Alex Van Halen

[Drummer_Boy]

Hey there. Are there any Alex Van Halen fans? I truly think he's one of the greatest drummers of rock n' roll. What do you guys think of him, and his playing? He's definately one of my favorites. He's great in the song, "Hot for Teacher".

Alex Van Halen's page on DrummerWorld. (http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Alex_Van_Halen.html)

[jamsjr44]

I will say Alex made some great contributions to rock drumming as far as making it popular, BUT when I saw him in concert a few times, he wasn't as skilled as the other rock drummers I had seen, Tommy Lee, Tico Torres, Greg Bissonette, Bobbi Blozter, Jason Bonham to name a few.

[Speedy]

Alex Van Halen is awesome! I am a fan of his as well. I rented the "Live Without a Net" DVD. I really enjoy watching them all, espically Alex. His drumsolo wasn't the best. I will admit that. But it was pretty good. Espically at the end where he really gets going. I'm not a fan of digital drums. But when I heard his digital drums, I thought they sounded pretty cool to me. He is the only exception with digital drums. Hot for teacher was a pretty cool on drums.

Why does he have those red tubes connected to his four kick drums?

[XNIRVANAX]

hes pretty good i like him.. yes hot for teacher is cool i like his drumming in unchained pretty simple but i love it

[DogBreath]

I first saw Van Halen in concert back in 1980 or '81. It was an amazing show, but everything was kind of lost in the shadow of David Lee Roth. Not that I'm complaining. He's a tremendous showman. Alex Van Halen was great way back then, and it's been interesting following his drumming from album to album.

I don't think that the band Van Halen gets enough credit for bringing rock and roll back into the mind of a world that was being hypnotised by disco.

http://www.angelfire.com/mac/keepitlive/drummers/Van_Halen/van8.jpg

"I look at Van Halen as social workers. What we're really doing is creating jobs for rock critics." - Alex Van Halen, Creem Magazine, May 1984

[Drummer_Boy]

I first saw Van Halen in concert back in 1980 or '81. It was an amazing show, but everything was kind of lost in the shadow of David Lee Roth. Not that I'm complaining. He's a tremendous showman. Alex Van Halen was great way back then, and it's been interesting following his drumming from album to album.

I don't think that the band Van Halen gets enough credit for bringing rock and roll back into the mind of a world that was being hypnotised by disco.

http://www.angelfire.com/mac/keepitlive/drummers/Van_Halen/van8.jpg

"I look at Van Halen as social workers. What we're really doing is creating jobs for rock critics." - Alex Van Halen, Creem Magazine, May 1984

You're very right, that they don't get enough credit. They really were the first in 1978 to bring good rock n' roll back, and kick Punk rock's and Disco's butt...altho I do like some Punk Rock. Also, I saw his solo in the 1983 rock festival, this DVD my uncle has, and it wasn't all that great, but pretty good. Mostly, he just hit a tom tom really fast...Also, David Lee Roth is hilarious.

[Damon Dapper]

Alex has come a long way as a Drummer in terms of his playing abilities, he's ranked as a solid rock&roll Drummer. His snare sound was his own (much like his brother's guitar) and we all came to know Alex as having the sickest drumsets around at the time. I think his best drumset creation ever made was the monster he built himself (with professional design guidence from Ludwig) in the "Jump" video. Its the Cadilac of drumsets in that its a true classic. And aside from its visual attractiveness, its a practical setup because all drums are reachable (mostly custom roto-toms) and the two outter bassdrums have speaker woofers & horn, inside them to boost the bass & low's of his live sound. The two inner bassdrums are played on and are of course the sound source routed out toward the other two outter bassdrums woofers. You can imagine the amount of amps going through the wires especially at their volume, and that explains the 2 fire extinguishers mounted on the outter bassdrums of his kit. You can see them by watching the jump video (http://music.yahoo.com/ar-267274-videos--Van-Halen). I'm sure its obvious that this kit was (and still is) very inspirational to me, and others I'm sure........LOL

But yeah, Alex is the man!


Dap.

[tylernator]

Yeah Van Halen is my favorite band!!!! They have so many great songs!! It was pretty kool because when Sammy Hagar came too my town for a concert a couple of years ago(i was only 13)Me and my family went up too the front of the stage too get a better view, and sammy saw me and he waved for me too get on stage. So my dad picked me up and i got on stage with sammy and got rock out with em!!!

Ånyway, Alex is a great drummer!! He has that unique snare sound that stands him out from the other drummers...I dont think hes the best of all time at all, but overall i think hes a very good drummer that should get more credit in my opinion...The song hot for teacher is a awesome song, but i heard the beggning was over dubbed with extra bass drum or whatever too get that sound. Is that true??

[Drummer_Boy]

Yeah Van Halen is my favorite band!!!! They have so many great songs!! It was pretty kool because when Sammy Hagar came too my town for a concert a couple of years ago(i was only 13)Me and my family went up too the front of the stage too get a better view, and sammy saw me and he waved for me too get on stage. So my dad picked me up and i got on stage with sammy and got rock out with em!!!

Ånyway, Alex is a great drummer!! He has that unique snare sound that stands him out from the other drummers...I dont think hes the best of all time at all, but overall i think hes a very good drummer that should get more credit in my opinion...The song hot for teacher is a awesome song, but i heard the beggning was over dubbed with extra bass drum or whatever too get that sound. Is that true??

You know what? Sammy Hagar and Van Halen just got together, just to tell you. I missed it unfortunately. I really wish I coulda' seen that. I'm pretty sure in Hot For Teacher, he really did play that. Anybody with 3 years experience or so could probably play that, but I dunno' since I don't have that much experience :-p
Also, how does he get that snare sound? I'd probably try and tune my snare to be like that. It's really cool.

[samuelsonmosley]

Alex Van Halen is a very good drummer;his drumming on "Outta Love Again" (VAN HALEN 2)is amazing

[rendezvous_drummer]

AMAZING DRUMMER! Hot for teacher is my personal favorite.

[Bonzo]

I will say Alex made some great contributions to rock drumming as far as making it popular, BUT when I saw him in concert a few times, he wasn't as skilled as the other rock drummers I had seen, Tommy Lee, Tico Torres, Greg Bissonette, Bobbi Blozter, Jason Bonham to name a few.

HAHAHAHA!!! Tommy Lee? Tico Torres? Bobby Blotzer? For cryin' out loud! You need to get out and see some drummers, my friend!

[Milo]

I've always liked his style and the licks he came up with. Mostly I like his sound. His drums and Paiste lineup always sounded great on the albums. That snare sound is killer! How much Ted Templeman had to do with that, I don't know.

[CaptainCharisma2]

hahaha,you all now that Alex sampled the bass drum from and old billy cobham lick..he recorded it,and than hits a trigger and he plays over it.hes overrated and not even that good.

[Stu_Strib]

HAHAHAHA!!! Tommy Lee? Tico Torres? Bobby Blotzer? For cryin' out loud! You need to get out and see some drummers, my friend!

At least he posted Greg Bissonette!

And for Alex...ehh, nothing special. I particularly hate his custom drum era (the ones he built himself) because they sounded awful. His snare drum has to be one of the most annoying ever (exception, I forget the title, but "baby come on? come on baby finish what you started?). Cool snare part.

Hot for Teacher...ughh, not this argument again. Get a simmons pad, program it for that bass drum sound, play the opening pattern twice, then set the digital delay, then go into the double bass drum part. Its really not that hard.

Stu

[CyclopseSlayer]

I think Alex has a pretty rad style, he definitely had an element of swing in his playing. Some of my favorite stuff of his is on "I'm the One" off their first record. That's a classic rock record for sure.

[Stevis]

AVH is an incredable drummer, very fun to watch. I saw one video of him playing and I really thought he was a cool drummer from then on.

[Scottylawton]

Alex Van Halen is awesome! I am a fan of his as well. I rented the "Live Without a Net" DVD. I really enjoy watching them all, espically Alex. His drumsolo wasn't the best. I will admit that. But it was pretty good. Espically at the end where he really gets going. I'm not a fan of digital drums. But when I heard his digital drums, I thought they sounded pretty cool to me. He is the only exception with digital drums. Hot for teacher was a pretty cool on drums.

Why does he have those red tubes connected to his four kick drums?

I don't know if this is true or at all possible but i have heard he pumps air into his drums i think to get rid of some of the resonance. Thats all ive heard personally i don't think thats entirely correct but anywho.

[CJdrumfan]

You mean Alex "Bochephus Bo-Halen" as he's referred to by Sammy Hagar in the Live Without a Net concert film? Alex Van Halen was a HUGE inspiration to me when I was a teenager, and still is. Great great drum and cymbal sounds... I personally really like the fact that he has put together some of the neatest drum setups ever! I love the one he had for the Fair Warning Tour (black and white striped Ludwig smoked vistalites), you can see it if you have VH-1 Classic during Rock Fest of Metal Mania shows... they sometimes show live clips for Unchained, Hear About It Later or So This Is Love?

One of the best at the "fast rock shuffle" feel (for lack of a better name). Everyone knows about Hot For Teacher, but check out Hang Em High... he is SO underrated because of his little brother (uh, what's his name again?)

Had the good fortune to meet him in '98 (yeah, Gary Cherone era, I know) and he was a very warm, nice guy, smiled a lot. I told him "I'm a drummer too". He said, "yeah, cool." and then I said, "you messed up my technique". He had a puzzled look on his face then I told him "all rimshots on the 2 and 4 backbeats from listening to you man!" (He got the joke) We shared a big laugh, posed for a picture then it was over. I have a very blurry photo due to poor lighting and a disposable camera. But man, was it ever great to meet one of my heroes.

[ChrisD]

Alex has been a big influence on me.I found after "1984" however that he started doing the same fills on all most of the albums.His best work was on "Van Halen 2" and "1984" I think.

[Stu_Strib]

Alex has been a big influence on me.I found after "1984" however that he started doing the same fills on all most of the albums.His best work was on "Van Halen 2" and "1984" I think.

I think that is a pretty fair assessment. Actually a lot of us Van Halen fans really lost interest with Van Hagar. I think all those Dave albums were much different overall for the whole band, and not just because Sammy took over. With 5150 and OU812 (Hagar) era, they just went in a different direction. After that, I really just stopped listening. I would have liked to have seen them live with Hagar singing the early album stuff, since I like his voice better than Dave's, but for some reason, I'm thinking he wouldn't pull it off convincingly. Anyone seen Haggar sing the old stuff live?

