Brothers Audiobook By Alex van Halen cover art

Brothers

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Brothers

By: Alex van Halen
Narrated by: Alex van Halen
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About this listen

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
Entertainment & Celebrities History & Criticism Music Heartfelt
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Heartfelt Brotherly Bond • Authentic Personal Perspective • Authentic Narration • Insightful Musical Journey
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Well written, well delivered, and really insightful. A story that every VH fan knows, but there’s a freshness and honesty here that is fantastic. You nailed it Alex.

The Mighty Alex Van Halen

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EVH is the reason I started playing guitar, and while I’ve loved lots of other players over the years, he’s always been THE GUY in my heart and mind. The man had it all in spades and there’s two of his quotes: “It’s called music theory, not music fact”, and “there are no rules…if it sounds good, it is”, that perfectly encapsulates the genius and outside the box thinking of Edward Van Halen. He absolutely did reinvent the guitar. Great job narrating Alex, and from a grieving fan, thank you for this. RIP King Edward

Worth the credit

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I loved this book! I didn’t know they had a tough childhood. Coming to the U.S. from the Netherlands at such a young age & not knowing English must’ve been tough. Especially coming into LA (Pasadena). Unlike DLR, these boys came from nothing! Both are gifted in their own way. Too bad not much was mentioned about Michael Anthony. The world lost Eddie at such a young age. Hope there’s a part 2! I would think Alex has A LOT more to say!! #VanHalenforever🩷

Hope there’s a part 2

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I loved hearing someone who has been there, grew up with and knew EVH tell his story about their years coming to and growing up in a new country, their family life as we had never heard it before, and the origins of the best (IMO) rock band.
Thank you Al for this wonderful book - I hope the writing and narration of it helps to ease your loss and grief, and you were able to find comfort in the many memories I’m sure this brought to mind.

1st Hand Experience

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The book is both satisfying and leaves you wanting more. It is the story Alex needed to tell but not necessarily the one fans wanted to hear. It gives a warm appreciation to the time spent honing their craft and it honors their upbringing while also keeping it very clear that these guys know what work is. But it leaves you empty wondering what happened during the other years too. They might not hold the nostalgia for Alex but die hard fans who stuck by them for years are left wanting and wondering why, how, what because no matter what version of the band you prefer you still honor the band as a whole regardless of who is singing.

David Lee Roth who is basically the Donald Trump of Rock (yes I just threw up in my mouth a little) comes off exactly like he portrays himself then and now and ultimately his ego destroys whatever chance there was to celebrate their collective genius. Shame on you Dave. Sammy you didn’t get your due but the fans will still love you and Mike as you move forward and do your thing. And Alex you didn’t get the respect as a musician you deserved but you were an amazing brother.

Two Things at One Time

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I liked how it explained about the story and how the years lead up before there break up of the original 😳 with Dave leaving.

Great story

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An insightful story of the love and professional respect of one brother for another (that just happened to co-create the legendary band Van Halen). A beautiful tribute to brotherhood.

A Tribute From One Brother To Another

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I love rock auto biographies narrated by the author and this one is exceptional. Alex Van Halen’s description of early Pasadena, the house party scene, the clubs, and Sunset Strip was true nostalgia for me as a Pasadena/Sierra Madre hometown-er. His descriptions of an immigrant family taking on a huge culture shift were insightful. The credit he shares to so many people along the way was beautiful. And the heart we put into describing their bond, what they created, and touching his grief let you know that this guitar legend of a brother changed his world completely. Love stays!

Alex brings you into the fold and their bond

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I have wanted to hear from Alex since King Edward crossed to the other side. It was therapeutic. I hope that Alex might decide to cover 1985 to the present at some time. I find Alex’s opinion a little more grounded than we might hear from the frontmen that graced the mighty VH.

Great tribute

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Thank you for sharing the amazing journey you and your brother had. the ups and downs, highs and lows, both personal and public, the good and the bad. Many of us grew up with your music, and now you've brought it all full circle. God bless.

An amazing journey

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