Alex Van Halen: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|American drummer (born 1953)}}
{{Short description|American drummer (born 1953)}}
{{Family name hatnote|Van Halen|Halen|lang=Dutch}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Fnh|Van Halen|Halen|lang=Dutch}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Alex Van Halen
| name              = Alex Van Halen
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* [[glam metal]]
* [[glam metal]]
}}
}}
| years_active      = 1962–present
| years_active      = 1962–2020
| past_member_of    = [[Van Halen]]
| past_member_of    = [[Van Halen]]
| website          = {{URL|van-halen.com}}
| website          = {{URL|van-halen.com}}
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| father = Jan Van Halen
| father = Jan Van Halen
| mother = Eugenia van Beers
| mother = Eugenia van Beers
| relatives = [[Eddie Van Halen]] (brother)
| relatives = [[Eddie Van Halen]] (brother)<br>[[Wolfgang Van Halen]] (nephew)
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''Alexander Arthur Van Halen''' ({{IPAc-en|v|æ|n|_|ˈ|h|eɪ|l|ə|n}} {{respell|van|_|HAY|len}}, {{IPA|nl|aːlɛkˈsɑndər vɑn ˈɦaːlə(n)|lang}}; born May 8, 1953) is an American<!-- please see [[MOS:ETHNICITY]] and archived talk page discussions for why "Dutch-American" or "Dutch-born American" is not used here --> musician who was the drummer and a co-founder of the rock band [[Van Halen]], which was formed in 1972 by Van Halen and his younger brother [[Eddie Van Halen|Eddie]] under the name "Mammoth" before adding [[Michael Anthony (musician)|Michael Anthony]] and [[David Lee Roth]] in 1974 and changing their name to Van Halen.
'''Alexander Arthur Van Halen''' ({{IPAc-en|v|æ|n|_|ˈ|h|eɪ|l|ə|n}} {{respell|van|_|HAY|len}}, {{IPA|nl|aːlɛkˈsɑndər vɑn ˈɦaːlə(n)|lang}}; born May 8, 1953) is an American<!-- please see [[MOS:ETHNICITY]] and archived talk page discussions for why "Dutch-American" or "Dutch-born American" is not used here --> retired musician who was the drummer and a co-founder of the rock band [[Van Halen]], which was formed in 1972 by Van Halen and his younger brother [[Eddie Van Halen|Eddie]] under the name "Mammoth" before adding [[Michael Anthony (musician)|Michael Anthony]] and [[David Lee Roth]] in 1974 and changing their name to Van Halen.