I think Van Halen I, and 1984 are two of the best Rock and Roll albums ever recorded, not for the drumming, but just for the overall quality of most every song.

[Drummer_Boy]

I think that is a pretty fair assessment. Actually a lot of us Van Halen fans really lost interest with Van Hagar. I think all those Dave albums were much different overall for the whole band, and not just because Sammy took over. With 5150 and OU812 (Hagar) era, they just went in a different direction. After that, I really just stopped listening. I would have liked to have seen them live with Hagar singing the early album stuff, since I like his voice better than Dave's, but for some reason, I'm thinking he wouldn't pull it off convincingly. Anyone seen Haggar sing the old stuff live?

I think Van Halen I, and 1984 are two of the best Rock and Roll albums ever recorded, not for the drumming, but just for the overall quality of most every song.

Actually, I have their "Best of Both Worlds" album, and it's great. Although, Sam Hagar doesn't do very good with the David Lee Roth songs. I think I just like Diamond Dave better. :-p Also, I'm pretty sure from the concert footage I've seen of the Reunion Tour, the only reason Van Hagar wouldn't do very good, is because, he just doesn't have the spirit and flamboyance of David Lee Roth. I still like Hagar though.."5150" was his best album with them. Also, I think I like "Women and Children First", second to "1984".

[Stu_Strib]

Actually, I have their "Best of Both Worlds" album, and it's great. Although, Sam Hagar doesn't do very good with the David Lee Roth songs. I think I just like Diamond Dave better. :-p Also, I'm pretty sure from the concert footage I've seen of the Reunion Tour, the only reason Van Hagar wouldn't do very good, is because, he just doesn't have the spirit and flamboyance of David Lee Roth. I still like Hagar though.."5150" was his best album with them. Also, I think I like "Women and Children First", second to "1984".

You don't think Van Halen I was the best ever????

[Drummer_Boy]

Well Van Halen 1 was very influential, it'd probably be my 3rd favorite album from Van Halen. It was pretty much the first rock album to just kick Punk and Disco's butt...I like all their albums though. =P

[Stu_Strib]

Well Van Halen 1 was very influential, it'd probably be my 3rd favorite album from Van Halen. It was pretty much the first rock album to just kick Punk and Disco's butt...I like all their albums though. =P

Along with Highway to Hell.

[fusssion]

Fair Warning is my favorite!

[Mario Vincent]

Who said Tommy Lee was better than Alex Van Halen, that was a joke right?

Anyways, I really think Alex is a good drummer, both in showmanship and musicianship.
A great example of his style is on the track Girls Gone Bad off of 1984.

I saw Van Hagar in concert and he did a little solo, not nessesarily the most inventive but technicaly I'd say it was pretty good.

Also, love love love his use of Rotos and those octoban thingys

He's not the greatest drummer every but Van Halen wouldn't have been half the band (or (guess 3/4) without him.

[Drummer_Boy]

LOL yeah, I don't see how Tommy Lee could be better than Alex Van Halen. But, Tommy Lee is alright. He's just popular since he was in Motley Crue, a hair metal band in the 80's.

[PearlDrummer014]

this guys reel good. i love his octobans on the dvd. really cool solo.

[rodie]

solid rock drummer, definitely...hot for teacher, definitely his showpiece...roth vs hagar, love 'em both, for different reasons, (cherone, ummm....no). alex vs. tommy lee, tommy was more diverse in his chops, i think. apples and oranges, mostly.

one thing i don't care for is alex's signature over-wash, from all his cymbals. i say signature because i can pick out unfamiliar van halen tunes by it. that "wall of sound" crap should have died with phil spector's career....

hehe, read in an interview with eddie that he and alex switched places (alex was guitar player originally) because alex could play "wipeout" and eddie couldn't. what a different world it would be if it was the other way around eh?

[JohnMunsey]

Hot for Teacher was definitely a huge moment for Alex. People are STILL trying to figure it out. I just wish Alex did drum clinics!!

His solo on Live without a net is awesome.

[midwestrecovering]

I have always loved Alex's style and especially the huge customized Ludwig kits. Did you know that Alex actually started their career playing with a Tama Crystar "acrylic" drum outfit? Then eventually switched to Ludwig..Even though his main sets are Ludwig, he has used North Toms, even Straccotto toms as well just to give his kit a different sound plus the blend of a futuristic work. The octa-bons that he uses are very cool looking and sounding, were are made by Pearl. If you notice there is no Ludwig small classic lugs.
On ALEXS Black/White Pattern "F" Verical Bar Rainbow Vistalite set the you will notice a few of the larger drums (bass drums and few larger rack toms as you don't see the stripes on the inner side of the toms or bass drums) were coated with what they call Vibrafibing. It is a coating that help project the sound, reinforces the interior of the drum shell especiall when they have multiple seams like the Vertical Bar sets which I've repaired many from seam cracks and replacing several panels in various sized drums, it was design that was very attractive but it had some real problems with staying togather..I think they should have discarded it from production, but then, what other patterns could you have came up with? Some of the toms were originally double headed and some were not. I personally would like to know how they packed away those huge bass drums after a concert.
Alex uses a hammered brass and bronze 6.5"x14" Ludwig Supersensitive snare drum. He tunes it to what he calls the brown sound. Every drummer is different
...
Alex will always rock!!! - Don't knock the man - He is a musician not a superstar!!
Do you think it's easy comming up with different beats, solos, ect. for each new song or remember the older ones? Put yourself in his shoes. I don't think so....

[Drummer_Boy]

I have always loved Alex's style and especially the huge customized Ludwig kits. Did you know that Alex actually started their career playing with a Tama Crystar "acrylic" drum outfit? Then eventually switched to Ludwig..Even though his main sets are Ludwig, he has used North Toms, even Straccotto toms as well just to give his kit a different sound plus the blend of a futuristic work. The octa-bons that he uses are very cool looking and sounding, were are made by Pearl. If you notice there is no Ludwig small classic lugs.
On ALEXS Black/White Pattern "F" Verical Bar Rainbow Vistalite set the you will notice a few of the larger drums (bass drums and few larger rack toms as you don't see the stripes on the inner side of the toms or bass drums) were coated with what they call Vibrafibing. It is a coating that help project the sound, reinforces the interior of the drum shell especiall when they have multiple seams like the Vertical Bar sets which I've repaired many from seam cracks and replacing several panels in various sized drums, it was design that was very attractive but it had some real problems with staying togather..I think they should have discarded it from production, but then, what other patterns could you have came up with? Some of the toms were originally double headed and some were not. I personally would like to know how they packed away those huge bass drums after a concert.
Alex uses a hammered brass and bronze 6.5"x14" Ludwig Supersensitive snare drum. He tunes it to what he calls the brown sound. Every drummer is different
...
Alex will always rock!!! - Don't knock the man - He is a musician not a superstar!!
Do you think it's easy comming up with different beats, solos, ect. for each new song or remember the older ones? Put yourself in his shoes. I don't think so....


Wow, you're more of an AVH addict than I am. LOL

[DrumNut]

Can Alex do a drum clinic?

[Fish]

I must admit, AVH was definately one of my bigger influences in the 80's. Still is I guess.
He is in my top 5, along with Neil Peart (my No.1) , Bonzo, Jeff Porcaro and Tre Cool, all of them for different reasons, but that's a personal view, everyone's would & should be different, as is everyone's tastes.

I think trying to compare or rate one drummer against another is a waste of time and is unfair to the drummers in question. They aren't in competition with each other, they have to fit the band and the style of music they play.

As I live in Australia, I have only had 1 chance to see VH live, in 98, with Gary Cherone....yes....I know....what a mistake. But the band ROCKED, AVH was great, with EVH and MA going nuts together, truely amazing outfit.

[Crazy]

AVH is a great drummer although we haven't seen him do astonishing chops or whatever, he is great for the music they play and sometimes comes up with sweet little patterns.

Undeniably the drumkit he had in the "jump" video was one of the best I've ever seen....better than Bozzio's in my opinion

[mlehnertz]

I used to think the same thing about Bobby Blotzer but then I listened to a solo that he did for Yamaha and, believe it or not, he was actually very good. Not saying I like him more or less than Alex, but he's probably underrated as a player.

HAHAHAHA!!! Tommy Lee? Tico Torres? Bobby Blotzer? For cryin' out loud! You need to get out and see some drummers, my friend!

[TravisFans]

Alex Van Halen Sticks ROCKS! 17 5/8'' long! whoa, just too long. but i love to play with these sticks!

[Thinshells]

AVH is a great drummer although we haven't seen him do astonishing chops or whatever, he is great for the music they play and sometimes comes up with sweet little patterns.

Undeniably the drumkit he had in the "jump" video was one of the best I've ever seen....better than Bozzio's in my opinion

Actually his 1984 album has some great chops. I have seen him live, and he can do plenty. There are not too many drummers you could name in the rock world that Alex could not equal. And that means double kick work as well.

[cdawg_2010]

I love his solo on "Right Here, Right Now". Even though it might not be the best solo ever, i think its a good one because he shows how tecnical he can get and i like it for that reason that hes not trying to show off just showing what he can do

[t-bone]

alex is a great drummer for the same reason ringo was, or charlie watts......he plays what works well within the context of the song......as opposed to walking all over it.....he was a huge influence on my playing, and is still one of my favorite drummers today......

someone had mentioned that he thought the "1984" kit was rad.....check out the kit he used for the" 0U812" tour......now that kit was sick.....6 kick drums, a north kit, an electronic kit and a conventional ( well, for alex, hahahaha) kit......that set-up was quite the mofo.....

i've seen van halen 5 or 6 times, and he has yet to disappoint me with his performance.....

my 2 cents........

[Ced91071]

AVH is legendary as fas drummers go! Have you tried his sticks?

[JStuart]

HAHAHAHA!!! Tommy Lee? Tico Torres? Bobby Blotzer? For cryin' out loud! You need to get out and see some drummers, my friend!

hahaha yes I Agree, get out and see some Drummers such as Steve Gadd, Mike Portnoy, Dom Famularo, Virgil Donati, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Coliuta, Tommy Aldridge and Neil Peart just to name a few.

[mesabplayer]

Been a HUGE VH fan since '78..Alex is way underrated. His snare sound has never been captured, though..Landee did a great job with Ed's " brown sound", but the snare always sounded small to me....Anyone agree?

