Alex Van Halen
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Alexander Arthur Van Halen (born on May 8, 1953) is a drummer and founding member of the hard rock band Van Halen, along with his brother Eddie Van Halen who plays lead guitar and keyboards.
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[edit] Early life
He was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands to Jan Van Halen, a Dutch father, and Eugenia, an Indonesian mother. The family moved to Pasadena, California in 1962.
Both Van Halen brothers were trained as classical pianists in their childhood. Although Alex is known as a professional drummer, he began his musical aspirations as a guitarist, with his brother Edward taking up drums.
According to Van Halen lore, while Eddie was delivering newspapers to pay for his drum kit, Alex would practice playing on them. It was when Eddie heard Alex's mastery of the Surfaris drum solo in the song "Wipe Out" that he decided to switch and begin learning to play the electric guitar.
Alex graduated from Pasadena High School in 1971. Afterward, he attended Pasadena City College for a brief period of time taking classes in music theory, composition, scoring and arranging. Occasionally, he would pass by Michael Anthony in the hall—the bassist who would eventually become the third pillar of the future band Van Halen.
[edit] Music career and influences
Some of Alex's early bands, all of which included Eddie, were: The Broken Combs (who performed lunchtime concerts at Hamilton Elementary School and featured Alex on saxophone), The Trojan Rubber Company, Genesis, and The Space Brothers. Among his musical influences are Buddy Rich, Keith Moon, John Bonham and Ginger Baker.
In 1972, Mammoth was formed and featured Alex on drums, Edward on lead vocals and guitar and Mark Stone on bass. By 1974, Mammoth had a new line-up. Stone had been replaced by Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth had taken over as the lead vocalist. Because of conflicts with another band by the same name, Mammoth changed their name to Van Halen.
The quartet paid their dues on the Southern California club circuit: Gazzari's (the first club to give them a break), the Starwood, the Whisky a Go-Go, or Walter Mitty's Rock & Roll Emporium. Within a few years, Van Halen was a club scene favorite.
In addition to his musical duties, Al was busy handling managerial duties, booking gigs, etc. for the band, until the arrival of Donn Landee in the late-1970's. Their 1978 epic album Van Halen was released to much fanfare, influencing many musicians in hard rock.
Alex's powerful and dynamic double bass drumming style is as unique and instantly recognizable as Edward's guitar sound. Alex has been the recipient of innumerable accolades and awards and is recognized by his peers and fans as one of the eminent percussionists in rock and roll.
The term "brown sound," which is universally linked with Edward's tone was actually coined by Alex and refers to the warmth of his own snare drum sound. A self-taught musician who eschews any rock persona, Alex works diligently to create a very balanced accompaniment for each song.
At live shows, Alex is known for being an entertainer, performing aggressive drum solos and stage pyrotechnics.
The only non–Van Halen example of Alex's musicianship can be found on the soundtrack to the movie "Twister". The instrumental Respect the Wind (for which the Van Halen brothers were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1997 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance[1]) features Alex on keyboards (with Edward on guitar) and demonstrates this musician's remarkable versatility. The song was used for the movie soundtrack Twister and plays during the end credits of the movie.
Alex has one son, Aric Van Halen with his ex-wife Kelly who he divorced in 1996. Aric is rumoured to live with Alex and his new wife.
[edit] Alex´s kit
1998:
Shells A: Ludwig 4-ply 16" X 24" Bass Drum B: Ludwig 4-ply 8" X 10" Tom C: Ludwig 4-ply 8" X 12" Tom D: Ludwig 4-ply 16" X 16" Tom E: Ludwig 4-ply 16" X 18" Tom F: Ludwig Super Sensitive 6 1/2" X 14" Chrome Snare G: Ludwig 3 1/2" X 13" Piccolo H: 13 1/2" L+P Conga I: 12 1/2" L+P Conga
Cymbals J: Cow Bell K: Paiste 2002 16" Med. Crash L: Formula 602 Heavy Bell M: Paiste 2002 18" Crash N: Paiste 2002 20" Crash O: 22" Signature Series Dark Ride with Heavy Bell P: Paiste 2002 20" Med. Crash Q: Paiste 2002 18" Heavy Crash
The mighty drummer's hi-hat of choice is composed of a 15" Paiste 2002 top and a Paiste 2002 14" Sound Edge bottom.
Al is also using Yamaha 820 bassdrum pedals with a Roland Electric kickdrum trigger. His sticks are 16" Calato Regal Tip Alex Van Halen Series (double-butt).
Each of the drum shells as well as the bass drum heads, feature "Van Halen" in Sanskrit written on them!
[edit] References
- ^ List of 1997 Grammy Nominations from Rock on the Net
[edit] External links
- Van Halen Store - Official Van Halen merchandise
| Van Halen |
|---|
| Eddie Van Halen | Alex Van Halen | Michael Anthony | David Lee Roth | Sammy Hagar |
| Gary Cherone |
| Discography |
| Albums and extended plays: Van Halen | Van Halen II | Women and Children First | Fair Warning | Diver Down | 1984 | 5150 | OU812 | For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge | Balance | Van Halen III | Live: Right Here, Right Now | Best of Volume I | The Best of Both Worlds |
| Videos and DVDs: Van Halen - Live Without a Net | Van Halen: Right Here, Right Now - Live | Van Halen: Video Hits, Vol. 1 |
