Alex Van Halen Reveals Roth Wanted Eddie To Play Less Guitar Solo
David Lee Roth (left) and Eddie Van Halen of the band Van Halen, performing in concert. They are standing back to back. Eddie is playing the guitar and smiling and David is holding a microphone betwen his legs. Both men are wearing multicolored outfits. (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
In his new memoir, Brothers, Alex Van Halen illuminates the tension between David Lee Roth and his late brother, Eddie Van Halen, which contributed to Roth leaving the band in 1985.
Alex Van Halen Opens Up About David Lee Roth’s Jealousy and Departure
According to Alex, Roth grew increasingly envious of Eddie’s fame and influence, leading to conflicts over Eddie’s signature guitar solos. “He couldn’t handle the fact that Eddie was getting more attention than he was,” Alex explained, recalling how Roth would often ask Eddie to play fewer solos. It seems Roth was more focused on his ambitions outside the band. “Dave was convinced he was going to be a movie star,” Alex added, hinting at Roth’s shift in priorities.
Reflecting on Roth’s departure, Alex described it as a “wasteful” moment in Van Halen’s history. He admitted that Roth’s exit was “the most disappointing thing I’d experienced in my life” until Eddie’s passing in 2020. Roth’s departure marked the end of a unique chemistry that powered the original lineup, a loss that Alex still feels deeply. He shared:
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for Dave and his work ethic.
“I just think some of his choices were really strange to me, but that’s not my job to figure it out.”
Alex’s Vision for Brothers on the Big Screen
While Roth had dreams of movie stardom, Alex has his own cinematic hopes—seeing Brothers turned into a film. He recently told Billboard that he’d love to see his memoir brought to life on screen, though he knows it’s a complex process. “I learned a long time ago not to put your hope in things that don’t exist yet,” Alex admitted, noting there are people interested in participating in the project.
As he reflects on the band’s journey and his bond with Eddie, Alex finds comfort in the idea that Eddie is still present in spirit. “His spirit’s here, and it’s not something you can grab or touch,” he shared thoughtfully. “Scientists will tell you that you cannot destroy energy – it just takes different shapes, and that’s kind of how it is for me with Ed.” For Alex, Eddie’s legacy is more than the music but a powerful, enduring connection that will always be part of him.