[DrumNut]

Why doesnt Alex do a drum clinic if he's so good. It's one thing to perform for the general public, another to perform for drummers

[rjvsmb]

Why doesnt Alex do a drum clinic if he's so good. It's one thing to perform for the general public, another to perform for drummers

Is it mandatory that you have to do clinics in order to be considered good or great? A call out to all drummers - make sure you do some clinics or you'll never amount to anything.


Give me a f***king break.

[DrumNut]

I dont think that language will be tolerated in this forum, first of all. If you want to debate fine, but don't get foul on me.

I didnt say it was mandatory, but some drummers just play with bands and dont teach or do things for our community. I just think it would be nice if he shared his expertise, cause a lot of us would like it.

A lot of these commercially successful drummers seem to hide

[rjvsmb]

I dont think that language will be tolerated in this forum, first of all. If you want to debate fine, but don't get foul on me.

I didnt say it was mandatory, but some drummers just play with bands and dont teach or do things for our community. I just think it would be nice if he shared his expertise, cause a lot of us would like it.

A lot of these commercially successful drummers seem to hide


I apologize for the profanity.

The part of your initial statement that caught me attention was, "Why doesn’t Alex do a drum clinic if he's so good." Doing or not doing clinics has absolutely nothing to do with his talent or lack there of (whatever side of the fence you stand). I think it's great when a drummer shares what he/she knows about the craft.

My dad has been a professional drummer for almost 50 years, and is a damn good drummer (if I do say so myself). He's played in small clubs, big venues, played with big names and no names. Very educated in the history, technique and musicality of drums (and other instruments), and passes on what he has learned over the years by giving private lessons. But, I can tell you that he would not feel comfortable presenting himself in a clinic setting.

So, whether someone does clinics or not, has absolutely no bearing on ability.

[DrumNut]

good points..........

[cdawg_2010]

Alot of good drummers never have done a clinic and there still good

[snake54198]

im a big fan of van halen i even think eddie is the best guitarists of his generation, alex i truly think is under rated but not by much,he has a simple approch to drums but still he can make simple and complex fills to suit a song so well


Great drummer

[Stu_Strib]

im a big fan of van halen i even think eddie is the best guitarists of his generation, alex i truly think is under rated but not by much,he has a simple approch to drums but still he can make simple and complex fills to suit a song so well


Great drummer

As a drummer I can tell when a guitarist is really pretty good...moreso than guitarists can tell when a drummer is good. My point being that I really think Eddie Van Halen is leagues ahead of Alex on their respective instruments.

[foghorn2]

As a drummer I can tell when a guitarist is really pretty good...moreso than guitarists can tell when a drummer is good. My point being that I really think Eddie Van Halen is leagues ahead of Alex on their respective instruments.

That's funny, I always thought Alex was the real star of the band and Eddie was the overrated guitarist that got all the attention. But what do we know, we're just drummers.

"Hot for Teacher" is simply an amazing song with amazing drumming.

[SilentKnight]

Got it bad, got it bad, got it baad! I'm hot fot teacher!!


Great drum-lines.

[DrumNut]

Does anyone know what Alex is doing today?

Does he teach? I bet he can make $200 an hour teaching lol

[pcmckay]

Alex V. is one of the most underated rock drummers ever. I have always enjoyed listening to VH. I feel Alex was very innovative and fit their music perfectly. I definately prefer VH with David Lee Roth instead of Sammy. They became a different band with Hagar, but not a better one. I have been listening to VH since 1978, and one of my favorite Alex tracks is " Loss of Control" on "Women and Children First." Great double bass work here!

[AVH rules the world]

Hey im a big Alex fan and i just wanted to say that i think he's really underrated and that i think he's one of the best rock drummers of all time. I espically like his drum solo on the right here right now cd

[thumper]

I saw VH on their "Women and Children First" tour-His kit blew me away-FOUR zebra striped bass drums! Alex and Eddie did an awesome "duo solo" together...that was the highlight of the show for me...

[tambian89]

At least he posted Greg Bissonette!
Stu

Hey Stu:

Have you ever listened to David Lee Roth's project with Steve Vai, Greg Bissonette, and Billy Sheehan? The album is called Eat 'Em and Smile, and Bissonette does a great job on the song "Goin' Crazy".

As for Alex Van Halen:

I love his drum parts, since some can be pretty simple, like Panama, and others can be pretty complicated, like Hot for Teacher. All in all, I think he knows what he's doing, and he does it well. Alex established himself in Van Halen, and I think his drum sound, though pitched too high for my taste, fits in perfectly with Eddie Van Halen's "Brown Sound". I can't understand why Stu hates his sound; although I would't use the sound myself (which could be similar with Stu, and thus the reason he hates the sound), I think it just compliments the whole auro of Van Halen in the good ol' days (before Hagar, who I absolutely detest).

- Marc

[lilblakdak]

Considering my plates on my truck are DVRDWN, I should post something here. Alex is a phenominal talent. Listen to some of the tasteful grooves he lays down on lesser known VH songs Like Big Bad Bill, Light Up The Sky, Sinners Swing and Girl Gone Bad. The man is extremely versatile but he knows his brother and Diamond Dave, and later Sammy were the stars. So he just sits back and provides the solid base for Eddies guitar gymnastics.

BTW: Hot For Teacher isnt a digital kick with delay. Its very easy when You sit down and figure it out. There are 3 main parts.All played separately quite simple but when you put them together it sounds terrific. 1st you play a shuffle pattern with yur feet using your lefft foot to play the hihat and snare parts. Once you get that established put in the tom parts with your left hand and the ride with your right. It takes alot of practice but it can be done.

[cdawg_2010]

I enjoy listenin to this guy play. he's one of my influences and i love how he plays with roto-toms in the jumo video

[harryconway]

First time I saw Van Halen play was 1969. They were called Genesis. Actually saw David Lee Roth sing in a band called Red Ball Jet before he joined up with Alex and Edward. I can tell you Budgie (and it's drummers) was a big influence on Van Halen. Ray Phillips and Pete Boot were the 2 Budgie drummers and during those early years Van Halen was playing Budgie covers. When "In For The Kill" came out with Boot, he was playing a kit with a floor tom mounted as a rack tom. Alex followed. Van Halen played several songs off that album. Since they were THE local Pasadena band, I saw them a lot. Another big influence on them was a band called Captain Beyond. Van Halen did several of their songs, and C.B. was obscure enough a lot of people thought the songs were Van Halen originals. I think Bobby Caldwell was the drummer for C.B., with Lee Dorman on bass and Rhino on guitar. I think Alex is a great rock drummer. Picks up a lot of influences and makes them his own. A great showman and entertainer.

[a_rockdrummer]

alex van halen, one of the greatest of all time with out
any doubt. i have been playing drums for 28 years and i have
seen or herd them all and alex van halen should be in the top 5 greats.
the man put's so many differnt styles into his playing and soloing unlike
many drummers of past or present alex vh is a true drumming legend.

[toteman2]

BTW: Hot For Teacher isnt a digital kick with delay. Its very easy when You sit down and figure it out. There are 3 main parts.All played separately quite simple but when you put them together it sounds terrific. 1st you play a shuffle pattern with yur feet using your lefft foot to play the hihat and snare parts. Once you get that established put in the tom parts with your left hand and the ride with your right. It takes alot of practice but it can be done.


It's not a digital kick with delay, however it is a simmons pad that was overdubbed into the track...I read the interview with Alex in Moddern Drummer...Alot of people don't realize this...

I can only think of maybe 1 or 2 people who could actually play the intro...Niether of them were Alex. "Very easy", is not a term that should be used to describe playing that part..

[Cuauhtemoc]

Other than ripping off Billy Cobham's double bass beat on "Hot For Teacher" (BTW, if a drummer is so great why do we only talk about something he did 22 years ago) he also does that same crash/ride beat at the beginning of most songs before playing his loose hi hat under the same beat. Sometimes it's like listening to hip hop and those same repetitive beats they offer at times.

He's solid and has had a great career and has performed under the stress of success but I defintely think he was born into the right family.

[Zardoz]

It's not a digital kick with delay, however it is a simmons pad that was overdubbed into the track...I read the interview with Alex in Moddern Drummer...Alot of people don't realize this...

First time I've heard the specifics of that rumor. How sad.

He's an average rock drummer. Unfortunately, the constant use of the open hi-hat in every single song, for almost the entire length of the song, just irritates my ears. I call him Alex "Wwwwwssssshhhhh" VanHalen. Eddie is definitely the most talented, while Michael Anthony.....well.....for those of you who've seen his solo on 'Without A Net' know what I'm talking about (that CAN'T be real Jack Daniels!).

[mikeybbdrummin]

Alex V. is one of the most underated rock drummers ever. I have always enjoyed listening to VH. I feel Alex was very innovative and fit their music perfectly. I definately prefer VH with David Lee Roth instead of Sammy. They became a different band with Hagar, but not a better one. I have been listening to VH since 1978, and one of my favorite Alex tracks is " Loss of Control" on "Women and Children First." Great double bass work here!

I agree. "Im the One" from VH1 is also a great one w/double bass. Obviously not as popular w/out that H.F.T. drum intro.
Alex is without a doubt one of my biggest influences ( # 3 ) in my playing. VH2 had "Light up the Sky" w/that cool drum break. Plus "Outta love Again". Very cool beat, rock/funky and fun to play. W. & C. First w/ "Loss of Control" is another good display of great Alex.
Fair Warning had "Sinners Swing". Another good one. That album had very different drums in each song. Diver down was a good drum album. 1984, "Girl gone Bad" of course "H.F.T. 5150 w "Dreams". I still cant get that fill at the intro of the guitar solo. Close though. OU812 "Finish what ya Started" Again very fun to play. Remember "Just cause its not fast does not mean its not good".
Anyway just my thoughts. Great drumming. Alot of cool beats and fills w/out over doing it
Gotta love him!.
And dont forget that..." Big bad Bill is sweet William Now!.......................HA, HA, HA......

[Crazy]

Is it mandatory that you have to do clinics in order to be considered good or great? A call out to all drummers - make sure you do some clinics or you'll never amount to anything.


Give me a f***king break.

for sure it's not mandatory but it will be cool seeing the guy perform in a clinic

[laurenskye]

It's not a digital kick with delay, however it is a simmons pad that was overdubbed into the track...I read the interview with Alex in Moddern Drummer...Alot of people don't realize this...

I can only think of maybe 1 or 2 people who could actually play the intro...Niether of them were Alex. "Very easy", is not a term that should be used to describe playing that part..

