Ticket 2 Ride

I’ve been waiting for this one. A book from inside Van Halen, this one from the elder brother, who is speaking out for the first time since Eddie Van Halen’s death.

Alex Van Halen has always been an enigma to me. He chose to be in the background, but his role was clearly quite large in the group. Brothers (2024, Harper) opens that door for knowing more about him, his relationship with Eddie, and how Alex fit into the group.

Interestingly, the book ends in 1984, stopping before the Sammy Hagar Van Halen years. “Because the original band was the band that was the driving force,” Alex Van Halen said in an interview with @bringingitbacktothebeatles. “That was the connection between the disparate parts of the musical world, if you will.” He continued, “For me, the spirit of the band ended in 1984.”

He “suggested” that the period after 1984 might be for another book. Maybe. I’m not sure I can see that. I guess it might depend on the reaction to this book and his interest in continuing the band’s story.

I certainly agree with Alex Van Halen’s view of the early Van Halen years. The first period of the band was special – before the changes in personnel, producers, the songwriting, the hangover of success, women, critical reaction – everything later was different.

Sammy Hagar for one doesn’t agree with the book ending where it does.

“Alex is not doing his brother’s musical legacy justice by not acknowledging all the No. 1 albums and some great music Eddie and I wrote together — not Alex — but Eddie and I wrote together,” wrote Hagar on social media. “To not acknowledge [those] 10 years of music is blasphemy to his brother’s musicianship, songwriting and legacy.”

We know how Sammy feels. I’ve not read anything from David Lee Roth or Michael Anthony, no reactions on the book, or Alex Van Halen’s view of their place in the band’s history. Alex barely mentions Sammy and even then is a bit dismissive of his contribution. David Lee is both praised, but more heavily criticized for having limited talent and his large ego. Michael Anthony, or Mikey as Alex refers to him, gets the fuzziest end of stick. He is described more like a hired-hand than an equal, and his input in songwriting and performing gets almost no mention. It’s no surprise that the brothers recruited Wolfie to play the bass in the band to replace Anthony. Reportedly, Anthony sided with Hagar against the brothers, something you never do. Kicked out of the band and forced to give up his financial interests and co-ownership of the band’s name.

I realized how close the brothers were, that’s a given. They were the A and B sides of the same coin. It was always going to be the two of them – until it wasn’t. Bandmates, producers, wives, managers would come and go, but it was really about the brothers. And in the end they would get the band name totally under their control. It happens. Bands are businesses, brands, corporations, printing press for money.

These guys worked their asses off in the beginning, and by the time they got signed to a record deal, they were ready to make good records. It wasn’t easy then, either. Constant touring, recording, touring, recording, repeat. The money came slowly, even though they sold tons of albums and packed venues – taxes, expenses, repaying costs to the record company, etc. Eventually, the money rolled in and they built their own recording studio and wrestled creative control away from their producer and record company. It all comes with a cost.

Alex Van Halen offers a very intriguing view from within the band, and the magic they created. I’d like to read accounts by the others in the band. I have read producer Ted Templeman’s book; he and Alex disagree on numerous things, which isn’t a surprise.

Brothers is interesting, though it’s a narrow and very personal view of that world.

2/5