Hello: I'm blown away by your responses. I'm glad I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Alex all those years ago and was able to share with all of you all these years later.
Alex was a GOOD elder brother to Edward in many ways. He stood up for him and protected him from the negative aspects of the industry. Edward was a pure musician who just loved to play but Alex was more streetwise & looked out for his little brother. Both when people would economically exploit him or would bully & hurt Edward like Roth did.
I swear these are the DEFINITIVE Van Halen interviews. I’ve heard Eddie’s telling, Dave’s telling of the history of VH, But WOW, this 4 hour interview with Alex should be thought of as VH 101. If you didn’t know, now you know.
One of my fav parts of this is hearing Alex tap his foot while remembering a song. He is SOLID and strong simply just tapping his foot. Steve, these are historical tapes and your ability to naturally inspire memories in people is BRILLIANT and a true gift! Thanks again to you and Adam for putting these out. I've been moved to tears...Can't wait for the rest to come! 💗
Soul Sacrifice is the Santana song that you and Alex were trying to come up with. How I would love to hear Alex's version of Soul Sacrifice. That would be EPIC!
Can’t wait to read Alex’s book! I want to hear him tell his story. Finally he speaks I know he was hurting for 3 years after Eddies death. Hoping he finds healing from the LORD! Obviously the relationship was very close and he was in much pain the last 3 years.
Thank you so much for this . Anyone starting a band should hear this. Anyone interested in history of music, southern California or America in general from the early 60s to the mid 80s should hear this . I think the story of Van Halen should be 3 or 4 different films. It starts in Indonesia before Alex and Edward were born. Their story encompasses colonialism, racism, escape of oppression and poverty. It is a story of family, immigration, manifest destiny and the evolution of American culture and music. It's a story of perseverance, hard work , extremely complex relationships and the American Dream pushed to the limit.
Thank you so much for sharing. This is absolutely fascinating. Van Halen captured twelve year old me in 1983 when I heard them on maybe showtime or some other cable channel. It was the US Festival. Music is my passion and although I listen to many different kinds of music now, the brown sound will always hold a special place in my heart. Can’t wait to read Alex’s book!
I LOVE that little domestic detail ALEX puts in - ' Roth auditioned in the living room of our parent's house ...They didn't like the idea of all those amplifiers in there because MY FATHER COULDN'T WATCH THE TV ' .........lolol
Racist bullying included! If Ed and Al, two mixed race kids, had to put up with today's crap they would have said screw you to that American dream nonsense. The dream is over.
Al’s one of my favourite drummers, and this is great. That said, you can hear the tension in his voice when he refers to Roth. And it’s understandable, especially given that this was done close to the time when he left the band. But I really think he and Ed don’t give DLR enough credit for showing them what they needed to do to go next level. Annoying as he may have been-and I’m sure he was-he DID help largely to take VH to where they needed to go.
What an awesome and insightful interview. As a kid growing up, admiring these guys, who had a similar background to mine coming from a working class family, it bolded me all that much more to pursue a life music.
7:15 So funny that their first few memories of DLR was that they hated him. Not surprised that those feelings might have lingered years later. Odd they never call him by name. BTW this is such a cool interview. Can't wait to buy the book when it comes out.
Learning to play guitar there's a Zone you bump into and it's fleeting while you're learning to play. it's like all of a sudden you have this natural ability but it's hard to hold on to, it comes and goes and the more you play the closer you get to it to a point where you can hold on to it. I bet Edward would know what I'm talking about, I haven't been able to hold on to it yet. but I'm getting close. but Ed took that to another level. Steve luthier talked about it in one of his interviews where he couldn't play for s*** and then all of a sudden one day he was just like wow. so Steve found that zone and was able to hold on to it, for me it comes and goes for Ed it probably came really soon I'm sure every guitarist knows what I'm talking about. I didn't start actually teach myself to play till I was 59 and it's harder when you're older so that's why I'm having a hard time grabbing that zone. Every time it happens I try to hold on to it but I put the guitar down and pick it back up and it's not there anymore so but it comes more often.
@@Kurt-dw3zn have you experienced it at all?if you haven't you will you'll see what I'm talking about don't do what I do and put the guitar down stay with it and keep playing and hold on to it as long as you can,that's what I'm going to do next time I hit that zone. I'm not going to put the guitar down that's the mistake I make every time I hit that zone I put the guitar down too soon.
