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Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story
The first full-length biography of Eddie Van Halen—a searching, affectionate, and in-depth look at the remarkable life of a genuine musical virtuoso who changed the course of rock ’n’ roll.“The game changing guitar legend gets the biography he deserves…. Diligently researched, perceptive and well-written.” —Classic RockArriving in California as a young boy in the early 1960s, Edward Van Halen and his brother Alex were ripe for the coming musical revolution. The sons of a Dutch, saxophone-playing father, the brothers discovered the Beatles, Cream, and other icons as they bound together as musical partners, forming identities for themselves in their adopted home along the way.“Affectionate and unflinching portrait of heavy metal’s Mount Everest…. Paul Brannigan goes deep here, his detailed…biography probing Van Halen’s psyche as well as his music.” —MOJOFrom the moment their hugely influential 1978 debut landed, Van Halen set a high bar for the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, creating an entirely new style of post-’60s hard rock and becoming the quintessential rock band of the 1980s. But the high-flying success was fraught with difficulty, as Eddie struggled with alcohol and drug addiction while simultaneously battling David Lee Roth over the musical direction of the band, eventually taking the band in an entirely new direction with Sammy Hagar and scaling new heights, before that iteration of Van Halen disintegrated.Acclaimed biographer Paul Brannigan tackles the dramatic story with respect and affection for one of rock’s greatest musicians, pairing original interviews with meticulous research to bring the story of Eddie Van Halen completely up-to-date. The Eddie Van Halen Story is a remarkable account of determination, genius, and single-minded commitment to the music.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2021
11 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 20, 2022
I'm not a Rock & Roll aficionado and know little about bands and the music business. But I recently read a memoir by actress Valerie Bertinelli, who was married to Eddie Van Halen for twenty years. Despite the fact that Eddie and Valerie had a tempestuous marriage that ended in divorce, Valerie speaks of Eddie so lovingly that I became curious to read this book about the guitarist.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen
*****
Eddie Van Halen's parents Jan and Eugenia, met in the late 1940s when Jan - a Dutch musician - was working in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Jan and Eugenia Van Halen
Jan and Eugenia Van Halen met and married in Indonesia
Jan married Indonesian native Eugenia and the couple moved to the Netherlands, where their sons Alex and Edward were born in 1953 and 1955 respectively. The boys were seven and eight when the family relocated to Pasadena, California and began a new life in America.
The Van Halens on a ship to America
Like their father, both Alex and Eddie exhibited a talent for music, and the boys started their own band while still in elementary school.
Young Alex and Eddie Van Halen showed musical talent as children
Alex played drums, Eddie played the guitar, and by the time the youths were in high school, it was clear they would become famous. Alex and Eddie's group - called Genesis, then renamed Mammoth - was adept at playing covers of bands they liked, such as Cream, The Who, Deep Purple, and Ten Years After.
Teenage Alex and Eddie Van Halen
In 1973 Alex and Eddie formed the band Van Halen, with lead singer David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony.
The band Van Halen (from left to right: Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony)
Van Halen started out in small clubs but was soon on it's way to stardom, and Brannigan writes about the band's songs, albums, and tours; booze, drugs, and groupies; and habit of destroying hotel rooms and property (which seems to be de riguer for hard rock bands). Van Halen remained popular for decades and Eddie is widely considered the best guitarist of his generation.
Van Halen performing
The Van Halen band members - and their producers and managers - didn't always get along, and Brannigan details the various changes that occurred over the years. Especially important was the replacement of flamboyant lead singer David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar in 1985, and then a brief stint with lead singer Gary Cherone. Eddie attributes the shuffling of lead singers to LSD (lead singer disease), which (in short) means the front men got too big for their britches.