That would explain why he never did that beginning to "Hot For Teacher" everytime I've seen them live.
The best thing about Alex was he used one drum (Ludwig) through his entire carreer. I can't stand it when I see an add with a famous drummer that says something like "I'd never play anything else" then next year thier playing something else. I know they get endorsed but these are people that could afford to play anything, why wouldn't they play with the brand that they really like?

[Stu_Strib]

I can only think of maybe 1 or 2 people who could actually play the intro...Niether of them were Alex. "Very easy", is not a term that should be used to describe playing that part..

Do you mean the 8th/16th notes that are played on the simmons drum? That isn't terribly difficult. It takes a few cracks at the pattern, but once you got the pattern down, you just have to work the practice pad for awhile. It is challengingly fast, but not too hard. I'm far from the fastest drummer and I use that two bar pattern as a warmup drill.

[laurenskye]

I think he means playing the Simmons hand part with your feet and the other tom parts over the top of that with your hands (like it sounds on disk.)

[intooder]

Anyone else hear this analogy:
Edison:Ben Franklin = AVH:Bonham

In fact from more than 1 source. Although, I can't say I totally agree.

[mikeybbdrummin]

I have played "Hot for Teacher" in clubs dozens of times. Do I know it beat for beat? NO.
I think its 90% like it sounds to me. Definatly good enough and close enough to what Alex played to get people jumping.

[toteman2]

Do you mean the 8th/16th notes that are played on the simmons drum? That isn't terribly difficult. It takes a few cracks at the pattern, but once you got the pattern down, you just have to work the practice pad for awhile. It is challengingly fast, but not too hard. I'm far from the fastest drummer and I use that two bar pattern as a warmup drill.

I'm talking about the opening bass drum riff to "hot for teacher"...I"m not even sure of the notation because it sounds like too many beats bunched together...The actual shuffle groove isn't really hard at all, but the intro almost sounds like "Bannana Peels" http://www.virgildonati.com/sounds/stretch/stretch-trk-06.mp3, only more notes bunched in and very mechanical..."Hot for teacher" sounded like it was overdubbed to me, and sure enough it was...

[Stu_Strib]

This is an old argument, that has been proven elsewhere. The part IS a simmons pad and it was overdubbed. In concert, he would start the part on a pre-programmed sequencer, then he would come in with the (relatively easy) bass drum shuffle/ride/tom part.

I can't find it at the moment but Danny Britt breaks it down for you (all the parts, intro, first part, adding the ride, then the tom)..

http://http://www.dannybritt.com/

[LinearDrummer]

This is an old argument, that has been proven elsewhere. The part IS a simmons pad and it was overdubbed. In concert, he would start the part on a pre-programmed sequencer, then he would come in with the (relatively easy) bass drum shuffle/ride/tom part.

WOW...propz for the info.....
I had wondered for years how he pulled that intro off...

[cdawg_2010]

Eddie is definitely the most talented, while Michael Anthony.....well.....for those of you who've seen his solo on 'Without A Net' know what I'm talking about (that CAN'T be real Jack Daniels!).
that solo always scares me.lol he freaks me out

[Wormsrock]

Pretty darn good drummer. Not my personal fav, but VERY good.

[t-bone]

I saw VH on their "Women and Children First" tour-His kit blew me away-FOUR zebra striped bass drums! Alex and Eddie did an awesome "duo solo" together...that was the highlight of the show for me...

hey bro.....you must have seen the "fair warning" tour in 1981....that's when he started using the 4 kick drum set-up....the " women and children first" set was a huge white ludwig kit, with 2 kicks....but they had a black corrugated tube running from the front kick to the back kick......

i remember that tour.......it was the first time i had seen van halen, and i was absolutely blown away......they played with so much fire, i'm surprised the arena i seen them in didn't explode....and what made it better was i was in the front row on the floor....

just killer..................

[PreppieNerd]

I know I'm a dork (though most of us are), but does anyone know what ride cymbal Alex used on 1984?

[cdawg_2010]

i no he used an e-kit on some of it. also, he uses paiste, so it's probably paiste

[harryconway]

I have always loved Alex's style and especially the huge customized Ludwig kits. Did you know that Alex actually started their career playing with a Tama Crystar "acrylic" drum outfit? Then eventually switched to Ludwig.
I saw Genesis (that's what Van Halen was called) summer of 1970, free concert in Hastings Ranch Park, and Alex was playing Ludwigs.

[firesticks]

alex van halen as far as i'm concernd is one
of the top 5 all around drummers in the world.
this man is a true great. the differn't styles he
puts in his drumming and soloing you dont
here other drummers do PERIOD. hes a true
legend and yes hes much better than john bonham.
i have been playing for 35 years i know whats going on.

[NUTHA JASON]

oooh welldone. two posts and you've revealed alot ...about yourself, not much about drumming tho.

Some of Al's early bands, all of which included Edward in the mix, were The Broken Combs (who performed lunchtime concerts at Hamilton Elementary School and featured Alex on saxophone), The Trojan Rubber Company, Genesis, and The Space Brothers. Among his influences are Buddy Rich, Keith Moon, John Bonham and Ginger Baker.


Alex would disagree with you.

j

[Stu_Strib]

Alex Van Halen, an all-around drummer? You mean all around the 80s rock music drummer?

[harryconway]

Before David Lee Roth joined the brothers, he was in Red Ball Jet (horrible, just bloody horrible band) in 1970. When he joined Genesis (Van Halen), they had a different bass player (Mark Stone). The boys changed the name to Mammoth ('cause the English band Genesis was breaking). Then another name change to Space Brothers (and they briefly had a keyboard player). Name change back to Mammoth (Mark Stone left, Mike Anthony entered the picture). Name change to Van Halen around 1974. All thru those years they were a cover band. Did a few Budgie songs. Captain Beyond. Lots of Black Sabbath. I don't remember them ever doing any Leppelin covers, and I never thought Alex to have a Bonham influence. Heavily influenced by Ray Phillips and Pete Boot (both Budgie drummers). And Frank Beard.

[firesticks]

Before David Lee Roth joined the brothers, he was in Red Ball Jet (horrible, just bloody horrible band) in 1970. When he joined Genesis (Van Halen), they had a different bass player (Mark Stone). The boys changed the name to Mammoth ('cause the English band Genesis was breaking). Then another name change to Space Brothers (and they briefly had a keyboard player). Name change back to Mammoth (Mark Stone left, Mike Anthony entered the picture). Name change to Van Halen around 1974. All thru those years they were a cover band. Did a few Budgie songs. Captain Beyond. Lots of Black Sabbath. I don't remember them ever doing any Leppelin covers, and I never thought Alex to have a Bonham influence. Heavily influenced by Ray Phillips and Pete Boot (both Budgie drummers). And Frank Beard. dude what are you talking about heres another fine exsample of someone opening there mouth and nothing coming out. alex van halen 3 main influances were keith moon, ginger baker and buddy ritch he was NOT a big fan of john bonham in almost 30 years i hered him mention bonham twice.
please you people need to check out other sites and see bonham is'nt much most drummers find him good a best and overrated. dont take my word for it look arround and see for you self.

[harryconway]

dude what are you talking about heres another fine exsample of someone opening there mouth and nothing coming out. alex van halen 3 main influances were keith moon, ginger baker and buddy ritch he was NOT a big fan of john bonham in almost 30 years i hered him mention bonham twice.
please you people need to check out other sites and see bonham is'nt much most drummers find him good a best and overrated. dont take my word for it look arround and see for you self.
My words exactly as you quoted them, "I don't remember them ever doing' any Zeppelin covers, and I never thought Alex to have a Bonham influence" So where do I say anything contrary. I can't say I quite know where you're coming from. I mention the 2 drummers from Budgie and Frank Beard as influences. Van Halen did ZZ Top covers and Budgie covers. Alex even set up his Ludwigs in similar fashion to Pete Boot, right after the "In for the Kill" album came out. Van Halen used to do a song called "Eyes In The Night" in which they pretty blatently copied the chorus from "Whiskey River" by Budgie. Later they stopped doing that song 'cause it was a little to close to plagerism.

[franklinj]

You know, Ive been listening to VH for a while, and I never really played their stuff. It is really fun though. I know this might sound a little dumb, but playing along to Dance the Night Away is actually really fun. Same with Jamies Crying and some other stuff. Try it.

[lilblakdak]

Why is it dumb.? I love jammin to VH tunes.

[DogBreath]

Agreed, not dumb at all. Van Halen has some great songs to jam to.

[franklinj]

Well, I figured that most people would jam to Hot for Teacher and not Dance the Night Away.

[lilblakdak]

Dance has the cool little cowbell riff at the beginning, and its got a good laid back groove. Even though Alex wasnt really influenced by Bonham their styles are quite similar in that alot of Alex's stuff is more based on feel than technique. I've heard alot of guys play VH songs note for note but it still didnt have that great feel that Alex has.

[mikeybbdrummin]

Well, I figured that most people would jam to Hot for Teacher and not Dance the Night Away.

There are good songs to play too on every album. The two songs you named I like to jam to the least. I like to play H.F.T. in clubs (never really at home) because it gets everyone going. And "Dance" gets played on radio so much I can do w/out it.

[Stu_Strib]

Ybut playing along to Dance the Night Away is actually really fun. Same with Jamies Crying and some other stuff. Try it.


Or you can jam to Tone Loc "Funky Cold Medina" since that is a sample of Jamie's Cryin'.

Van Halen I, is one of the best albums in rock 'n roll history (top 10 in my book).

[NUTHA JASON]

dude what are you talking about heres another fine exsample of someone opening there mouth and nothing coming out. alex van halen 3 main influances were keith moon, ginger baker and buddy ritch he was NOT a big fan of john bonham in almost 30 years i hered him mention bonham twice.
please you people need to check out other sites and see bonham is'nt much most drummers find him good a best and overrated. dont take my word for it look arround and see for you self.

you have a weird way of winning people's agreement. first of all, phrases like: ' fine exsample of someone opening there mouth and nothing coming out' show acomplete lack of respect for another member or the rules of the forum. second of all you need to humble yourself A LOT. there are plenty of instances and citations where alex has mentioned john as his hero or influence including interviews with him in modern drummer, drummerworld and a load of forums. i strongly suggest that members shouldn't take your word for it because a simple google search for the terms 'alex van halen bonham' will show how sorely mistaken you are. i have a giant collection of drumming magazines and bonham's name is in nearly every one. i suggest you check out other sites and see that bonham is 'much most drummers find him good a best'.

j

ps: i stand by my DW forum rule:
DONT BASH BONZO

[harryconway]

alex van halen as far as i'm concernd is one
of the top 5 all around drummers in the world.
this man is a true great. the differn't styles he
puts in his drumming and soloing you dont
here other drummers do PERIOD. hes a true
legend and yes hes much better than john bonham.
i have been playing for 35 years i know whats going on.
And 36 years ago I was watching Van Halen (Genesis) play live...