Granted , Dave wasn't exactly the best vocally gifted lead singer, but he, IMO, was the confidence on stage they needed. He was Mr. Show. Aside from the way VH split with Dave, or vise versa, Original VH rocked. Al definitely doesn't seem to give any credit to Dave. Makes me wonder what would the band have sounded like if they went with a different lead singer. Maybe if Dave wasn't so full of himself, and and got some serious vocal coaching, he could have gotten better. Dave obviously had the confidence and energy, just not the chops. Just my 2 cents worth.
lets be honest here.. al talkin bout dave havung an ego...but come ahhhn the stories he is tellin about aproaching other dudes in bands and telling them they suck????? 😅😅😅😅😅
Maybe the timeline is off - isn’t this the timeframe Hagar claims Alex was drinking like a skidrow bum? I’m too lazy to reread Sammy’s book…sure sounds like the Brothers are in fine form in Sept ‘85….
Hello: I'm blown away by your responses. I'm glad I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Alex all those years ago and was able to share with all of you all these years later.
Alex was a GOOD elder brother to Edward in many ways. He stood up for him and protected him from the negative aspects of the industry. Edward was a pure musician who just loved to play but Alex was more streetwise & looked out for his little brother. Both when people would economically exploit him or would bully & hurt Edward like Roth did.
This (and Edward ) are the best interviews ever conducted. Most in depth . Spectacular job. Thank you on behalf of all Van Halen fanatics 🎉
Thank you
I swear these are the DEFINITIVE Van Halen interviews. I’ve heard Eddie’s telling, Dave’s telling of the history of VH, But WOW, this 4 hour interview with Alex should be thought of as VH 101. If you didn’t know, now you know.
Yes , Alex was the key guy to get the full inside story across history.
Hi: Thank you. Because Alex did these back in the day, his memories were so acute. I'm so happy he sat with me.
One of my fav parts of this is hearing Alex tap his foot while remembering a song. He is SOLID and strong simply just tapping his foot. Steve, these are historical tapes and your ability to naturally inspire memories in people is BRILLIANT and a true gift! Thanks again to you and Adam for putting these out. I've been moved to tears...Can't wait for the rest to come! 💗
I can't even express how much I love these interviews with Alex. As a life-long Van Halen fan, these are pure gold. ❤
Thank you.
Soul Sacrifice is the Santana song that you and Alex were trying to come up with. How I would love to hear Alex's version of Soul Sacrifice. That would be EPIC!
wow love to hear that too
Great listening to Al! Golden VH history!
Can’t wait to read Alex’s book! I want to hear him tell his story. Finally he speaks I know he was hurting for 3 years after Eddies death. Hoping he finds healing from the LORD! Obviously the relationship was very close and he was in much pain the last 3 years.
For real. I can’t even imagine, they were like identical twins.
Poor ALEX 😔😟 But always remember this Alex - 'death is NOT ultimate because only LOVE is ultimate' 🙏
What a life these brothers had! Very blessed.
Thank you so much for this .
Anyone starting a band should hear this.
Anyone interested in history of music, southern California or America in general from the early 60s to the mid 80s should hear this .
I think the story of Van Halen should be 3 or 4 different films. It starts in Indonesia before Alex and Edward were born. Their story encompasses colonialism, racism, escape of oppression and poverty. It is a story of family, immigration, manifest destiny and the evolution of American culture and music.
It's a story of perseverance, hard work , extremely complex relationships and the American Dream pushed to the limit.
Thank you so much for sharing. This is absolutely fascinating. Van Halen captured twelve year old me in 1983 when I heard them on maybe showtime or some other cable channel. It was the US Festival. Music is my passion and although I listen to many different kinds of music now, the brown sound will always hold a special place in my heart. Can’t wait to read Alex’s book!
Glad you enjoyed it
I LOVE that little domestic detail ALEX puts in - ' Roth auditioned in the living room of our parent's house ...They didn't like the idea of all those amplifiers in there because MY FATHER COULDN'T WATCH THE TV ' .........lolol
The VH brothers: the epitome of the American dream. For real. Unltd Kudos to Jan and Eugenia. Can’t wait to read Alex’ book!
Racist bullying included! If Ed and Al, two mixed race kids, had to put up with today's crap they would have said screw you to that American dream nonsense. The dream is over.
My all time favorite drummer, AVH !
great interview with alex
Al’s one of my favourite drummers, and this is great.
That said, you can hear the tension in his voice when he refers to Roth. And it’s understandable, especially given that this was done close to the time when he left the band. But I really think he and Ed don’t give DLR enough credit for showing them what they needed to do to go next level. Annoying as he may have been-and I’m sure he was-he DID help largely to take VH to where they needed to go.
Yep, good front men come with crazy. The good ones make people wanna watch you. But that crazy...
Tremendous. Just tremendous. 🤘🏻🇺🇸
Awesome Steve!
Thanks!
@@SteveRosenInterviews 😎
What an awesome and insightful interview. As a kid growing up, admiring these guys, who had a similar background to mine coming from a working class family, it bolded me all that much more to pursue a life music.
Thank you.