David Lee Roth performing with Van Halen
Sammy Hagar performing with Van Halen
Gary Cherone performing with Van Halen
On a personal note, when Valerie Bertinelli's brothers took her to a Van Halen concert, there were immediate sparks between Eddie and the actress. They married soon afterwards, had a son named Wolfgang, and tried to make a go of it.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen married in 1981
Eddie Van Halen with baby Wolfie
However Eddie abused alcohol and drugs - which he deemed necessary for his creativity; partied with girls on the road; and was difficult to live with. Valerie admits she was no angel either, but it was Eddie's alcoholism and drug use that finally ended the marriage. Nevertheless, Valerie thought of Eddie as a gentle soul with a good heart and the couple remained close until Eddie lost his long battle with cancer in 2020.
Older Eddie Van Halen
The author did prodigious research for this book, and includes numerous details about Eddie's life, family, guitar construction, guitar virtuosity, song-writing, bandmates, studio work, stage work, etc.
Eddie Van Halen is considered the best guitarist of his generation
Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli with their son Wolfgang
Wolfgang Van Halen playing with his father's band
It's sad that substance abuse marred so much of Eddie's life, and that chain-smoking (probably) led to tongue cancer and lung cancer. One wonders what would have happened if Eddie had conquered these demons sooner.
I enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Mike Lenz, and highly recommend it - especially to Rock & Roll and Van Halen fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Paul Brannigan, and Tantor Audio for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
December 25, 2021
Five Stars
Months ago I read a great new Eddie Van Halen biography, and also just read his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli's upcoming release. I even read producer Ted Templeman's terrific biography which touched on his years of work with Van Halen. So I came to this audiobook with some grounding in the subject matter.
This is my second go at listening to an audiobook, and found that I enjoyed it a bit more. I love listening to talk radio and podcasts while I'm doing other things, but with the Christmas season some of my faves are on holiday...lending the perfect moment to try another audiobook. This was a really excellent overview on not just Eddie Van Halen, but the entire story of the band start to finish- ending with Eddie's passing. It even touched on aspects of Eddie's marriage to Valerie Bertinelli that I didn't know about, drawing from some of her earlier memoirs. It also covers in depth Van Halen's three different lead singers from over the years, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone, with their quotes and perceptions. It says that the hardcopy of this book is just under 300 pages, but listening to it seemed like it could have been 500 pages-but in a good way-because there was just so much information. It was also nice to hear it narrated when there were comments from each party involved, because it made the story come alive. If anyone wants to learn about not just Eddie Van Halen but the whole history of the band, this is a great book.
Thank you to Tantor Audio for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
Months ago I read a great new Eddie Van Halen biography, and also just read his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli's upcoming release. I even read producer Ted Templeman's terrific biography which touched on his years of work with Van Halen. So I came to this audiobook with some grounding in the subject matter.
This is my second go at listening to an audiobook, and found that I enjoyed it a bit more. I love listening to talk radio and podcasts while I'm doing other things, but with the Christmas season some of my faves are on holiday...lending the perfect moment to try another audiobook. This was a really excellent overview on not just Eddie Van Halen, but the entire story of the band start to finish- ending with Eddie's passing. It even touched on aspects of Eddie's marriage to Valerie Bertinelli that I didn't know about, drawing from some of her earlier memoirs. It also covers in depth Van Halen's three different lead singers from over the years, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone, with their quotes and perceptions. It says that the hardcopy of this book is just under 300 pages, but listening to it seemed like it could have been 500 pages-but in a good way-because there was just so much information. It was also nice to hear it narrated when there were comments from each party involved, because it made the story come alive. If anyone wants to learn about not just Eddie Van Halen but the whole history of the band, this is a great book.
Thank you to Tantor Audio for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
December 26, 2021
Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story (Audio)
by Paul Brannigan
Narrated by Mike Lenz
My husband was caught in the narrative of the book, as he heard me listen to it. Mike Lenz voice calling out in the room distracted him as he heard of the notorious arguments, and moments of drama associated with the Van Halen group. I learned so much history from the group that had songs that were notes of association as think of my childhood. The arguments finally explained in a calm voice the listener would learn Eddie's voice. His history, his dreams, his struggles. Its remarkable that audiences listening to the music may never know. It is a poignant remembrance of one of the greatest musicians that colored the 1980's.
by Paul Brannigan
Narrated by Mike Lenz
My husband was caught in the narrative of the book, as he heard me listen to it. Mike Lenz voice calling out in the room distracted him as he heard of the notorious arguments, and moments of drama associated with the Van Halen group. I learned so much history from the group that had songs that were notes of association as think of my childhood. The arguments finally explained in a calm voice the listener would learn Eddie's voice. His history, his dreams, his struggles. Its remarkable that audiences listening to the music may never know. It is a poignant remembrance of one of the greatest musicians that colored the 1980's.