[infernal drummer]

this guys reel good. i love his octobans on the dvd. really cool solo.


what dvd is that? ive seen live without net, and i dont hear him use them what so ever :(

i think they are more of a "show off" :)

cool snare he has.. great drumming

[t-bone]

i think he's talking about the toronto gig they did during the " balance " tour......it was aired on much music, and rumour has it the band wanted to make it into a dvd.....i have a copy of that gig, it was stellar.............

[mikeybbdrummin]

Alex needs to make a video like most drummers are doing. Not for the money of course. Just to show first hand some of his more complicated drumming. And what he is up to in his drumming today. I would definatly buy it.

[t-bone]

good call mike......alex is definitely a lot more techincal than he shows on the van halen albums.....i think he's like eddie though.......prefers to stay out of the spotlight when he can......just wants to play......
i wish the van halen brothers would get off their asses and do something though.....they are far too talented to let it all fall apart...............

[mikeybbdrummin]

I always wondered if Alex got offers to play on albums w/people other than VH. Like Tommy Lee and I belive Bozzio did on a Richard Marx album about 12-15 years ago.
What about AVH, Billy Sheehan and Alex Lifeson? That might be very cool.

[panksy]

AVH is my and has been my hero ever since my dad introduced him to me when i started drumming 6 years ago i have been tryin to play that hot for teacher part for 3 years and i cant do it however much i try and i would love to see him do a clinic with thomas lang he is one of the most inspirational drummers to me anyway.

[Tama Player]

I love to listen to him he is a very good drummer, in fact, my dad named me after him(Alex was a family name anyway)

[Fullback32]

Eddie is definitely the most talented, while Michael Anthony.....well.....

Ok...jump into a fray with my first post...sheez. As I read through so many of these posts one thing becomes clear. A constant barrage of "technical playing" makes one a great drummer. In other words, if one isn't Neil Peart or Carl Palmer, you can forget about being considered great by certain types of folks. The style has to fit the music. Can you just hear Peart style drumming with Van Halen or AC/DC? It just won't work. That certainly doesn't mean AVH, Phil Rudd, or Eric Carr aren't exceptionally good drummers. They are. It's sorta like folks who argue about football statistics. Roger Staubach didn't have near the QB numbers that Danny White had with the Cowboys, but who would argue that White was a greater QB than Staubach? Same is true for musicians. Even bass players. As a long time bass player, I gotta say that Michael Anthony is a great player. While he might not slap and pop away like Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, but he has some of the best bass fills of any rock bassist out there. And, yes, he was a major influence of mine.

Listen to the musician in context of the music and you can find greatness.

[CooManChu]

Or you can jam to Tone Loc "Funky Cold Medina" since that is a sample of Jamie's Cryin'..

Actually, the tune that samples Jamie's Cryin' is Wild Thing. Funky Cold Medina is a good tune too. :)

[JayDVee009]

Alex Van Halen is a champion!!! He's one of the ol' time greatest rock drummers. I think one way to describe his drumming would simply be "Cool"! The guy was a solid drummer and his style of drumming suited the type of music being played perfectly.

I love all the albums from Van Halen 1 right up to OU812 preferably and those albums are ageing like fine wine. I've been a fan of Alex since I was a kid in the early 80's and I'm just as big a fan now. I've shown heaps of dudes the "Live Without a Net" video (thank God it's on DVD now!) over the years and blown them away at the sheer power of that concert and the awesome vibe it generates. The guys are having such a good time and they convey that feeling to the audience and to the viewer!! It never fails to amaze me at how entertaining they are and the audience is just captivated........

Of course it helps to have a powerful stereo with very powerful bassy speakers so you can blow your friends ear drums off as they soak up an awesome, entertaining, thoroughly enjoyable audio & visual experience. Sammy Hagar's singing in that concert is incredible. I'm waiting for a live Van Halen DVD with Dave Lee Roth fronting the band in a well recorded concert from the early 80's.

I guess I'm lucky that I can appreciate both singers!

Enjoy Alex's beats.... the dude ROCKS!!!!!!!

[mikeybbdrummin]

I guess I'm lucky that I can appreciate both singers!


I like them both. I think as for truely strong voice it would go to Sammy. As showmanship and character goes it would be Dave. There is a VH compilation out (not sure how old) that has a song from Dave then Sammy and so on through the whole thing. I like that better than first half is Dave and second is Sammy.
Alex is one of my biggest influences and one of the reasons I started to play drums in 87. Got my double bass and H. F. T. was the first song I wanted to learn. Wasnt it everybodys?

[prodrums]

BIG Alex Van halen, simply one of the top ten drummers
of all time. love the differnt styles he puts in his drumming.
perffect timing and the list go's on.

[neilpscuz]

I first saw Van Halen in concert back in 1980 or '81. It was an amazing show, but everything was kind of lost in the shadow of David Lee Roth. Not that I'm complaining. He's a tremendous showman. Alex Van Halen was great way back then, and it's been interesting following his drumming from album to album.

I don't think that the band Van Halen gets enough credit for bringing rock and roll back into the mind of a world that was being hypnotised by disco.

http://www.angelfire.com/mac/keepitlive/drummers/Van_Halen/van8.jpg

"I look at Van Halen as social workers. What we're really doing is creating jobs for rock critics." - Alex Van Halen, Creem Magazine, May 1984

I also saw them at that time DB, and decided after the Diver Down tour I would never pay money to see DLR ever again ! Both times I saw him (Women and Child 1st, DD tours), Dave was so out of it he couldn't get words out !! Sammy Hagar, best thing to happen to VH EVER !!! Alex Rocks !! I saw them w/ Sammy and the energy was OVER THE TOP !

[LinearDrummer]

Sammy Hagar, best thing to happen to VH EVER !!!

No way....DLR over Sammy anyday!
OU812 is a good Cd thou despite having Sammy....I like AFU Naturally Wired....
Alex is a beast on that one.....

[mikei]

Sammy Hagar, best thing to happen to VH EVER !!!

You are kidding right?

DLR is what made VH great. DLR solo was a catastrophe I will admit. But Sammy cannot sing the old songs at all. Van Hagar is just a pop rock band. Definitely not even close to the innovative band with DLR.

DLR screwing up the lyrics at shows and being hammered is part of what made them great. His arrogance, stage presence and being almost like a stand up comic on stage was amazing!

Remember, even on their studio albums, Dave was constantly messing up with his timing (Listen to the break in unchained), laughing and joking (Bottoms Up, Unchained, Ice Cream Man, Everybody Wants Some and so many others) that people should have realized that DLR is DLR. It is his "don't give a crap" attitude that made the music fun. He was just having a great time and people loved it. They never tried to hide the mistakes.

I hope someday they will do a reunion with DLR. I am sure that it wont happen though.

Alex usually kept pretty simple beats so that Eddie and DLR could go nuts. He laid a great foundation.

[leorich]

i have been drumming for 17 years and i would
have to say when it comes to all out drumming
alex van halen is king. i have been following big
al's career since age 5 hes a true drummer/musician
love the styles he puts in his playing.to me hes the best
hands down. ps nice drum site.

[cjl71178]

Unfortunately, I never had the chance to see Van Halen...but I've loved all of their stuff. I tend to lean towards Sammy over Dave, but both of them were great. I absolutely love the 5150 album.

Alex is a phenomenal drummer. His drumming always amazed me. Of course, how could you not go crazy hearing "Hot For Teacher"?

I would love for them to do a reunion, whether it'd be with Sammy or Dave.

[infernal drummer]

You are kidding right?

DLR is what made VH great. DLR solo was a catastrophe I will admit. But Sammy cannot sing the old songs at all. Van Hagar is just a pop rock band. Definitely not even close to the innovative band with DLR.

DLR screwing up the lyrics at shows and being hammered is part of what made them great. His arrogance, stage presence and being almost like a stand up comic on stage was amazing!

Remember, even on their studio albums, Dave was constantly messing up with his timing (Listen to the break in unchained), laughing and joking (Bottoms Up, Unchained, Ice Cream Man, Everybody Wants Some and so many others) that people should have realized that DLR is DLR. It is his "don't give a crap" attitude that made the music fun. He was just having a great time and people loved it. They never tried to hide the mistakes.

I hope someday they will do a reunion with DLR. I am sure that it wont happen though.

Alex usually kept pretty simple beats so that Eddie and DLR could go nuts. He laid a great foundation.

amen ! :) totaly agree.. allthough i really liked hagars voice in the song dreams

[mikei]

amen ! :) totaly agree.. allthough i really liked hagars voice in the song dreams
Amen. Love the song dreams. My daughters even do. That is a good album!

[themac5150]

Alex was one of my heroes when I first started playing back in the mid 80s. I still pop in VH cds to jam along with. He always has at least one of those fills that sounds like he's falling down the stairs and landing on his feet. Sometimes, it sounds totally random but he still manages to pull it off. Very Bonham-esque, in that balls out, just going for it kind of way.

[ludwigj]

Alex Van halen, what a great drummer the pure best
in my book. i have been drumming since 1966 so
i have pretty much seen and herd them all. BIG AL!
IS THE MAN IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER THAN HIM.

[LiveGoat]

I gotta say I like his solos. Sure he can get a little sloppy but that's what rock and roll is about (for me, anyway). Plus Alex is one of the last remaining rock drummers who seem to have that jazz/big band drummer thing going like Bonham Baker, and Mitchell. Most rock drummers today sound like all they listen to is other rock drummers. There are exceptions but on whole... He also seems to get a little better as time goes on (I sat and watched all the Alex solos on youtube one day!). Plus he just looks like he's having the time of his life. Roth was right. He said you can replace him and the band can go on but Alex is really the heart of VH. Take him away and they're half as good.

---LG

[JayDVee009]

He always has at least one of those fills that sounds like he's falling down the stairs and landing on his feet.