[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] signed the band in 1977, and the band's debut album was released a year later. Prior to their disbandment in 2020, following Eddie's death,<ref name="RS2020">{{cite magazine |last1=Hiatt |first1=Brian |title=Van Halen Considered Reunion Tour With Both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eddie-van-halen-vault-wolfgang-interview-1090873/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Van Halen released 12 studio albums, and the brothers were the only two constant members of the band. Noted for his technical prowess, speed, and power, Alex Van Halen is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time.
[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] signed the band in 1977, and the band's debut album was released a year later. Prior to their disbandment in 2020, following Eddie's death,<ref name="RS2020">{{cite magazine |last1=Hiatt |first1=Brian |title=Van Halen Considered Reunion Tour With Both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eddie-van-halen-vault-wolfgang-interview-1090873/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Van Halen released 12 studio albums, and the brothers were the only two constant members of the band. Noted for his technical prowess, speed, and power, Alex Van Halen is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Van Halen was born in [[Amsterdam]].<ref name="NewNetherland"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vhnd.com/alex-van-halen/ |title=Happy Birthday, Alex Van Halen! |date=June 17, 2013 |website=Vhnd.com |access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref> The family name in Dutch is ''[[van (Dutch)|van]] Halen'' (with lower-case 'v') and is pronounced in Dutch as {{IPA|nl|vɑn ˈɦaːlə(n)|}}. His Dutch father, Jan van Halen (1920–1986), was an accomplished [[jazz]] saxophonist and clarinetist. His mother, Eugenia van Beers (1914–2005), was an [[Indo people|Indo]] ([[Eurasia|Eurasian]]) from [[Rangkasbitung]], [[Dutch East Indies]] (now Indonesia).<ref name="NewNetherland"/> Alex spent his early years in [[Nijmegen]] in the east of the Netherlands.<ref name="drummerworld">{{cite web |url=http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Alex_Van_Halen.html |title=Drummerworld: Alex van Halen |website=Drummerworld.com |access-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> The family moved to [[Pasadena, California]], in 1962.<ref name="NewNetherland"/> The [[Dutch name | Dutch]] prefix "van" was capitalized by Alex's parents during the family's immigration<ref>Their [[surname]] did not, then, consist of just "Halen". See {{Cite journal |last1=Meszaros |first1=Rosemary |last2=Pennavaria |first2=Katherine |date=2018 |title=GovDocs to the Rescue! Debunking an Immigration Myth |issue=1 |pages=7–12 |url=https://journals.ala.org/index.php/dttp/article/view/6655/8939 |journal=DTTP: Documents to the People |volume=46 |doi=10.5860/dttp.v46i1.6655 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |language=en-US|doi-access=free }}</ref> to the US. Alex and his brother Eddie became naturalized U.S. citizens.<ref>{{cite news |last=Christopher |first=Michael |date=February 6, 2015 |title=Rock Music Menu: Eddie Van Halen set for Smithsonian talk |url=http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20150206/NEWS/150209755 |newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times |location=Upper Darby Township, PA |access-date=February 13, 2016 }}</ref>
Van Halen was born in [[Amsterdam]].<ref name="NewNetherland"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vhnd.com/alex-van-halen/ |title=Happy Birthday, Alex Van Halen! |date=June 17, 2013 |website=Vhnd.com |access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref> The family name in Dutch is ''[[van (Dutch)|van]] Halen'' (with lower-case 'v') and is pronounced in Dutch as {{IPA|nl|vɑn ˈɦaːlə(n)|}}. His Dutch father, Jan van Halen (1920–1986), was an accomplished [[jazz]] saxophonist and clarinetist. His mother, Eugenia van Beers (1914–2005), was an [[Indo people|Indo]] ([[Eurasia]]n) from [[Rangkasbitung]], [[Dutch East Indies]] (now Indonesia).<ref name="NewNetherland"/> Alex spent his early years in [[Nijmegen]] in the east of the Netherlands.<ref name="drummerworld">{{cite web |url=http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Alex_Van_Halen.html |title=Drummerworld: Alex van Halen |website=Drummerworld.com |access-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> The family moved to [[Pasadena, California]], in 1962.<ref name="NewNetherland"/> The [[Dutch name|Dutch]] prefix "van" was capitalized by Alex's parents during the family's immigration<ref>Their [[surname]] did not, then, consist of just "Halen". See {{Cite journal |last1=Meszaros |first1=Rosemary |last2=Pennavaria |first2=Katherine |date=2018 |title=GovDocs to the Rescue! Debunking an Immigration Myth |issue=1 |pages=7–12 |url=https://journals.ala.org/index.php/dttp/article/view/6655/8939 |journal=DTTP: Documents to the People |volume=46 |doi=10.5860/dttp.v46i1.6655 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |language=en-US|doi-access=free }}</ref> to the US. Alex and his brother Eddie became naturalized U.S. citizens.<ref>{{cite news |last=Christopher |first=Michael |date=February 6, 2015 |title=Rock Music Menu: Eddie Van Halen set for Smithsonian talk |url=http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20150206/NEWS/150209755 |newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times |location=Upper Darby Township, PA |access-date=February 13, 2016 }}</ref>