December 16, 2021
Damn, I miss him
December 26, 2021
Wow! I really loved this book, and very much like the feelings I had for the various incarnations of Van Halen, I didn’t want it to end. Van Halen has always been one of my favorite bands, and I would generally avoid the age old argument people loved to pose of Van Halen vs Van Hagar. I love ALL the music and my all-time favorite songs can be found on each one of those albums. The author does an excellent job sharing a detailed view of Eddie’s entire life and I was delighted with how much of the band’s history was shared in the book. It is very well written and hard to put down! Having been too young to see them perform live in the 70s and 80s but devouring all of their music, I was so excited as an adult to have purchased concert tickets only have a tour be canceled, one of many cancellations noted in the book. The book discusses at length the tumultuous relationships within the band, but it is never skewed as being one-sided or due to one individual. Many of the greatest, most prolific musicians of our time are sensitive, demanding, troubled, and beloved geniuses, and this book covers in depth all of those dimensions of Eddie Van Halen. Like many Van Halen fans, I was deeply saddened at Eddie’s passing last year and reading this book was a great trip back down memory lane for me of all the reasons this band is still one of my all-time favorites. Get ready to break out your vinyl, you’re going to want to listen to it all again after reading this excellent book.
Thank you to Tantor Media for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
Thank you to Tantor Media for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
May 10, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Tantor Audio for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fantastic book. I love a good celebrity bio and this was definitely that. I grew up during the hey day of Van Halen and I was extremely excited to be approved for this book. And this book was everything I expected. I loved hearing about the various squabbles with Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. I hadn't realized exactly how contentious the relationships were as I was a kid when all of it went down. Eddie Van Halen's music shaped my childhood and I was devastated to learn of his passing in 2020. I actually teared up while listening to the end of this book and the reading of the beautiful post Wolfgang Van Halen put out right after the death of his father.
All in all this was just a great book. The audio was fantastic. 4 solid stars!
This was a fantastic book. I love a good celebrity bio and this was definitely that. I grew up during the hey day of Van Halen and I was extremely excited to be approved for this book. And this book was everything I expected. I loved hearing about the various squabbles with Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. I hadn't realized exactly how contentious the relationships were as I was a kid when all of it went down. Eddie Van Halen's music shaped my childhood and I was devastated to learn of his passing in 2020. I actually teared up while listening to the end of this book and the reading of the beautiful post Wolfgang Van Halen put out right after the death of his father.
All in all this was just a great book. The audio was fantastic. 4 solid stars!
February 5, 2025
I am a huge Eddie Val Halen and
December 28, 2021
A terrific biography about one of the best guitarist ever, Eddie Van Halen. I just finished a autobiography about Valerie Bertinelli and she talked about her relationship with Eddie and it made me wonder what happen to him. So I was thrilled when I saw this book coming out about Eddie Van Halen and it is worth every moment I spent listening to the audiobook.
The author has put out a very objective book about Eddie Van Halen from the moment he was born to the day he died and it made me happy at times and very sad at times because it seem that something made Eddie Van Halen very sad.
I love that the author explained what went on with both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hager and Van Halen because I always wondered what exactly happen and now I know. It also explains Eddie's musical background, the start of the band and what fame did to them. I remember that when I was in high school people use to rave about Van Halen but I didn't know until this biography that he came from Pasadena which is the next town over from where I grew up.
It makes me happy that at the end of his life that Eddie Van Halen found love and peace I wish he was granted with more of it.
