Alex Van Halen Says Eddie’s Turbulent Years With Drug Use Made Him So Angry

In his upcoming memoir Brothers, Alex Van Halen reflects on how Eddie Van Halen was deeply affected by the “flashes of true brilliance” that launched Van Halen to the top of the hard rock world.

Memoir on Van Halen Brothers Set for Release

Alex Van Halen opens up about his brother Eddie in his upcoming memoir, Brothers, set to release on Oct. 22. The book delves into the personal and professional relationship between the Van Halen brothers, revealing the toll Eddie’s musical brilliance took on him. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Alex reflected on how Eddie’s genius pushed Van Halen to rock superstardom but also came with a heavy price.

“You can spend your whole life trying to make what happened before happen again,” Alex writes in Brothers. “I honestly believe that’s what cost my brother his life.”

Alex also touched on Eddie’s struggles in his later years, including substance abuse and erratic behavior. Revisiting these moments stirred up deep emotions for Alex.

“It really, really made me angry. I wanted to grab him by the throat and say, ‘What were you thinking, Ed?’ But it’s too late now.”

Alex Van Halen Reflects on Eddie’s Legacy and Unfinished Music

Despite their ups and downs, the Van Halen brothers never stopped making music. The audio version of Brothers will feature the final track they worked on together, fittingly titled “Unfinished.” According to Alex, the band was gearing up to make another album after their last show in 2015. Alex shared:

“I really wanted to emphasize that Ed was brave up until the last minute.
“At the end of the day, he’s got nothing to be ashamed of. And I wish that he was here so I could say, ‘Ed, let’s try it one more time.’ Because I know he had it in him.”

Eddie Van Halen passed away in October 2020 at the age of 65, but through the memoir, Alex hopes to honor his brother’s enduring legacy.