Both brothers were trained as [[classical pianist]]s during childhood.<ref name="drumsoloartist">{{cite web |url=http://www.drumsoloartist.com/Site/Drummers2/Alex_Van_Halen.html |title=Alex Van Halen |website=Drumsoloartist.com |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> Although Alex is known as a professional drummer, he began his musical aspirations as a guitarist, with his brother Eddie taking up drums.<ref name="NewNetherland"/> While Eddie was delivering newspapers to pay for his drum kit, Alex would practice playing on them. After spending some time playing Eddie's drum kit, Alex became more skilled than Eddie was as a drummer.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Wurster |first1=Jon |title=Alex Van Halen: Of Sound and Vision|magazine=Modern Drummer |date=June 2012 |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=52–53}}</ref> After Eddie heard Alex's mastery of [[The Surfaris]] drum solo in the song "[[Wipe Out (instrumental)|Wipe Out]]", he decided to learn to play the electric guitar.<ref name="drummerworld"/> Alex was influenced by [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]] drummer [[Ray Phillips (musician)|Ray Phillips]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110106 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - Founding BUDGIE Member RAY PHILLIPS Working On Solo Debut |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=October 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206055645/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110106 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref>
Both brothers were trained as [[classical pianist]]s during childhood.<ref name="drumsoloartist">{{cite web |url=http://www.drumsoloartist.com/Site/Drummers2/Alex_Van_Halen.html |title=Alex Van Halen |website=Drumsoloartist.com |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> Although Alex is known as a professional drummer, he began his musical aspirations as a guitarist, with his brother Eddie taking up drums.<ref name="NewNetherland"/> While Eddie was delivering newspapers to pay for his drum kit, Alex would practice playing on them. After spending some time playing Eddie's drum kit, Alex became more skilled than Eddie was as a drummer.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Wurster |first1=Jon |title=Alex Van Halen: Of Sound and Vision|magazine=Modern Drummer |date=June 2012 |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=52–53}}</ref> After Eddie heard Alex's mastery of [[The Surfaris]] drum solo in the song "[[Wipe Out (instrumental)|Wipe Out]]", he decided to learn to play the electric guitar.<ref name="drummerworld"/> Alex was influenced by [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]] drummer [[Ray Phillips (musician)|Ray Phillips]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110106 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - Founding BUDGIE Member RAY PHILLIPS Working On Solo Debut |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=October 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206055645/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110106 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref>


Alex, Eddie and three other boys formed their first band, calling themselves "The Broken Combs", while attending [[Hamilton Elementary School]] in Pasadena, in which Alex played [[saxophone]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Tonya|last=Mosley|authorlink=Tonya Mosley|title=Undone by the loss of his brother Eddie, Alex Van Halen looks back in a new memoir|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/02/g-s1-40835/undone-by-the-loss-of-his-brother-eddie-alex-van-halen-looks-back-in-a-new-memoir|series=[[Fresh Air]]|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=January 2, 2025|orig-date=October 29, 2024|quote=And I think the first band we did put together was a band called The Broken Combs, which was – I played sax and Ed played piano.}}</ref> When Eddie was in the fourth grade,<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 26, 2012|title=Unearthed 1964 Photo: "The Broken Combs" Band, Featuring Eddie and Alex Van Halen|url=https://www.vhnd.com/2012/10/26/unearthed-1964-photo-the-broken-combs-band-featuring-eddie-and-alex-van-halen/|access-date=October 18, 2024|website=Van Halen News Desk|language=en-US}}</ref> they performed at lunchtime at the school.
Alex, Eddie and three other boys formed their first band, calling themselves "The Broken Combs", while attending Hamilton Elementary School in Pasadena, in which Alex played [[saxophone]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Tonya|last=Mosley|authorlink=Tonya Mosley|title=Undone by the loss of his brother Eddie, Alex Van Halen looks back in a new memoir|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/02/g-s1-40835/undone-by-the-loss-of-his-brother-eddie-alex-van-halen-looks-back-in-a-new-memoir|series=[[Fresh Air]]|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=January 2, 2025|orig-date=October 29, 2024|quote=And I think the first band we did put together was a band called The Broken Combs, which was – I played sax and Ed played piano.}}</ref> When Eddie was in the fourth grade,<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 26, 2012|title=Unearthed 1964 Photo: "The Broken Combs" Band, Featuring Eddie and Alex Van Halen|url=https://www.vhnd.com/2012/10/26/unearthed-1964-photo-the-broken-combs-band-featuring-eddie-and-alex-van-halen/|access-date=October 18, 2024|website=Van Halen News Desk|language=en-US}}</ref> they performed at lunchtime at the school.