If your are big Van Halen fan, Eddie and Valerie fan you will love this biography it is insightful and done in a respectful way. I really liked the narrator of the audiobook.
I want to thank Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an advance copy of this biography about this extraordinary human being.
The author has put out a very objective book about Eddie Van Halen from the moment he was born to the day he died and it made me happy at times and very sad at times because it seem that something made Eddie Van Halen very sad.
I love that the author explained what went on with both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hager and Van Halen because I always wondered what exactly happen and now I know. It also explains Eddie's musical background, the start of the band and what fame did to them. I remember that when I was in high school people use to rave about Van Halen but I didn't know until this biography that he came from Pasadena which is the next town over from where I grew up.
It makes me happy that at the end of his life that Eddie Van Halen found love and peace I wish he was granted with more of it.
If your are big Van Halen fan, Eddie and Valerie fan you will love this biography it is insightful and done in a respectful way. I really liked the narrator of the audiobook.
I want to thank Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an advance copy of this biography about this extraordinary human being.
August 8, 2024
Great inside story on one of the best guitar players the world has seen 🎸🤘🏽
January 14, 2022
Like many who grew up in the early 80s, Eddie Van Halen was the reason I began playing guitar. While his music speaks for itself, his story is mysterious given how others were drawn to and repelled by him--leading to inconsistent descriptions of who he was--and the fact that he went 14 years between studio albums and died 8 years after his final official release. What was going on during all those missing years (besides occasionally reuniting with Roth and Hagar for a few songs or touring plans)?
Brannigan doesn't know. He doesn't know much about how Eddie became the astonishing guitarist he is, why descriptions of him are so varied, or what he did during the years when he wasn't touring or releasing music. What he does know primarily comes from archival sources, as there's little evidence that he interviewed anyone who could provide true insight into Eddie's character. Brannigan notes that the initial draft of this book was to be completed in 2015 but was not actually submitted until several months after Eddie's death, indicating the recognition that he needed to strike while the iron was hot. There's little evidence that Brannigan researched those 5 years with any depth, perhaps because not much had been written about Eddie and there was little for Brannigan to crib.
Once the reader gets through the prelude and initial chapter about Eddie's childhood--where Brannigan compensates for a lack of information with overblown prose--he summarizes Van Halen's existence as a band sufficiently. It's a good but shallow review of their origins, increasing fame, membership changes, and struggles through the early years with Hagar. The later years with Hagar, the Cherone album, and everything after is managed in a cursory manner with little insight or analysis.
In short, this is a cash-grab of a book by a decent writer. There are no new insights, stories, or analysis of Eddie as a player or individual. There's no research into his musicianship, relationships, or struggles with addiction. The book turns into a series of clips from articles, other biographies (notably Roth, Hagar, and Bertinelli), and YouTube videos. I look forward to a true biographer doing his or her research and writing a book worthy of one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Brannigan doesn't know. He doesn't know much about how Eddie became the astonishing guitarist he is, why descriptions of him are so varied, or what he did during the years when he wasn't touring or releasing music. What he does know primarily comes from archival sources, as there's little evidence that he interviewed anyone who could provide true insight into Eddie's character. Brannigan notes that the initial draft of this book was to be completed in 2015 but was not actually submitted until several months after Eddie's death, indicating the recognition that he needed to strike while the iron was hot. There's little evidence that Brannigan researched those 5 years with any depth, perhaps because not much had been written about Eddie and there was little for Brannigan to crib.
Once the reader gets through the prelude and initial chapter about Eddie's childhood--where Brannigan compensates for a lack of information with overblown prose--he summarizes Van Halen's existence as a band sufficiently. It's a good but shallow review of their origins, increasing fame, membership changes, and struggles through the early years with Hagar. The later years with Hagar, the Cherone album, and everything after is managed in a cursory manner with little insight or analysis.
