Van Halen fans will soon have a chance to read a candid and heartfelt memoir by the band's drummer and co-founder, Alex Van Halen. The book, titled ‘Brothers,’ will reveal the intimate and turbulent story of Alex and his late brother, Eddie Van Halen, who passed away in 2020 after a long battle with cancer.
Brothers will chronicle the Van Halen siblings' journey from their humble beginnings in the Netherlands to their rise to fame and fortune in the United States, where they formed one of the most influential and successful bands in rock history. Along the way, Alex will share his memories of their family, their music, their struggles, and their bond.
According to the official blurb, Alex will write in his "rough-yet-sweet voice" and will not shy away from the darker aspects of their lives, such as their father's alcoholism, their own addiction issues, their conflicts with bandmates and managers, and their notorious bad-boy behavior. But he will also celebrate their achievements, their creativity, their humor, and their love for each other and their fans.
Alex will also offer his perspective on Eddie's life and death, and how he coped with the loss of his brother and musical partner. He will pay tribute to Eddie's genius, his legacy, and his impact on the world of rock and roll.
Brothers is co-written by Ariel Levy, a staff writer for The New Yorker and the author of The Rules Do Not Apply. The book will be published by HarperCollins on October 22nd, 2024, and will be available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. It will be the second memoir by an original member of Van Halen, following David Lee Roth's Crazy From the Heat in 1997, and the third overall, with Sammy Hagar publishing his Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock in 2011.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]