In 1971, Van Halen graduated from [[Pasadena High School (California)|Pasadena High School]].<ref name="drummerworld" /> He then took classes in [[music theory]], scoring, composition and arranging at [[Pasadena City College]] for a short while.<ref name="drummerworld" /> While there, Alex met Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth. They formed the band Mammoth, and Alex, along with the others, left Pasadena City College.<ref name="rockhall">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/van-halen/ |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |website=Rockhall.com |access-date=January 18, 2008 }}</ref>
In 1971, Van Halen graduated from [[Pasadena High School (California)|Pasadena High School]].<ref name="drummerworld" /> He then took classes in [[music theory]], scoring, composition and arranging at [[Pasadena City College]] for a short while.<ref name="drummerworld" /> While there, Alex met Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth. They formed the band Mammoth, and Alex, along with the others, left Pasadena City College.<ref name="rockhall">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/van-halen/ |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |website=Rockhall.com |access-date=January 18, 2008 }}</ref>
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In June 2024, Alex auctioned off all of his drum gear he had in storage for decades. This led people to believe that he will no longer be involved in music without his brother Edward on stage with him.<ref>{{cite web | last=Novak | first=Lauren | title=Alex Van Halen Selling All His Gear & Quitting Music For One Heartbreaking Reason | website=Remind Magazine| date=June 10, 2024 | url=https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/15171/alex-van-halen-selling-gear-auction/ | access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=M | first=Jason | title=Historic Auction of Alex Van Halen Memorabilia | website=Modern Drummer Magazine | date=May 30, 2024 | url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2024/05/historic-auction-of-alex-van-halen-memorabilia/ | access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>
In June 2024, Alex auctioned off all of his drum gear he had in storage for decades. This led people to believe that he will no longer be involved in music without his brother Edward on stage with him.<ref>{{cite web | last=Novak | first=Lauren | title=Alex Van Halen Selling All His Gear & Quitting Music For One Heartbreaking Reason | website=Remind Magazine| date=June 10, 2024 | url=https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/15171/alex-van-halen-selling-gear-auction/ | access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=M | first=Jason | title=Historic Auction of Alex Van Halen Memorabilia | website=Modern Drummer Magazine | date=May 30, 2024 | url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2024/05/historic-auction-of-alex-van-halen-memorabilia/ | access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>


Alex released a book called ''Brothers'' on October 22, 2024 and commenced a 3 date promotional tour. <ref>{{cite web |title=Alex Van Halen's Autobiography 'Brothers' Due In October |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/alex-van-halens-autobiography-brothers-due-in-october |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=April 2, 2024 |language=en |date=February 18, 2024}}</ref>
Alex released a book called ''Brothers'' on October 22, 2024 and commenced a 3 date promotional tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alex Van Halen's Autobiography 'Brothers' Due In October |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/alex-van-halens-autobiography-brothers-due-in-october |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=April 2, 2024 |language=en |date=February 18, 2024}}</ref>


==Equipment==
==Equipment==
[[Image:Van halen drum.jpg|thumb|right|Van Halen's [[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]] drum kit that was used on Van Halen's [[Van Halen (album)|first album]] and its supporting tour.]]
[[Image:Van halen drum.jpg|thumb|right|Van Halen's [[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]] drum kit that was used on Van Halen's [[Van Halen (album)|first album]] and its supporting tour.]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2025}}