In short, this is a cash-grab of a book by a decent writer. There are no new insights, stories, or analysis of Eddie as a player or individual. There's no research into his musicianship, relationships, or struggles with addiction. The book turns into a series of clips from articles, other biographies (notably Roth, Hagar, and Bertinelli), and YouTube videos. I look forward to a true biographer doing his or her research and writing a book worthy of one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
January 7, 2022
Gut zu lesen. Insgesamt fehlt aber die "große Erzählung" innerhalb der Biografie. Zugunsten einer recht sachlichen Aneinanderreihung von Fakten verzichtet Brannigan, auch sprachlich, auf Ausschmückungen, was am Ende eher chronistisch als literarisch wirkt. Hier hätte man die Leser*innen sicher noch mehr mitnehmen können.
November 2, 2024
I actually listened to an audiobook but it's not listed on this site for some reason. In any event, this was an insightful, interesting look at the life of Eddie Van Halen, as well as the other group members of the band from a look at Eddie and his brother Alex's childhood, (briefly) to how they started their music careers. It takes you through the David Lee Roth years, Sammy Hagar and up to his death. Lots of things I personally did not know, all of the partying, drugs, alcohol and sex. Much more than I thought this shy smiling man was into. It also gave me a new respect for Eddie as a guitar genius. I mean, I knew he was a talented player but wow, just how talented and accomplished he is was astounding. I am now so glad I got to see him when they toured with his son Wolfgang and DLR when the singer still had a voice. Glad I took this one on, I've retained a lot of knowledge I didn't possess before listening to this gem. It had a very good narrator as well.
January 19, 2022
Eddie Van Halen lead a unique life. He was a Dutch immigrant from a musical family. He and his brother created a unique sound from influences like the Beatles and Cream. Eddie also created some amazing guitar rifts and music. He was one of rock’s greatest musical talents.
Being an 80’s girl, I absolutely loved this! This brought back my past and many memories! The songs, the rockers and the history compiled in this biography is wonderful. There is so much I did not know about Eddie Van Halen. This book encompasses so much! He was such a huge talent and he lived a life full of addiction, success and strife.
The narrator, Mike Lenz did a superb job. He definitely hit the right tone!
Need a good biography about one talented individual…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.
Being an 80’s girl, I absolutely loved this! This brought back my past and many memories! The songs, the rockers and the history compiled in this biography is wonderful. There is so much I did not know about Eddie Van Halen. This book encompasses so much! He was such a huge talent and he lived a life full of addiction, success and strife.
The narrator, Mike Lenz did a superb job. He definitely hit the right tone!
Need a good biography about one talented individual…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.
April 16, 2023
A satisfying, linear progression of Eddie’s life, albeit somewhat vague in later eras. The early days leading up to the contract with Warners are well represented, but there wasn’t a lot of substance for the first Sammy era and beyond (DLR is portrayed as pretty much a prick, as I suspect is accurate). Specifically, I was hoping for a bit more indulgence into EVH’s disappointment of the public reception to III, and how that effected him going forward. Damn, Ed was such a complex dude- I went from having a man-crush on him, to loathing him over the Pat Smear incident. But who knows what really happened and what was said? I still can’t believe he’s gone, nor can I believe it’s been nearly 45 years since a friend first played an 8-track tape version of “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love” on the stereo of his Ford Torino. Long live the king, and long live the music of Van Halen.
December 22, 2021
This audio was so good. I have been on a rock bio kick for the past couple of weeks and this one did not disappoint. Honestly if you loved Eddie in Van Halen you will love this book. It gives you glimpses onto his personal and professional life. Some I already knew and others I didn’t, I did like how the author included s I;ets from other stars as well, it really balanced out the book.
Unchained was well written and I would recommend it to any ‘rock and roll’ fan!
***thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy for an honest reciew***
Unchained was well written and I would recommend it to any ‘rock and roll’ fan!
***thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy for an honest reciew***
July 31, 2022
I thought the book, the tribute to Eddie Van Halen and the Van Halen team was written superbly. I thoroughly recommend reading Valerie Bertinelli book "Enough Already" because it sets the stage for this book "Unchained The Eddie Van Halen Story" by Paul Brannigan. I read Valerie's book first and was able to get right into Unchained. Again, the story of Eddie was remarkable written. Who knows within a few years we will probably see Wolfie in concert with "Mammoth WVH" as I do not believe we have heard the last of Van Halen music.