That's such a cool and funny way to describe some of his fills coz it makes perfect sense. It reminds me of the percussion you'd hear in Bugs Bunny cartoons when a character would fall down the stairs. Seriously though, Alex can rip awesome fills flawlessly! Songs like "Girl Gone Bad" from "1984" and "Get Up" from "5150" come to mind. Also the way he maintains and carries a song like "Source of Infection" from "OU812" is so cool man... heavy duty, kick ass drumming by one of the best!

[drummmachine]

ALEX VAN HALEN, HIS SOLO'S AND DRUMMING ARE AMAZING
LOVE HIS GROOVES, FILLS AND MULTIBLE STYLES HE PUTS IN HIS PLAYING.
HES MY ALL TIME FAVORITE, AND THE BEST DRUMMER ON THE
PLANET HE'S A TRUE MASTER ON THE DRUMS.

[jimreed]

alex is a true genius on the drums he my favorate player love his style
grooves and fills there no one like him and never will be he the best.

[Alphonse]

alex is a true genius on the drums he my favorate player love his style
grooves and fills there no one like him and never will be he the best.

I think you are overexaggerating (sp), he is a good drummer, I'm not saying he's not, but I wouldn't say he is the best drummer.

[0cean]

He's real good. I agree on Hot for Teacher... its a pretty wicked job he'd done. I love his sets... they're so... HUGE.

[jamsjr44]

HAHAHAHA!!! Tommy Lee? Tico Torres? Bobby Blotzer? For cryin' out loud! You need to get out and see some drummers, my friend!

I meant Rock drummers at that time. I did not say all drummers. And yes as far as rock drumming goes, he was not as good as any of those guys. His playing was always sloppy to me live.

[drumrules]

AleX VaN Halen is a awesome drummer one of the best hands down,

and my personal favorate and mentor. very unique sounds and styles

his playing ability is at the top period.

hes much much better than john bonham who i find to be very over rated.

AleX VaN Halen is the main man.

[DRUM78]

alex vanhalen is by far a better drummer than john bonham.i love alex's drumming
he's great to watch and he's always doing somthing differnt. his style and drumming
ability is to me by far the best he's a true drummer.


ps. alex's drum solo's on youtube .com

[jemhadar]

Alex is great. One of the heaviest drummers

[madmandr]

Alex Van Halen is the man. never herd or seen anyone play like him.hes the best of the best. he's an awesome drummer and musican a true legend.

[44beat]

A GREAT DRUMMER HES ONE OF THE TOP DRUMMERS IN THE WORLD

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Why is it that Alex Van Halen threads always get a lot of posters with one or two posts always claiming that he's God? It happened on the old forum, it happens here. Really annoying.

[KzSgDrummer]

Someone needs to check IP addresses. This is too werid

[samhdstix]

big alex v-h awesome drummer hes the reason why i play today awesome beats - grooves hes always inventing never boring hes simply great one of the greatest of alltime.

[ns3476]

I think Alex is a great drummer. I like what he did on hot for teacher, that song is what makes him stand out from the other drummers. I also agree with you guys when some of you say that hes one of the best of all time.

[Matt Minadeo]

I am going to add my two cents in on this discussion. Alex Van Halen is an awesome drummer. Everybody already knows this. If anybody says that AVH is not that good, well then they are an idiot. AVH has always been an awesome drummer. He was very good as far back as Van Halen's debut albut in 1978. Sure, there are better drummers out there. There are more technical drummers out there than him, but I'm sure that he could match better drummers note for note I'm guessing. I'm sure that AVH could match Peart note for note if he wanted to. I'll list why AVH is an awesome drummer: very funky and syncopated, good double bass work, good ride cymbal work, good high hat work, good cowbell work, very good and cool fills(maybe some of the best in rock music) and he's got the Ginger Baker Factor. In my opinion he sounds alot like Baker with the very smooth, impossible to do fills and rudiments. And he had the awesome snare sound back in the day. So that is why AVH is an awesome drummer. He might be overrated a little bit, but he's still pretty f' ing good. If I was one fourth as good as him, I would be very happy. Take care. Later.

[meancarlene]

what fills has alex van halen done that are impossible? good drummer but come on...anything he does that sounds impossible IS impossible. don't tell me that hot for teacher isn't overdubbed up the rear end and that stupid snare drum roll at the end of his solos is an electronic joke after about 35 seconds. excellent solid drummer with solid grooves and an AWESOME and UNMISTAKEABLEsnare drum sound but pretty far from the top.

[mikeybbdrummin]

what fills has alex van halen done that are impossible? good drummer but come on...anything he does that sounds impossible IS impossible. don't tell me that hot for teacher isn't overdubbed up the rear end and that stupid snare drum roll at the end of his solos is an electronic joke after about 35 seconds. excellent solid drummer with solid grooves and an AWESOME and UNMISTAKEABLEsnare drum sound but pretty far from the top.

Your not the biggest fan of Alex or Neil Peart. Two of my top three favorite drummers and biggest influences. My favorite ( not the BEST in the world, thats a huge statment ) drummer has always been Gregg Bissonette. To say " The Top" what do you mean? In your oppinion or drummers that are more "Technical". Most people know how versitle Gregg is and that he is a great all around player. But there are still drummers that can do what he cant in some styles. Does not mean I would like him any less.
Just curious what "The Top" means to you.

[Matt Minadeo]

Hey meancarlene, how's it going? I didn't actually mean that Alex Van Halen's fills are impossible to do, although he has done some difficult fills, and I don't mean "Hot For Teacher" or anything from his drum solos. I just meant that some of his fills are very, very musical like Ginger Baker's. Some of his fills are impossible to play for a crappy drummer like myself. The thing that alot of people overlook in AVH's playing are his syncopation and funkiness. AVH is a very, very rhythmic and musical drummer. I'm sure that he can play Jazz and Latin music very well because of his rhythmness. Take care. Later.

[seattledrummer]

Does anyone know what kind of drum heads Alex used in the studio during the early VH1 days?


and yeah, that guy is right. His stuff is not the easiest to play!

[somedrummer]

Well, I don't know too much about Alex, but I know that his drumming is very cool, Hot for Teacher, even if it is overdubbed, it sounds cool, and that's what matters to me.

I really just posted to say that we share a birthday...

[welshsteve]

At least he posted Greg Bissonette!

And for Alex...ehh, nothing special. I particularly hate his custom drum era (the ones he built himself) because they sounded awful. His snare drum has to be one of the most annoying ever (exception, I forget the title, but "baby come on? come on baby finish what you started?). Cool snare part.

Hot for Teacher...ughh, not this argument again. Get a simmons pad, program it for that bass drum sound, play the opening pattern twice, then set the digital delay, then go into the double bass drum part. Its really not that hard.

Stu

There's been many argument about this. but as for sampling a billy cobham lick and triggering it on a simmons pad, I doubt that for two reasons. Firstly, you can hear his stick click together on the into (ok, might have been picked up on the over heads but if you are tirggering, one stick is enough) there's a fill later that is almost the same as the intro, so I would say that it was the sound of his dampened 16" Roto tom. He didn't start using Simmons until the 5150 period. Also, I have seen a a couple of bootlegs of them from that tour, and although the intro wasn't note for note to the ablum, it was 90% along the same lines on both. I'd say he played it and no messing.

If you listen carefully, you can hear a grace note the high tom part in a broken triplet formation. If you think playing all that is easy, then you are mistaken or exeptional as a drummer. Then in that case, the black page, Vinnie's licks at the end of "7 days" any Mike Portnoy fill must be just a breeze to you?

Listen to the Great Gregg Bissonette TRY and copy it off the Van Halen Tribute and David Lee Roth Skyscraper tours. My opinion? Nice try Greg!

Though I love Greg Bissonette too! A different Class to Alex Van Halen in that he's more accomplished and a hell of a lot more subtle. Alex is nore BASH BASH BASH THWOLLOP, sort of thing!

Van Halen brought some great licks to the forefront of rock drumming, even some stuff on the first Album was typical of drummer's licks from later on. Like his brother, quite ahead of his time.

My only criticism, too much cymbals! Riding on a 20" crash just makes a noise. A picky point I know.

Steve

[mikeybbdrummin]

There's been many argument about this. but as for sampling a billy cobham lick and triggering it on a simmons pad, I doubt that for two reasons. Firstly, you can hear his stick click together on the into (ok, might have been picked up on the over heads but if you are tirggering, one stick is enough) there's a fill later that is almost the same as the intro, so I would say that it was the sound of his dampened 16" Roto tom. He didn't start using Simmons until the 5150 period. Also, I have seen a a couple of bootlegs of them from that tour, and although the intro wasn't note for note to the ablum, it was 90% along the same lines on both. I'd say he played it and no messing.

If you listen carefully, you can hear a grace note the high tom part in a broken triplet formation. If you think playing all that is easy, then you are mistaken or exeptional as a drummer. Then in that case, the black page, Vinnie's licks at the end of "7 days" any Mike Portnoy fill must be just a breeze to you?

Listen to the Great Gregg Bissonette TRY and copy it off the Van Halen Tribute and David Lee Roth Skyscraper tours. My opinion? Nice try Greg!

Though I love Greg Bissonette too! A different Class to Alex Van Halen in that he's more accomplished and a hell of a lot more subtle. Alex is nore BASH BASH BASH THWOLLOP, sort of thing!

Van Halen brought some great licks to the forefront of rock drumming, even some stuff on the first Album was typical of drummer's licks from later on. Like his brother, quite ahead of his time.

My only criticism, too much cymbals! Riding on a 20" crash just makes a noise. A picky point I know.

Steve

I have always thought it was done w/no help from anything else. Then w/all the talk I thought maybe I was wrong.
I have played Hot for Teacher in clubs many times and I think I get it about 85% the same.
Gregg is my favorite drummer w/Alex a close third. He deffinatly plays it different. Keep in mind that on the tribute album every song was done in each persons personal style. Not note for note copies. Gregg did ghost notes on the snare which Alex never did

BTW, I actually ride on my crash because of Alex. To me it gives something different then a ride bell or hi-hats. Depends on the crash also. Try it. You may like it.

[welshsteve]

I have always thought it was done w/no help from anything else. Then w/all the talk I thought maybe I was wrong.
I have played Hot for Teacher in clubs many times and I think I get it about 85% the same.
Gregg is my favorite drummer w/Alex a close third. He deffinatly plays it different. Keep in mind that on the tribute album every song was done in each persons personal style. Not note for note copies. Gregg did ghost notes on the snare which Alex never did

BTW, I actually ride on my crash because of Alex. To me it gives something different then a ride bell or hi-hats. Depends on the crash also. Try it. You may like it.

