tunes, it was Eugenia who insisted on giving them piano lessons instead. When they eventually moved to California in 1962, Jan found work as a janitor but continued his passion for music by playing jazz part-time with some fellow Dutch musicians.

According to Alex, our father was the guiding force behind us becoming pros. When we faced challenges with the band or needed guidance on our next steps, he served as our inner voice. As Van Halen puts it, he demonstrated by example. He was incredibly dedicated and had a set of wise sayings like “obstacles become opportunities.” He was determined to play, regardless of the hurdles. This determination became a core belief for us.

After moving to Pasadena, Alex and Eddie quickly uncovered the magic of guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll, such as Cream, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and a whole new world presented itself to them. At first, Alex showed interest in the electric guitar, while Eddie was captivated by the drums. However, everything shifted when Eddie attempted playing Alex’s guitar during one of their intense garage jam sessions. “Dude, I think you should give guitar a try,” said Alex, impressed with his talent. Both of them recognized Eddie’s aptitude for it instantly.

Eddie Van Halen quickly rose to prominence as one of the 20th century’s most impactful musical innovators. Known for his lightning-fast, musically intricate playing style, he revolutionized how guitarists interacted with their instruments. As Alex puts it, “Ed was naturally talented, but he recognized that he needed to nurture his abilities. He was always found with his guitar, working tirelessly day and night, modifying and redesigning his guitars for the sound he wanted, and practicing relentlessly. His passion for music consumed him completely.

David Lee Roth, the lead singer of Van Halen, was a distinctive figure, known for his flamboyant style and eclectic taste in music that spanned from Broadway show tunes to the smooth Latin rhythms of Louis Prima. Despite these contrasting influences, they somehow came together to create something extraordinary, which is characteristic of exceptional bands. When David sang “Ice Cream Man” during his audition, we initially believed it was an original composition of his, but it turned out to be an old blues tune. We were intrigued by his unique talent, even if it didn’t align with our personal preferences. Alex also noted that Eddie Van Halen valued Roth; he understood that the band required a visual focal point to attract a broader audience beyond enthusiastic air-guitar players or teenage boys with zits.

To effectively convey music, you often need something visual for the audience to understand. This contrast – Roth’s focus on eye-catching elements and the brothers’ emphasis on pure music – proved highly profitable. The Van Halen siblings’ first three albums (titled “Van Halen,” “Van Halen II,” and “Women and Children First”) all achieved massive sales in the millions. Then, MTV emerged in 1981, revolutionizing the industry and becoming a significant factor in album sales. It was during this period that Eddie, who had constructed his own home studio, became more interested in orchestral music and experimented with melodies played on his Oberheim OB-xa keyboard. When he played one of these experimental tracks to Alex, his brother initially resisted, but Eddie’s perspective was, “let’s take a chance, let’s explore beyond our comfort zone,” according to Alex.

Alex and his group surrendered under the condition that their video would be devoid of any flashy effects. This led to the creation of the song “Jump,” from their 1984 album, which quickly became a catchy tune worldwide, with Alex believing it will be the track they are remembered for. The minimalist music video featuring the band lip-syncing against a white backdrop gained widespread popularity; the 1984 album was Van Halen’s first to top Billboard’s album chart.

Suddenly, without much notice, Roth leapt. “He found it hard to accept that Eddie was receiving more recognition than him,” Alex explains. “He continually pressed Eddie to perform fewer guitar solos. Dave believed he would become a film star.” And just as quickly, the band that Alex refers to as “the genuine Van Halen” disintegrated at the height of its fame. The album “1984” eventually sold over 10 million copies.

Without skipping a rhythm, Van Halen changed its lead singer to Sammy Hagar and created a string of platinum albums. However, Hagar’s robust vocals and ordinary pop-rock tunes failed to recreate the powerful, tank-like sound of the Roth era. When they weren’t on tour, Eddie often secluded himself in his home studio for extended periods, consuming alcohol heavily and smoking constantly – Alex claims this was due to the pressure of being labeled as the world’s best guitarist.

A few years back, Van Halen was diagnosed with neuropathy in his legs and has since stopped playing the drums. However, his former band remains a significant part of his thoughts; he’s currently rummaging through the band’s archives, aiming to discover untouched material for release that won’t feel like a mere cash grab for fans. “I really miss Ed,” he shares emotionally.

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2024-10-22 02:01