Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography

by Kevin Dodds

%In July of 1984, Edward Van Halen was the most popular musician in the world in the most popular band in the world—the band that to this day bears his own surname. As a 12-year-old, author Kevin Dodds experienced his first Van Halen concert, and it changed his life.

In this biography, Dodds takes a comprehensive look at the life of Van Halen, one of the world’s most famous and influential musicians. He examines Eddie’s early years growing up in the Netherlands; his life with his mother and musician father; the family’s immigration to the United States; his lifelong trials and tribulations; and his remarkable music career. For more than a year, Dodds delved into more than a thousand different sources to compile Edward Van A Definitive Biography, the story that captures the life of a man with complex personality and character traits whose life and times has played an important role in American cultural and musical history. Dodds has also woven his personal experiences with Van Halen as well as his own band into this story, providing a unique perspective in the field of rock-and-roll biographies.

Genres: Music

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Erik Rostad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book out there solely about Eddie Van Halen. The author approached it as a fan, critic, and a musician. I'm a huge fan of Eddie's, having picked up the guitar after hearing one of his solos, devouring each of the Van Halen albums as a middle schooler, and even naming our cat after the man. There is something special about Edward and this book discusses his life in detail. You also learn really disturbing things about the man. They always say, don't meet your heroes because you will be devastated. The thing I most appreciated about this book was the author's description of nearly every song of the Van Halen catalog. I haven't met many other Van Halen fans in my life, so I loved reading the author's thoughts about the songs.

This is one of 4 books I'm reading this year about Van Halen.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

i would give 4 stars as there is a lot of great info on EVH, but author seems to have the biggest agenda of tearing on everything Sammy did with the band. Now, I am a huge DLR fan, but I certainly give some credit to Sammy and what he did with band. Disappointed the agenda took away from the book. Would recommend this book, though to any EVH fan!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read in lights of EVH's death. Thanks Kev.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

And this. RIP EVH.

[Think-On-It]

If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

All the best,

- TB

[Bill Halliwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book I’ve ever read.

[Stevi Balsamo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemingly complete lack of editing makes this a novice piece of work, rendering it borderline uninteresting at points- an incoherent ramble of sorts.

I am amazed at how this manages to have a decent rating. This was one of the most difficult books I’ve ever had to claw my way through… with multiple breaks and picking up other books in-between to relieve the headache set forth by this piece of utterly biased accounts.

I wish I were a quitter. This would have been put down less than halfway through rather than grasping to hope it would become more intelligible.

The only saving grace was that he didn’t completely regurgitate info from DLR’s or Bertinelli’s books… maybe the only reason I kept reading… for the “what’s new”. One would think that someone with so much vested interest in a man/band would take more pride in their works highlighting such.

The most wild sentence to me… “If you the reader find any mistakes of any kind, please email them to me…” My guy… you have GOT to be kidding me. You didn’t even try.

[Dan Borland · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information about Eddie Van Halen was good and interesting but the writing was sub-par. The author interjected a lot of his own opinions regarding various events in Eddie's life as well as past members of the band, which in my opinion is out of place in a truly good biography. Also the grammar was often poor and led me to wonder on several occasions if anyone had even edited the book at all.

[Alan Welding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done bio. Author has good perspective of Van Halen's life. Only complaint may be the redundant criticism of Sammy Hagar. It's not that I do not agree with many of the points, it is just they get repetitive.

[Vincent Cervoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of info, but…

This was so personal that it bordered on editorial. The author clearly hates Sammy Hagar and believes that true Van Halen fans should share that animosity. The book would benefit from better editing.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on one of the most important musicians of the last 30 years. Well done.

[Bil Cusack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very impressive artist an impressive telling of his rise

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a few typos but nothing that can't be figured out. Great tribute to Eddie. There was none like him. Made me miss him.