Click Above To OrderBrothers
Alex Van Halen
Publisher: Harper
Review Date: November 6, 2024
I don’t do a lot of book reviews because, a) I insist on reading any book I review and my schedule impacts my ability to read a new book in a timely manner; and b) let’s face it, people’s attention span today is way too short to completely consume a book in any format.
Because “b” doesn’t apply to me – and I made the time to read a book – I tackled Alex Van Halen’s book, “Brothers.”
The book is excellently written . . . as far as it goes. Van Halen does a thorough job of sharing plenty of details and insight into he and his brother’s upbringing. The insight explains how one of the most talented rock and roll bands ever had come into existence.
This insight is the kind of stuff I like learning about a person. It gives a glimpse into what makes them tick and why they’ve done – and do – what they have and do. When you finish “Brothers,” you will sense a small part of the love and devotion these two men had for each other and how that fueled Van Halen as a band.
That’s the good part of the book.
What I found disappointing is that there isn’t the same level of detail about the making of the first six albums the band put out. Sure, Alex shares some details, just not a lot . . . or, at least, the level of details that he shared about his upbringing. Those details and background stories would’ve added a lot of color to what we know about the band and its music.
Oh, did I say, “first six albums”?
Yes, I did. For reasons not given, Van Halen’s historical recollection in his book ends with the “1984” album and with a few details behind the departure of David Lee Roth.
Besides the fact that 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, Balance, Van Halen III, and A Different Kind of Truth (and two live albums) aren’t even alluded to, there are other omissions. They include:
No mention whatsoever of Sammy Hagar.
Michael Anthony is barely mentioned.
Details about Eddie’s addictions and their impact.
Very little mention of the Alex’s and Eddie’s adult family lives.
As a Van Halen fan, I would’ve really loved hearing more about the Roth departure, bringing Hagar onboard and working with him and the return of David Lee Roth towards the end. Maybe there’s another book in the works. Dunno.
That all said, the book is a good, easy read. If you’re a Van Halen fan, this is a must-have book for your library.