October 17, 2024
Great story about one of the greatest guitarist ever to play. Grew up on his innovative guitar playing. Love history and love Rock & Roll. I do think the song “Unchained” is more of a Dave song with its famous “come on Dave, give me a break”, and he responds “one break coming up” but a well told story.
August 8, 2025
I've been a fan of Van Halen for years, so it was interesting to listen to this book. There was more about the various members of the band than I expected, and not just Eddie. I was also interested in hearing about the band's connection to so many of the big names in rock. I didn't love the narration, but the story, overall, was something I enjoyed. This is something EVH fans will enjoy.
August 17, 2025
Good stuff, a lot that I didn’t know about EVH. And it was an extraordinary, atypical life to read about. I always admired his guitar and even got to see the comeback tour in Baton Rouge in 2007 or 08. What a gift! Book sent me down a path of listening and re-listening to ALL of the raucous VH albums. It’s been a fun week. RIP.
December 19, 2021
My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to review the audio version of this book.
Loved it! For any fan of the band back in the day. Straightforward story, good and engaging narration. Highly recommend.
Loved it! For any fan of the band back in the day. Straightforward story, good and engaging narration. Highly recommend.
January 11, 2022
Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!
Going in I knew very little about Van Halen or Eddie Van Halen, so it was an interesting book. I can't say much more because if you knew a lot going in, it might not have many surprises or insights, but maybe it does...
Going in I knew very little about Van Halen or Eddie Van Halen, so it was an interesting book. I can't say much more because if you knew a lot going in, it might not have many surprises or insights, but maybe it does...
December 31, 2021
Very interesting and in-depth look at the "Mozart of rock", Eddie Van Halen. Special man and a revolutionary band.
January 25, 2022
The most unique and talented artist of our generation!
December 10, 2024
A great reminder of how one person can change lives — both for the good and the bad — that will lead you down several additional rabbit holes.
December 18, 2024
Bravo. Great read 📚 innovator , self made true story of living the american immigrant dream and re shaping music cultural landscape through persistance and integrity.
June 24, 2025
Love Van Halen but this would have been better as an autobiography
April 16, 2025
Not sure why I borrowed three books about a band that I don't particularly care for.
April 25, 2023
What's good is good, and as creme rises to the top, I have the guitar hero, Edward Van Halen to thank for musical creativity he inspired in me, and this terrific book from Paul Brannigan to illuminate the backstory of Ed's life as one of the mot creative and kick ass rock n' roll guitar players who ever did live.
Eddie's peak performances inspired millions of musicians worldwide, and for PJ's sake, after many years, I still can't play the solo to "Beat It," which I would argue as some of Ed's finest work.
We'll never know what might haven been, had EVH, in his "live in years," decided to explore the more instrumental side of rock guitar improvisation so neatly packaged and pioneered as the G3 Tour, by Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai. Ed's contribution to the Twister soundtrack was only the beginning of a path with untold potential left to explore by the multi-instrumental Dutchman. And as I'm sad to say the opportunity has passed, at least we have what has been recorded and documented and published, and of course memories of the music played live.
This book is a welcome and comprehensive addition to the life of a Rock N' Roll guitar legend, shredding and shedding more light on the man, the music, and the band that was Van Halen. At times it can be a mouth-full with some sentences running as long as the musician's reach and command of the instrument, but isn't that the mark of desire? To bite off more than you can chew.
Eddie's peak performances inspired millions of musicians worldwide, and for PJ's sake, after many years, I still can't play the solo to "Beat It," which I would argue as some of Ed's finest work.
We'll never know what might haven been, had EVH, in his "live in years," decided to explore the more instrumental side of rock guitar improvisation so neatly packaged and pioneered as the G3 Tour, by Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai. Ed's contribution to the Twister soundtrack was only the beginning of a path with untold potential left to explore by the multi-instrumental Dutchman. And as I'm sad to say the opportunity has passed, at least we have what has been recorded and documented and published, and of course memories of the music played live.