Hello again,

Yeah, I know what you mean with the riding on the crash, and I also do it occasionally. I think with AVH the thing I don't like is when he does it, he does it with a HUGE Paiste Crash (probably a 2002 or something that doesn't "envelope" when hit like a Zildjian) and with no quater-note dynamics. Thus all that can be heard that that "WSSSSSHHHH" with the kick and snare underneath. As I said, it's a picky point.

I love Bissonette's general playing on Hot For Teacher from that tribute album, especially the ghost notes on the snare, I just didn't like his adaptation of the into so much, AVH has that over him of nothing else. Just my opionion.

Stev

[mikeybbdrummin]

Hello again,

Yeah, I know what you mean with the riding on the crash, and I also do it occasionally. I think with AVH the thing I don't like is when he does it, he does it with a HUGE Paiste Crash (probably a 2002 or something that doesn't "envelope" when hit like a Zildjian) and with no quater-note dynamics. Thus all that can be heard that that "WSSSSSHHHH" with the kick and snare underneath. As I said, it's a picky point.

I love Bissonette's general playing on Hot For Teacher from that tribute album, especially the ghost notes on the snare, I just didn't like his adaptation of the into so much, AVH has that over him of nothing else. Just my opionion.

Stev

I like to ride on a med Zildjian crash personaly. It just is another option for me.

I always start the song on toms and then add the double bass. Gregg starts it w/both at the same time. Then he comes into the beat w/two accents where Alex just hit a crash.

[fusssion]

a few personal points......

I've always liked Alex!! Always.......he just ROCKS!!

My favorite must be the Fair Warning CD......."so this is love" just rips!!!!

Anyhow.........

Does anyone know the transcription for the fill before the guitar solo in DREAMS? Our band does it, and I just do the best "garbage can / triplet toms/bass" thing I can do ! :)

And for mikei: Van Halen will be touring in 2007 WITH DLR !!!!!! Oh yeah!

[mikeybbdrummin]

a few personal points......

I've always liked Alex!! Always.......he just ROCKS!!

My favorite must be the Fair Warning CD......."so this is love" just rips!!!!

Anyhow.........

Does anyone know the transcription for the fill before the guitar solo in DREAMS? Our band does it, and I just do the best "garbage can / triplet toms/bass" thing I can do ! :)

And for mikei: Van Halen will be touring in 2007 WITH DLR !!!!!! Oh yeah!

If Alex ever did a clinic that would be the first question I asked him. I have thought the same thing for ever. It almost sounds like a mistake. Great fill though.
One of my biggest influences in my playing w/out a doubt.
Fair warning; Different drumming on every song. Great stuff.
I think Sammy did great w/V.H. but Dave is the man. If Daves head can just come down to size things could last a while with that situation im sure.

[3003player]

I haven't read through all of the posts in this thread, but has anyone figured just how AVH gets that snare sound? I know he plays Ludwig and Paiste and Iron Cobra and DW pedals and has his own Regal Tip stick, but I'm not positive about his snare. I saw one photo of his kit and his snare looked to be one of those etched jobs like you'd see coming from Dunnett, but I'd be really surprised if he was playing anything other than a Black Beauty. Anybody know for sure?

[fusssion]

I haven't read through all of the posts in this thread, but has anyone figured just how AVH gets that snare sound? I know he plays Ludwig and Paiste and Iron Cobra and DW pedals and has his own Regal Tip stick, but I'm not positive about his snare. I saw one photo of his kit and his snare looked to be one of those etched jobs like you'd see coming from Dunnett, but I'd be really surprised if he was playing anything other than a Black Beauty. Anybody know for sure?


Not 100% sure, but I'm pretty positive he's a Supraphonic 6.5x14 player!

[ILikeMacs]

Alex inspired me to play. I used to hear VH on the radio as a kid and sit away in the garage bashing on the rubbish bins. finally when my parents could take it no longer they bought me a toy set. then i got interested in video games, and have returned 10 years later to Alex once again!

[mikeybbdrummin]

I noticed recently a Ludwig ad w/Alex in it. I have not seen one in years. I guess its because the tour they will be doing in the next few months. Alex has been w/Ludwig for 29 years. I would think he would still be used in ads with or w/out a tour going on.

[ddrummer]

very legendary drummer great kits to...... i always found it weird how he had the pipes coming off all four of his bass drums........

[mikeybbdrummin]

very legendary drummer great kits to...... i always found it weird how he had the pipes coming off all four of his bass drums........

Great rock drummer. Again like Randy, One of my favorites. Top 3 actually. Great original, distinct sound. Not over the top drummer but he always brings something interesting to the table.

[slingerland755]

[QUOTE=mikeybbdrummin;232170]If Alex ever did a clinic that would be the first question I asked him. I have thought the same thing for ever. It almost sounds like a mistake. Great fill though.

I believe it was a "mistake." That's one of the things I love about VH. If it feels good, they will keep a track that isn't perfect. There are a bunch of "mistakes" on their first album and even some engineering problems on in their later work.

[mikeybbdrummin]

[quote=mikeybbdrummin;232170]If Alex ever did a clinic that would be the first question I asked him. I have thought the same thing for ever. It almost sounds like a mistake. Great fill though.

I believe it was a "mistake." That's one of the things I love about VH. If it feels good, they will keep a track that isn't perfect. There are a bunch of "mistakes" on their first album and even some engineering problems on in their later work.

If it is a "mistake", its a difficult one. And if its a "mistake" I hope he does a lot more like it.

[Derek]

hahaha,you all now that Alex sampled the bass drum from and old billy cobham lick..he recorded it,and than hits a trigger and he plays over it.hes overrated and not even that good.
As we all know, that is from the song titled " Quadrant " on Billy Cobhams "Spectrum " album from 1974 or '75. It even sounds like Eddie took some inspiration from it as well.

[mikeybbdrummin]

hahaha,you all now that Alex sampled the bass drum from and old billy cobham lick..he recorded it,and than hits a trigger and he plays over it.hes overrated and not even that good.

Whats funny is how no one EVER says that about "Im The One" from Van Halen's first album Or "Loss of Control". Its The same double bass shuffle. Because of H.F.T. intro people now notice. And Billy I believe played ghost notes on his snare. Alex didnt. Alex played a double stroke on the ride. Billy didnt. SO its not the same. And do you know if Billy got it from someone else? And actually Alex is a good drummer. Maybe not as good as you.(LOL) Im sure your so good that you have never copied a fill or beat from any drummer right? Dont think so. So enlighten us on WHY he is not a good drummer. And dont compare to Vinnie or Thomas Lang.

[slingerland755]

[quote=slingerland755;361239]

If it is a "mistake", its a difficult one. And if its a "mistake" I hope he does a lot more like it.

No doubt. I'm with you on that one.

[mikeybbdrummin]

[quote=mikeybbdrummin;361260]

No doubt. I'm with you on that one.

I just hope they do another cd. With Dave would be great. I would really like to see a video, instructional or otherwise, w/Alex playing a lot his beats and fills done over the years. I bought Neil Pearts first video 11 years ago (Test for echo) and thought it was going to be what everyone would be waiting for after 20 years of Neils playing. But it was not what I expected. Still good, but thought it was going to be all of his fills and drum beats.

[zildjianette]

I've seen a few clinics in my day, Cindy Blackman, Billy Cobham, Mark Schulman, Mike Mangini, Chad Wackerman, Carmine Appice, Kenny Aronoff --

Drum clinics are awesome to watch, but I wish they'd tape 'em, and sell the CD at the end of the show. We have that technology now.

I see what they play, and it looks so simple, but when I don't run home and try it immediately, I lose the sound/technique/touch that they applied which made it something worth trying.

My frustration is that I've been hearing about Wackerman, Bozio, Cobham, BRich and the like since the day I picked up sticks. Wonderful to respect the past, but isn't it time to vote in some new icons? Newer than the 80's ?

No doubt the 'hot for teacher' thumping was great, and many other tunes by Def Leppard/Rush/Zeppelin/Halen/Whitesnake/Poison/Ratt/Ozzy/Yes you get the idea... Blotzer I saw the most-- but I was a teen, and don't remember a thing, except "cool solo!"

Obviously Limp Biscuit, Korn, Disturbed, Slipnot drummers like Mike Wengren and Joey Jordison turned it up a notch. And before them, David Grohl.

AVH, no doubt, great drummer. As is most EVERY drummer I've ever met!!!

Rock on...

ledfoot laurie .. myspace/zildjianette

[KarlCrafton]

I guess this thred is kinda old, but I'm new to this forum, so here goes nothin'!

AVH is one of my fave drummers. His sound is unmistakeable, and I love that his hats are always up in the mix.

I love his snare sound too.
I dig that fill he does in Drop Dead Legs..Buda, Buda, Bup Bup Buda, Buda bup bup
Bu-dup dup (that's the 'tab' version haha!)

As for the snare...
For the last several years he's been playing a Hammered Chrome Supraphonic 6.5.
I don't know if that's been exclusively or not, but I got to meet him some years ago, and that's the snare he said he was using....so of course, I got one.

He was a real cool guy and he remembered a woman I had worked with, that had been with VH on the second and third album time period.

That was late '98.
I've seen pics after '98 too and that was the snare in those pics. I do know he had that engraved/sandblasted snare too.

Actually, it may have been a painted Hammered snare that was etched or sand blasted...
Todd Trent did an artice on Alex in Classic Drummer, and there's pics of that drum, and he said what the shell was...I'll have to look it up.

Anyway, that 6.5 Hammered Chrone Supraphonic is a cool sounding drum....I had Bun E. Carlos sign the inside of the shell.
Having Al's sig in it too would be sweet!

To this day, the "1980 Invasion" W.A.C.F. concert was THE rowdiest show I have ever been to. From the first note of Romeo Delight, to the end was just..."Aaaahhhh!!!" with the crowd just going nuts.
That show was a total BLAST, and that chrome kit with the clear Octobans in front and on the side has been one of my favorite rock kits of all time.
I can clearly remember the GIANT banner someone made that said VanF**kin'Halen on it.
You could never do that today.....

[Sol Good]

Pics of AVH's 2007 kit - insane!

http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=780
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=782
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=784
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=786
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=788

Driver's seat:
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=790

[That Guy]

Pics of AVH's 2007 kit - insane!

http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=780
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=782
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=784
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=786
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=788

Driver's seat:
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=790

Talk about a custom job! I have never seen anything like it. I would love to see those cut bass drums from the back. Are they even playable or just for show? Also, whats the fire extiguisher for? Does he have insane amounts of pyro behind and next to his kit that it needs to be that close...lol?