Man i wish i could go back to 85! 14 years old and 3 years into Van Halen, couldn't get enough, and so much music yet to be made by the brothers! 😢
Wow, love this
Awesome interview- I love the testimonies from all the great ol' musicians: I look forward to more > Thanks, Steve!
Awesome, thanks again . Great to hear this .
My pleasure!
This had lot more information on growing up and background of music etc a lot of stuff about dad s musical info than Eddie’s interviews
Awesome
Amazing and definitive. Looking forward to the next one.😊
A lot more to come.
Wow! This is gold! Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome.
7:15 So funny that their first few memories of DLR was that they hated him. Not surprised that those feelings might have lingered years later. Odd they never call him by name.
BTW this is such a cool interview. Can't wait to buy the book when it comes out.
So GREAT!! ❤
Thank you.
This is a fantastic interview especially listening from Alex’s prospective ..
Such a talented musician…🥁🥁🥁👏👏👏🤍🤍🤍
Awesome thx!
Loving this. Thank you Steve!
My pleasure!
This is magnificent! ❤
AVH We had the music to back it up and Dave had the mouth 🔥🤣👏🏾👏🏾
This is really getting interesting! Thanks for releasing this :)
was there a fire going on in the hills? There seems to be sirens going off for the entire conversation?
I'm going to dance the night away. 🥰
you better not !
thanks
Alex was so right about the music not mattering at a club.
Steve, do you remember where you were when you interviewed Alex? A lot of planes flying overhead. Thanks for posting, these are great!
Probably outside 5150 with the AC in the background- and planes overhead 😂🤘🏻
Yes outside of 5150 in a couple of lounge chairs.
Thanks, Steve. Wouldn't have thought there was a flight path in the area of Coldwater from Burbank airport.@@SteveRosenInterviews
Van Nuys Airport
I wonder if there's any public record of the time they took the Catholic school to small claims court to get paid.
The zestimate on the house Al mentioned is off the hook for such a small house.
Learning to play guitar there's a Zone you bump into and it's fleeting while you're learning to play. it's like all of a sudden you have this natural ability but it's hard to hold on to, it comes and goes and the more you play the closer you get to it to a point where you can hold on to it. I bet Edward would know what I'm talking about, I haven't been able to hold on to it yet. but I'm getting close. but Ed took that to another level. Steve luthier talked about it in one of his interviews where he couldn't play for s*** and then all of a sudden one day he was just like wow. so Steve found that zone and was able to hold on to it, for me it comes and goes for Ed it probably came really soon I'm sure every guitarist knows what I'm talking about. I didn't start actually teach myself to play till I was 59 and it's harder when you're older so that's why I'm having a hard time grabbing that zone. Every time it happens I try to hold on to it but I put the guitar down and pick it back up and it's not there anymore so but it comes more often.
I’ve been playing guitar over 40 years and still have a hard time finding that zone.
@@Kurt-dw3zn have you experienced it at all?if you haven't you will you'll see what I'm talking about don't do what I do and put the guitar down stay with it and keep playing and hold on to it as long as you can,that's what I'm going to do next time I hit that zone. I'm not going to put the guitar down that's the mistake I make every time I hit that zone I put the guitar down too soon.
@@Kurt-dw3zn God bless you brother let me know just leave a comment here I'll see it
SWEET JESUS!!!!
It'd cool knowing Pa Van Halen was still alive.
Ditto!
Granted , Dave wasn't exactly the best vocally gifted lead singer, but he, IMO, was the confidence on stage they needed. He was Mr. Show. Aside from the way VH split with Dave, or vise versa, Original VH rocked. Al definitely doesn't seem to give any credit to Dave. Makes me wonder what would the band have sounded like if they went with a different lead singer. Maybe if Dave wasn't so full of himself, and and got some serious vocal coaching, he could have gotten better. Dave obviously had the confidence and energy, just not the chops. Just my 2 cents worth.
Of course we were....hahaha
lets be honest here.. al talkin bout dave havung an ego...but come ahhhn the stories he is tellin about aproaching other dudes in bands and telling them they suck????? 😅😅😅😅😅
Maybe the timeline is off - isn’t this the timeframe Hagar claims Alex was drinking like a skidrow bum? I’m too lazy to reread Sammy’s book…sure sounds like the Brothers are in fine form in Sept ‘85….
Al got sober after his father passed 12/86
Ed stayed quiet HE SAW THE FUTURE
Alex trying so hard to discredit Dave’s business acumen 😂
💚2024✨sowing................🎶
🎠🌈🌈🌈💍🌈🌈🌈🔥
Daniel 12 Revelation 21
🎸 keeping the Faith 💜😎
Another self-serving interview from one of the Van Halen brothers.
wtf are you talking about?
#hater
26:25