This book is a welcome and comprehensive addition to the life of a Rock N' Roll guitar legend, shredding and shedding more light on the man, the music, and the band that was Van Halen. At times it can be a mouth-full with some sentences running as long as the musician's reach and command of the instrument, but isn't that the mark of desire? To bite off more than you can chew.
February 21, 2022
„Eddie van Halen. Ein Leben“ von Paul Brannigan ist für Fans des Musikers (und vor allem der Band van Halen) sicher ein Schmankerl und die Lektüre ein Muss. Für diejenigen, die noch Fans werden wollen (wie ich zum Beispiel), fand ich das Buch weniger geeignet, denn es konzentriert sich nach ein paar Seiten hauptsächlich auf die Band und deren Werdegang. Es ist mit Sicherheit kein schlechtes Buch und die Recherchearbeit des Autors ein enormer Akt, aber dennoch hat es mich nicht hundertprozentig abgeholt. Oder besser gesagt: ich hatte mir durch den Titel etwas anderes vorgestellt.
Aber von vorn.
Als Sohn niederländischer Einwanderer hatte es Edward Lodewijk van Halen in den 1960er Jahren nicht leicht, in den USA Fuß zu fassen. Sein Bruder Alex übrigens auch nicht. Und sein Weg zum „Mozart der Gitarre“ war steinig. Und vor allem seiner Mutter Eugenia hätte es wohl lieber gesehen, wenn er Informatik studiert hätte. Aber, unter anderem geprägt von ihrem Vater Jan, der Berufsmusiker war, hatten die beiden Söhne andere Pläne. Und die sollten die Musikwelt nachhaltig verändern und prägen. Ursprünglich von Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin und den Beatles beeinflusst, schuf Eddie van Halen seinen eigenen Stil und wurde in den 1980er Jahren zu einer Ikone an der Gitarre. Neben seinem Werdegang beleuchtet Paul Brannigan hauptsächlich die Geschichte der Band, unterfüttert mit zahllosen Zitaten der Bandmitglieder und Wegbegleiter, ein wahres Schaulaufen des Who-is-Who der Musikwelt. Und natürlich lässt der Autor auch die Sex-Drugs-Rock’n’Roll-Aspekte nicht weg. So schreibt er neben Affären und Band-Streitereien (die Episoden mit Sänger David Lee Roth fand ich nach einer Weile wirklich nervtötend) auch über Eddie van Halens Alkohol- und Kokainsucht und seine mehrfachen Entzugsversuche, seine erste Krebsdiagnose und schließlich seinen Tod 2020 mit 65 Jahren.
So weit so gut.
Insgesamt finde ich das Buch gut und sensibel geschrieben, minutiös recherchiert und aufbereitet, aber es ist nicht das Leben von Eddie van Halen, über das der Autor da in manchmal sehr langen, verschachtelten Sätzen schreibt. Vielmehr ist es die Geschichte der Band Van Halen, zu viele Informationen über David Lee Roth inklusive. Ich möchte in einem Buch mit dem Titel „Eddie van Halen. Ein Leben“ nicht zwingend Roths Geburtsdatum erfahren und dass er wegen seines ADHS Ritalin nahm. Mehr Eddie und weniger Van Halen (die Band) hätte mir besser gefallen, da hat der Autor meiner Meinung nach die Balance nicht hundertprozentig gefunden. Das liegt vielleicht auch daran, dass das Buch auf Sekundärquellen fußt, schließlich hat Paul Brannigan Eddie van Halen nur ein einziges Mal getroffen. Viele Ausführungen und Aneinanderreihungen von Konzerten, Tourneen, Hits, Erfolgen und Misserfolgen hätte ich auch in den Archiven der einschlägigen Musikzeitschriften nachlesen können.