Van Halen endorses [[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]] drums, pedals and hardware, [[Paiste]] cymbals, [[Remo]] drumheads and [[Regal Tip]] drumsticks. A Paiste endorser since March 1983, Van Halen, in co-operation with Paiste developed a signature [[ride cymbal]]—a 2002 24" Big ride—which Paiste introduced at the 2010 Winter [[NAMM Show]]. He also had two Ludwig signature snares. Alex has used [[Rototoms]] and [[octobans]] in the past as well as [[electronic drum]]s and is renowned for using extravagantly sized drum kits that feature an on-fire orchestral [[gong]] and four [[bass drum]]s, having originally used only two.
Van Halen endorses [[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]] drums, pedals and hardware, [[Paiste]] cymbals, [[Remo]] drumheads and [[Regal Tip]] drumsticks. A Paiste endorser since March 1983, Van Halen, in co-operation with Paiste developed a signature [[ride cymbal]]—a 2002 24" Big ride—which Paiste introduced at the 2010 Winter [[NAMM Show]]. He also had two Ludwig signature snares. Alex has used [[Rototoms]] and [[octobans]] in the past as well as [[electronic drum]]s and is renowned for using extravagantly sized drum kits that feature an on-fire orchestral [[gong]] and four [[bass drum]]s, having originally used only two.
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== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Van Halen married Valeri Kendall in June 1983, after a two-year engagement. The marriage ended in divorce two months later. In 1984 he married Kelly Carter. Their son Aric Van Halen, was born October 6, 1989. The couple divorced in August 1996. Carter was sued by Van Halen in 2013, over her commercial use of the 'Van Halen' surname. The case was settled in 2015. His son Aric is a passionate runner and competed in the Olympic trials for the [[Steeplechase at the Olympics|steeplechase]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 24, 2017 |title=For Aric Van Halen, a Steeplechaser, Jump Takes on a New Meaning |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/sports/aric-van-halen-steeplechase.html |access-date=October 15, 2019 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Aric also is a photographer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keller |first1=Travis |title=In conversation with Aric Van Halen - Possessed Magazine |url=https://satisfyrunning.com/blogs/possessed/aric-van-halen |publisher=Satisfyrunning.com |access-date=June 9, 2025}}</ref>
Van Halen married Valeri Kendall in June 1983, after a two-year engagement. The marriage ended in divorce two months later. In 1984 he married Kelly Carter. Their son Aric Van Halen was born October 6, 1989. The couple divorced in August 1996. Carter was sued by Van Halen in 2013, over her commercial use of the 'Van Halen' surname. The case was settled in 2015.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}


Van Halen married his current wife, Stine Schyberg, in 2000. She is the mother of his son Malcolm Van Halen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeSantis |first1=Rachel |title=Alex Van Halen Says 'I Owe My Life' to Wife Stine, Who Helped Him Kick Drug Addiction in the 1990s |url=https://people.com/alex-van-halen-wife-stine-helped-him-stop-using-drugs-8725977 |publisher=[[People (magazine)]] |access-date=June 9, 2025 |date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>  
Van Halen's son Aric was a member of the [[Colorado Buffaloes cross country|cross country]] and [[Colorado Buffaloes track and field|track and field]] teams of the [[University of Colorado]],<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 Cross Country Roster - Aric Van Halen |url=https://cubuffs.com/sports/cross-country/roster/aric-van-halen/1065 |publisher=[[University of Colorado Athletics]] |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref> earning all-American honours in both sports,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Howell |first1=Brian |title=Track and field: Van Halen aims for top three at nationals |url=https://www.dailycamera.com/2013/05/19/track-and-field-van-halen-aims-for-top-three-at-nationals/ |publisher=[[Daily Camera]] |access-date=12 October 2025 |date=19 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sprouse |first1=Linda |title=Van Halen Earns All-American Honors |url=https://cubuffs.com/news/2013/6/7/208276764 |publisher=[[University of Colorado Athletics]] |access-date=12 October 2025 |date=7 June 2013}}</ref> and competed in the Olympic trials for the [[Steeplechase at the Olympics|steeplechase]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=Pat |title=Son of a famous drummer, Van Halen makes own name in track |url=https://apnews.com/son-of-a-famous-drummer-van-halen-makes-own-name-in-track-60a4de8d90a84c7f92b48dc5dd59eab7 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=12 October 2025 |date=23 June 2017}}</ref>
 
Van Halen married his current wife, Stine Schyberg, in 2000. She is the mother of his son Malcolm Van Halen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeSantis |first1=Rachel |title=Alex Van Halen Says 'I Owe My Life' to Wife Stine, Who Helped Him Kick Drug Addiction in the 1990s |url=https://people.com/alex-van-halen-wife-stine-helped-him-stop-using-drugs-8725977 |publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=June 9, 2025 |date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>


