Alex Van Halen wants readers of his new memoir, Brothers, to understand that it isn’t a typical tell-all book filled with scandalous stories. He stated to Billboard that the book focuses on the spiritual and creative aspects of his relationship with his late brother, Eddie Van Halen, rather than any sensational details. Alex notes that much of what has been reported about Eddie is often inaccurate and based on third-party accounts, and he hopes to correct that narrative to highlight Eddie’s more sensitive side, but Alex Van Halen also took a shot at Michael Anthony.
“It’s not about the dirt,” Van Halen, older brother and bandmate of the late Eddie Van Halen, tells Billboard. “If I start throwing dirt, it’ll never end. I think some people would like that; that’s how projects are sold nowadays. I think it divides the audience, and we’re not here to divide. I think the tone of the book and how I want the book to be perceived is more on a spiritual and creative level. That’s why there’s very little, or any, dirt in there.
“The majority of things that were written about Ed were third party,” he continues. “They weren’t really there. I’m not degrading any of it, but it’s not accurate. I really felt like a lot of the stuff that was out there was incorrect, and it didn’t do justice to the more sensitive side of Ed. So before I die I would like to at least partially set the record straight.”
Regarding the auction of his drum equipment earlier this year, Alex clarifies that it was simply a way to clear out unused gear, not a sign of retirement. He reassures fans that he has no intention of quitting music, despite ongoing spinal issues that have plagued him for years, including a recent injury from a shooting range incident. He believes that advancements in medical technology will help him manage his health challenges in the coming years.
“You have to remember we were together for 65 years; that’s a lifetime, if not more,” explains Van Halen, who was born in Amsterdam and came to the United States with his family in 1962, eventually settling in Pasadena, Calif., where the Van Halen band was formed in 1974. “(Brothers) not only forced me to look at everything Ed and I had done in our lifetime, but also — and I should thank Ed for this — it forced me to look at me. What are my motivations? Why am I really doing this? Who does anybody do this? It took me a lot of places…very heavy.”
Alex also addresses speculation about the Van Halens during the period between their last tour in 2015 and Eddie’s passing. He reveals that the brothers rarely discussed their future plans and preferred to let things unfold naturally. He acknowledges the difficult reality of Eddie’s battle with cancer, stating that much of the information circulating at the time was not only incorrect but also painful for him and the family.