Da mich aber interessiert, wer und wie Eddie van Halen wirklich war, werde ich wohl die Biografie seiner ersten Frau Valerie Bertinelli noch lesen, in der Hoffnung, dass sie mir den wohl sehr sensiblen Musiker näherbringt, den Menschen, der selten zufrieden mit sich und seiner Arbeit und, so scheint es, noch seltener glücklich gewesen ist (David Lee Roth sagte in einem Interview „Ich glaube, dass Eddie van Halen keine zehn Minuten seines Erfolgs wirklich genossen hat.“). Dieses Buch hier lässt mich ziemlich unbefriedigt zurück, daher vergebe ich drei Sterne.
Aber von vorn.
Als Sohn niederländischer Einwanderer hatte es Edward Lodewijk van Halen in den 1960er Jahren nicht leicht, in den USA Fuß zu fassen. Sein Bruder Alex übrigens auch nicht. Und sein Weg zum „Mozart der Gitarre“ war steinig. Und vor allem seiner Mutter Eugenia hätte es wohl lieber gesehen, wenn er Informatik studiert hätte. Aber, unter anderem geprägt von ihrem Vater Jan, der Berufsmusiker war, hatten die beiden Söhne andere Pläne. Und die sollten die Musikwelt nachhaltig verändern und prägen. Ursprünglich von Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin und den Beatles beeinflusst, schuf Eddie van Halen seinen eigenen Stil und wurde in den 1980er Jahren zu einer Ikone an der Gitarre. Neben seinem Werdegang beleuchtet Paul Brannigan hauptsächlich die Geschichte der Band, unterfüttert mit zahllosen Zitaten der Bandmitglieder und Wegbegleiter, ein wahres Schaulaufen des Who-is-Who der Musikwelt. Und natürlich lässt der Autor auch die Sex-Drugs-Rock’n’Roll-Aspekte nicht weg. So schreibt er neben Affären und Band-Streitereien (die Episoden mit Sänger David Lee Roth fand ich nach einer Weile wirklich nervtötend) auch über Eddie van Halens Alkohol- und Kokainsucht und seine mehrfachen Entzugsversuche, seine erste Krebsdiagnose und schließlich seinen Tod 2020 mit 65 Jahren.
So weit so gut.
Insgesamt finde ich das Buch gut und sensibel geschrieben, minutiös recherchiert und aufbereitet, aber es ist nicht das Leben von Eddie van Halen, über das der Autor da in manchmal sehr langen, verschachtelten Sätzen schreibt. Vielmehr ist es die Geschichte der Band Van Halen, zu viele Informationen über David Lee Roth inklusive. Ich möchte in einem Buch mit dem Titel „Eddie van Halen. Ein Leben“ nicht zwingend Roths Geburtsdatum erfahren und dass er wegen seines ADHS Ritalin nahm. Mehr Eddie und weniger Van Halen (die Band) hätte mir besser gefallen, da hat der Autor meiner Meinung nach die Balance nicht hundertprozentig gefunden. Das liegt vielleicht auch daran, dass das Buch auf Sekundärquellen fußt, schließlich hat Paul Brannigan Eddie van Halen nur ein einziges Mal getroffen. Viele Ausführungen und Aneinanderreihungen von Konzerten, Tourneen, Hits, Erfolgen und Misserfolgen hätte ich auch in den Archiven der einschlägigen Musikzeitschriften nachlesen können.
Da mich aber interessiert, wer und wie Eddie van Halen wirklich war, werde ich wohl die Biografie seiner ersten Frau Valerie Bertinelli noch lesen, in der Hoffnung, dass sie mir den wohl sehr sensiblen Musiker näherbringt, den Menschen, der selten zufrieden mit sich und seiner Arbeit und, so scheint es, noch seltener glücklich gewesen ist (David Lee Roth sagte in einem Interview „Ich glaube, dass Eddie van Halen keine zehn Minuten seines Erfolgs wirklich genossen hat.“). Dieses Buch hier lässt mich ziemlich unbefriedigt zurück, daher vergebe ich drei Sterne.
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