Van Halen is the uncle of [[Wolfgang Van Halen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0887006/bio|title=Alex Van Halen|publisher=IMDb|access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref>
Van Halen is the uncle of [[Wolfgang Van Halen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0887006/bio|title=Alex Van Halen|publisher=IMDb|access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref>


Van Halen is an ordained minister. He presided at the second wedding of his brother Eddie in 2009 and his son Malcolm's wedding in 2024.
Due to years of playing loud music, he has major hearing loss in both ears. "In 1995 Alex Van Halen complained to his stage engineer Jerry Harvey about it. He could no longer hear the band onstage and was putting his hearing in jeopardy. Harvey built a simple in-ear monitor using two speakers that were originally designed for a pacemaker. He tuned one for bass, the other for treble."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hood |first=Phil |date=September 19, 2017 |title=You Can Say Thanks To Alex Van Halen |url=https://drummagazine.com/you-can-say-thanks-to-alex-van-halen/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |website=DRUM! Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Due to years of playing loud music, Alex is said to have major hearing loss in both ears. "In 1995 Alex Van Halen complained to his stage engineer Jerry Harvey about it. He could no longer hear the band onstage and was putting his hearing in jeopardy. Harvey built a simple in-ear monitor using two speakers that were originally designed for a pacemaker. He tuned one for bass, the other for treble."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hood |first=Phil |date=September 19, 2017 |title=You Can Say Thanks To Alex Van Halen |url=https://drummagazine.com/you-can-say-thanks-to-alex-van-halen/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |website=DRUM! Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Discography ==
== Discography ==

Latest revision as of 07:41, 12 October 2025

Template:Short description Template:Family name hatnote Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main other

Alexander Arthur Van Halen (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell, Script error: No such module "IPA".; born May 8, 1953) is an American retired musician who was the drummer and a co-founder of the rock band Van Halen, which was formed in 1972 by Van Halen and his younger brother Eddie under the name "Mammoth" before adding Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth in 1974 and changing their name to Van Halen.

Warner Bros. signed the band in 1977, and the band's debut album was released a year later. Prior to their disbandment in 2020, following Eddie's death,[1] Van Halen released 12 studio albums, and the brothers were the only two constant members of the band. Noted for his technical prowess, speed, and power, Alex Van Halen is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Early life

Van Halen was born in Amsterdam.[2][3] The family name in Dutch is van Halen (with lower-case 'v') and is pronounced in Dutch as Script error: No such module "IPA".. His Dutch father, Jan van Halen (1920–1986), was an accomplished jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. His mother, Eugenia van Beers (1914–2005), was an Indo (Eurasian) from Rangkasbitung, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).[2] Alex spent his early years in Nijmegen in the east of the Netherlands.[4] The family moved to Pasadena, California, in 1962.[2] The Dutch prefix "van" was capitalized by Alex's parents during the family's immigration[5] to the US. Alex and his brother Eddie became naturalized U.S. citizens.[6]

Both brothers were trained as classical pianists during childhood.[7] Although Alex is known as a professional drummer, he began his musical aspirations as a guitarist, with his brother Eddie taking up drums.[2] While Eddie was delivering newspapers to pay for his drum kit, Alex would practice playing on them. After spending some time playing Eddie's drum kit, Alex became more skilled than Eddie was as a drummer.[8] After Eddie heard Alex's mastery of The Surfaris drum solo in the song "Wipe Out", he decided to learn to play the electric guitar.[4] Alex was influenced by Budgie drummer Ray Phillips.[9]

Alex, Eddie and three other boys formed their first band, calling themselves "The Broken Combs", while attending Hamilton Elementary School in Pasadena, in which Alex played saxophone.[10] When Eddie was in the fourth grade,[11] they performed at lunchtime at the school.

