Brothers: An Intimate Account of Brotherhood and Rock Music

Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music, and brotherhood in this intimate account written while mourning his younger brother Edward's untimely death. Told with New Yorker writer Ariel Levy, the memoir recounts the brothers' childhood in the Netherlands and working-class Pasadena, California, with an itinerant musician father and Indonesian-born mother who valued propriety and practicality. Alex describes their shared experiences: immigrating to the United States, living in close quarters, developing a strong work ethic, touring together, and spending countless hours in the studio. He also addresses musical conflicts, infighting, and personal struggles. The book includes tales of their rise to success, fatherhood, and the depth of understanding they developed over a lifetime together. Alex states there has never been an accurate account of the brothers or their band, and he aims to set the record straight regarding Edward's life and death. The memoir features never-before-seen photographs from the author's private archives.