Brothers

By: Alex van Halen

Narrated by: Alex van Halen

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Featuring an exclusive, never-before-heard piece of music, the last written together by the legendary Van Halen brothers!

In this intimate and open account—nothing like any rock-and-roll memoir you’ve ever read—Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music and brotherly love in a remarkable tribute to his beloved brother and band mate.

Told with acclaimed New Yorker writer Ariel Levy Brothers is seventy-year-old drummer Alex Van Halen’s love letter to his younger brother, Edward, (Maybe “Ed,” but never “Eddie”), written while still mourning his untimely death.

In his rough yet sweet voice, Alex recounts the brothers’ childhood, first in the Netherlands and then in working class Pasadena, California, with an itinerant musician father and a very proper Indonesian-born mother—the kind of mom who admonished her boys to “always wear a suit” no matter how famous they became—a woman who was both proud and practical, nonchalant about taking a doggie bag from a star-studded dinner. He also shares tales of musical politics, infighting, and plenty of bad-boy behavior. But mostly his is a story of brotherhood, music, and enduring love.

"I was with him from day one,” Alex writes. “We shared the experience of coming to this country and figuring out how to fit in. We shared a record player, an 800 square foot house, a mom and dad, and a work ethic. Later, we shared the back of a tour bus, alcoholism, the experience of becoming successful, of becoming fathers and uncles, and of spending more hours in the studio than I’ve spent doing anything else in this life. We shared a depth of understanding that most people can only hope to achieve in a lifetime."

There has never been an accurate account of them or the band, and Alex wants to set the record straight on Edward’s life and death.

©2024 Alex van Halen (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Great but incomplete.

I was so into this story, and then it was just over. It's as if the story of the Van Halen brothers ended when DLR left the band. I literally thought I accidentally skipped ahead to the end. Tell me about the the struggle of losing your front man. Tell me about the decision to go with Hagar. Tell me what is was like to experience success all over again and go even further than before. So much was left unwritten.

Some interesting things I didn’t know

Alex provides some insight into some things I didn’t know about them or the band.

Passion.. love.. family and music!

I have never met the Van Halen’s but have loved them like family since 1984 when I discovered them. I have only cried for 2 people who have have passed from this world. My mom and Edward. Thank you Alex for sharing a bit of you and your brother.

Awesome listen, if incomplete.

Sure, it has its shortcomings - it completely ignores (just about) any mention of Hagar, and also completely ignores numerous controversies surrounding the band (for instance, making Mike an employee). It also relies a little too heavily on the writings of others. But it’s still great to hear Alex’s view on their upbringing, the genius of his brother, and the genius of them together. And I loved to hear Alex’s stories about the band as they were on the rise, as well as his take on DLR. Now let’s hope Mike writes a book.

An emotive ride!

The narration by AVH made it feel like he was hanging out with you, sharing the history of your favorite band and also moving you about his incredible bond with his brother, Edward. Thanks, Alex.

Beautiful dysfunction

Raw emotional flow. This book and narration resonated with me, I run a family business and we are exactly the same. Passionate, with admiration and frustration, but you make it work. Thank you Alex for sharing your story, your life and loves.

Fabulous Biography!

Wonderful biography of Edward Van Halen told with frankness, boldness, and heart by his brother Alex. Both brothers were blessed with such talent- I had no idea. Thank you for putting your memories into words.

Don’t have the words

Being a Van Halen fan, this is probably one of the best books I have ever listened to. The emotion and character that Alex brings is just incredible.

The Love

Grateful to Alex for this. The respect within the truth, the understanding that there’s so much more he’s keeping private. The love.

Al's honesty telling Van Halen's story.

He didn't sugar coat the negative parts of their history, personal struggles with alcohol and drugs and creative differences within the band. He also gives credit where credit is due. He gives a ton of credit to their father's influence and guidance of how to be professional musicians. I was surprised there was no story telling of the Sammy Hagar era or the reunuion era at all. As a life long VH fan I loved this book and the 1st hand account of their history. There's so many stories and other's interpretations of their story. Highly recommend!