In 1971, Van Halen graduated from Pasadena High School.[4] He then took classes in music theory, scoring, composition and arranging at Pasadena City College for a short while.[4] While there, Alex met Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth. They formed the band Mammoth, and Alex, along with the others, left Pasadena City College.[12]

Career

Alex and Eddie Van Halen had several early bands before the formation of Van Halen. In addition to The Broken Combs, there were The Space Brothers, The Trojan Rubber Company, and Mammoth.[4]

In 1972, the brothers formed Mammoth with Mark Stone on bass and Eddie on lead vocals. The band rented David Lee Roth's PA system for their shows. Soon after, Eddie became tired of singing lead, and asked Roth to join the band. Later, in 1974, since the name Mammoth was already taken by another band, the name was changed to Van Halen, and Stone was replaced by Michael Anthony.[13] Roth has claimed that it was his idea to rename the band Van Halen, and that he actually named it after Alex. In addition to his musical duties at this time, Alex handled managerial duties, such as booking gigs, and the like for the band. Their 1978 self-titled debut album Van Halen was released to much fanfare, influencing many musicians in hard rock. Van Halen had released eleven more studio albums since then, and officially disbanded a month after Eddie's death on October 6, 2020.[1]

Although the term "brown sound" is generally associated with Eddie's guitar, it was actually coined by Alex to refer to the sound of his snare drum.[14]

Alex never recorded any music without his brother being involved, with Michael Anthony saying that "the only person that he plays with is Ed."[15] The only recording Alex has made outside of the band is playing keyboards on the Eddie Van Halen instrumental "Respect the Wind", done for the Twister soundtrack and earning the Van Halen brothers a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.[16]

In June 2024, Alex auctioned off all of his drum gear he had in storage for decades. This led people to believe that he will no longer be involved in music without his brother Edward on stage with him.[17][18]

Alex released a book called Brothers on October 22, 2024 and commenced a 3 date promotional tour.[19]

Equipment

File:Van halen drum.jpg
Van Halen's Ludwig drum kit that was used on Van Halen's first album and its supporting tour.

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Van Halen endorses Ludwig drums, pedals and hardware, Paiste cymbals, Remo drumheads and Regal Tip drumsticks. A Paiste endorser since March 1983, Van Halen, in co-operation with Paiste developed a signature ride cymbal—a 2002 24" Big ride—which Paiste introduced at the 2010 Winter NAMM Show. He also had two Ludwig signature snares. Alex has used Rototoms and octobans in the past as well as electronic drums and is renowned for using extravagantly sized drum kits that feature an on-fire orchestral gong and four bass drums, having originally used only two.

Regal Tip created the Alex Van Halen signature drumsticks when he became an endorser.

Influences

Van Halen's main influences include Billy Cobham, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon and John Bonham, and he has cited jazz drummer Buddy Rich's work as having an early and lifelong impact.[20]

Personal life

Van Halen married Valeri Kendall in June 1983, after a two-year engagement. The marriage ended in divorce two months later. In 1984 he married Kelly Carter. Their son Aric Van Halen was born October 6, 1989. The couple divorced in August 1996. Carter was sued by Van Halen in 2013, over her commercial use of the 'Van Halen' surname. The case was settled in 2015.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Van Halen's son Aric was a member of the cross country and track and field teams of the University of Colorado,[21] earning all-American honours in both sports,[22][23] and competed in the Olympic trials for the steeplechase in 2016.[24]

Van Halen married his current wife, Stine Schyberg, in 2000. She is the mother of his son Malcolm Van Halen.[25]

Van Halen is the uncle of Wolfgang Van Halen.[26]

Due to years of playing loud music, he has major hearing loss in both ears. "In 1995 Alex Van Halen complained to his stage engineer Jerry Harvey about it. He could no longer hear the band onstage and was putting his hearing in jeopardy. Harvey built a simple in-ear monitor using two speakers that were originally designed for a pacemaker. He tuned one for bass, the other for treble."[27]

Discography

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Solo discography

Books

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References

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External links

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  1. ↑ a b Template:Cite magazine
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  5. ↑ Their surname did not, then, consist of just "Halen". See Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  15. ↑ Michael Anthony Breaks His Silence
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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