It is clear that Alex Van Halen is not a natural scribe. However, he does write naturally and with honesty, which makes Brothers a truly endearing memoir, a tale of brotherhood, music and enduring love.
“You have to understand, our dad wasn’t a regular white guy. First, he was a musician, so already that’s not so good. Plus, he and his buddies drank a lot, so that’s strike two. He drove a Norton motorcycle, and the first time he put our mother on the back of it, she was so little and light that she flew right off. Dad was fun and he was handsome, and women loved him.”
There is almost an adolescent feel about Brothers, a book which tackles the serious subject of addiction in a sympathetic yet pragmatic way. If you are expecting a book about Van Halen, the band and their rock ‘n’ roll excesses, you will be mildly disappointed.
This book is about the bond and relationship between the author and his ridiculously prodigious brother, Edward Van Halen. The fact that they were the founders of one of the most successful rock bands in history is almost a side issue.
There are respectful, kind nods to Michael Anthony despite the social media furore suggesting that he had been “airbrushed” out of the book. The same also applies to David Lee Roth, despite the clear friction between the king of self-promotion and the brothers.
Alex Van Halen dutifully recognises the importance and value of DLR’s input while firing some criticism at his former Van Halen bandmate.
Interestingly, the book itself only takes us up to 1984, leaving internet commentators open to suggestions that the Sammy Hagar era was erased from history, as well as the Gary Cherone era.
This is, of course, complete nonsense, given that the book is a snapshot of Van Halen’s first 30 years on the planet and not a historical documentation of the band. It also suggests that Alex Van Halen’s story is not complete.
The book describes the addiction issues that beset the entire Van Halen family, with Alex being introduced to alcohol at the tender age of six. It addresses the way that Eugenia Van Halen (Alex and Ed’s mother) dealt with her husband Jan’s alcoholism. How? Quite often with the aid of a flying frying pan.
Alex also delves deeply into Edward’s sensitivity, insecurities and fears. It was quite surprising to read how fragile Edward Van Halen was. The care and love that Alex shows when describing events is in complete contrast to Edward’s image in Van Halen, where Alex was generally considered to be the tough guy of the outfit.
Alex also talks about the family exodus that took the Van Halen family from Indonesia to Nijmegen in the Netherlands before finally settling in Pasadena, California. It was here that the Van Halen’s encountered racism due to their mixed heritage.
He also speaks about family poverty and the art of improvisation when faced with that poverty. This, of course, explains Edward Van Halen’s obsession with tinkering with his guitars and getting that silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
There is also a very humorous side to the book, which is quite surprising given the externally serious demeanour of the author. Talking about being given a tobacco pipe as a pacifier with the justification that it was a Northern European thing and dogs hating Edward did raise a chuckle or two.
To reveal anything more about the book within this article would be a disservice to Alex Van Halen.
If you set aside the fact that this is not a Van Halen history book and see it for what it is, a tribute from a grieving brother to his younger sibling, you will enjoy the wonderful story the drummer has to tell.
This is a unique story of Van Halen, of family, music, and loss, presented with a fantastic selection of personal photographs.
Brothers, by Alex Van Halen, is out now via HarperNonFiction.