Nice pics my friend.

[KarlCrafton]

Yeah, those pics kick!
Thanks for posting those!

The John Douglas site has some other really great work on it too.

As for the fire extinguishers...I remember seeing AVH set the whole kit on fire on the 1980 Invasion tour, and a couple times after that too.
I don't know if he does that still, or just the gong/gong stand.

[rjlee24]

I can't believe I've actually seen some people on here say that Alex is basically mediocre or just "ok". Alex has one of those sounds (along with Eddie) that you know it's a Van Halen song right away. They could play a country song and you'd say hey that sounds like Van Halen??? To me that's greatness. If you really listen to Alex play, I think you'd find a lot of little things going on...he's got some strange time keeping also in certain songs. I'm not saying he's the god of all drummers..but if you can have a sound where people go "hey that's gotta be (so and so) than that's what it's all about, that makes you unique.

[slingerland755]

Pics of AVH's 2007 kit - insane!

http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=780
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=782
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=784
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=786
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=788

Driver's seat:
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=790

Sol Good....Thanks! How did you get those shots?

[Sol Good]

Sol Good....Thanks! How did you get those shots?

They're not my shots - they are from John Douglas's site. He's the guy who did the custom job on this and many other impressive kits:

http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=16

Here's the man himself with AVH:

http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=820

Just figured out what that kick off to the side (in front of the floor toms) is for:
http://www.johndouglas.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=824

[t-bone]

Yeah, those pics kick!
Thanks for posting those!

The John Douglas site has some other really great work on it too.

As for the fire extinguishers...I remember seeing AVH set the whole kit on fire on the 1980 Invasion tour, and a couple times after that too.
I don't know if he does that still, or just the gong/gong stand.

yes he did in 1980....that tour was killer....i think he went to just the gong and stand after, because he set his arm on fire on that tour....i remember reading that in " drums and drumming"....he started the gong thing with the " fair warning ' tour....seen that one also....

alex is unreal...hope they get up ottawa way next year.....

[drummernowlin]

Alex Van Halen is one of the ten greatest rock drummers of all-time in my opinion. One of the things I love most about his playing is his use of his cymbals. He wasn't the first to do it, but that beat from Hot For Teacher is so cool because of his ride cymbals.

Alex is about as solid as they get too. Let's face it, have you ever seen him mess up? No. He compliments his brother's playing very well and makes the band sound better overall. When you don't have to worry so much about singing, you can let loose a lot more and it shows with him...Great drummer...great feel...great sound...great, period!!!

[mikeybbdrummin]

Alex Van Halen is one of the ten greatest rock drummers of all-time in my opinion. One of the things I love most about his playing is his use of his cymbals. He wasn't the first to do it, but that beat from Hot For Teacher is so cool because of his ride cymbals.

Alex is about as solid as they get too. Let's face it, have you ever seen him mess up? No. He compliments his brother's playing very well and makes the band sound better overall. When you don't have to worry so much about singing, you can let loose a lot more and it shows with him...Great drummer...great feel...great sound...great, period!!!

Your correct, Alex is definatly good. My third influence. I can listen to his playing all day. His solos on youtube are done to entertain music listeners. Not drummers per say. And most drummers will say He's not Vinnie, Thomas Lang, Donati, Chambers or countless others. Guys that have taken drumming to another level. But Alex does what HE does best. Not what Vinnie or Bozzio or Minneman do best. True his solo's are pretty basic & straight forward. But thats what impresses music LISTENERS. Not every drummer out there. Parraddidles, double strokes and flams arent going to impress Van Halen fans. Maybe drummers but not the average V.H fan. Alex knows what it takes to excite HIS crowd.

[dea]

He was my fav as a youngling. I've seen them 5 times all throughout their years. Tommy Lee is not in the same class as Alex Van Halen. Its like comparing apples and oranges. I'm not knocking Tommy Lee since he can play a rock beat well. Howevevr, Alex Van Halen was in a class all his own. Unless you really sit down and listen closely, you will miss quite a bit of what he is all about. Listen to how he works his hat. Listen to his doubles as he hits the cymbal ( did you catch these? ). It wasn't immediately obvious to me. There are other subtle tricks he pulled that you don't catch until you listen to the song many times and can isolate it. Just amazing.

[mikeybbdrummin]

He was my fav as a youngling. I've seen them 5 times all throughout their years. Tommy Lee is not in the same class as Alex Van Halen. Its like comparing apples and oranges. I'm not knocking Tommy Lee since he can play a rock beat well. Howevevr, Alex Van Halen was in a class all his own. Unless you really sit down and listen closely, you will miss quite a bit of what he is all about. Listen to how he works his hat. Listen to his doubles as he hits the cymbal ( did you catch these? ). It wasn't immediately obvious to me. There are other subtle tricks he pulled that you don't catch until you listen to the song many times and can isolate it. Just amazing.

Very true about Alex. The magic about Alex, I think, is that he does things that are not always that hard but they are just Alex and you may not have heard any other drummer play it. Whether a fill or a beat Alex plays things that are sometimes out of the ordinary. He plays some hard stuff also. The drum fill before the "Dreams" guitar solo still amazes me. His beginning beat to "Finish what ya Started", not terribly hard, but that song help me tremendously to learn about independence seperating beats w/snare hand and foot. I could go on and on. I stated before about the drummers taking things to Extreme levels, But I have been impressed by Alex many many times over. It doesnt have to be Out of This World to be impressive.

[harryconway]

Alex was always fond of the "big" kit, but within' that was always 2 kicks, 2 racks, and almost always 2 floors. 2 crashes, one left, one right. Everything else is just packin' more drums in on top of more drums.

[Vipercussionist]

I got to see VH for free just recently in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, and I'll tell you what, that old man can STILL play some DRUMS!!!

He used that same John Douglas 2007 kit and it really sounded good, no, GREAT! Even with the shortfalls of inferior venue acoustics and hax sound reinforcement. It was reminiscent of Bonham's live tone, you know, that wide open big-assed Ludwig sound. Yeah, it was great!

It was a pretty damn good show all around, even Eddie looked like he was having fun!

[mikeybbdrummin]

I was just listening to F.U.C.K.......................and I forgot how good it actually is. I like Sammy but I prefer Dave over him. But this has to be one of their best, w/Dave or not.
I have said here before that I could say Alex is my third biggest influence behind Neil Peart second and Gregg Bissonette first. Listening to the cd I can hear that I have pulled a lot from Alex in his way of playing just from this cd alone. It may put him in front of Neil. The whole vibe of the Band, Alex's sound, his neuances and just his little displacement of snare and bass are very cool to me. I know there is Colaiuta, Weckl, Lang, Donati, S.Smith, Chambers and so on that are jaw dropping, but to me Alex is one of the best hard rock drummers out that that just throws in that little extra to make things interesting. And he makes it seem fun.

[Ian Williams]

Hello, fellows.

Alex Van Halen has an remarkable drumming on VH1, VH2, Women & Children First, Fair Warning, Diverdown, 1984. And The Cradle will rock....!



Cheers,

[Drumsword]

I've enjoyed alex's playing since I first heard them in the early 80's, he is a big influence in my style, I really enjoy the power with which he plays an the sometimes intricate ride cymbal work as well. I once read a drum teachers comment.........."Even if your not a van halen fan, You should be an alex van halen fan".

[Ian Williams]

I've enjoyed alex's playing since I first heard them in the early 80's, he is a big influence in my style, I really enjoy the power with which he plays an the sometimes intricate ride cymbal work as well. I once read a drum teachers comment.........."Even if your not a van halen fan, You should be an alex van halen fan".

Hi,

Your teacher is right! fully agree.

[mikeybbdrummin]

Hello, fellows.

Alex Van Halen has an remarkable drumming on VH1, VH2, Women & Children First, Fair Warning, Diverdown, 1984. And The Cradle will rock....!



Cheers,

The good old (Dave) days. But you cant forget what he has done after DLR left. As I stated above F.U.C.K. is some of his best drumming IMO. Alex is of course known best for Hot For Teacher....................................but his drumming, also double bass w/great fills, in Loss of Control is very cool how he hits his snare sometimes on the & instead of always on the straight beat..............................great hi energy song.

[Mathew 7:21]

Well Im new here so I thought I would bring this thread back from the dead. I grew up in the 80's and Alex was and still is my favorite drummer, Van Halen ll is IMO his best work and after Roth left I thought his drumming went down hill just like the music did. Its a shame cause Alex and Mike Anthony never got or get the credit they deserve cause they were always over shadowed by Eddie and Roth!

[DionT]

Alex kicks ass. One of my favorite drummers growing up.

[Hit 'Em Hard]

Had the privilege of getting to know Al pretty well from '90 to '99 while
I was freelancing as a music journalist. We would get invited out to catch
numerous shows per tour and we had a ball (especially on the BALANCE tour).

I cannot stress enough how professional and down to earth the two
brothers were. And their love of playing is unsurpassed. I was really
impressed with their closeness and their constant desire to create new
music.

[LeeLovesSabian]

The bass drums in the beginning of hot for teacher are amazing.
Alex is good, i just don't like the fact that he uses ride cymbal bells all the time (it sounds like it). Unique style though, I like his work with the bass drum; like in poundcake.

[james14141]

Alex Van Halen's zebra stripe drumset is on display at the guitar center in west los angeles. You can get close and see how the bass drums are linked. It looks like its been played hard too. They wont let you play it though :(

[gmrakich]

Alex was always fond of the "big" kit, but within' that was always 2 kicks, 2 racks, and almost always 2 floors. 2 crashes, one left, one right. Everything else is just packin' more drums in on top of more drums.


He he he. I was t that show.
SMILE was the other hot local act at that time. Grammer, Gervin and Jim Volpe on drums if I remember correctly. If you remember a band called RINCON from that era Harry, that was me. They used to get all their equipment from Dr. Music on Foothill, next to the SEARS.

[mikeybbdrummin]

The bass drums in the beginning of hot for teacher are amazing.
Alex is good, i just don't like the fact that he uses ride cymbal bells all the time (it sounds like it). Unique style though, I like his work with the bass drum; like in poundcake.

It's the old story of how its done. I think it's toms in the beginning and then the shuffle added. I'm not sure though.
I actually like the way he used his ride bell and how he rides the crash. I think he has been pretty creative w/the bell of his ride. In a few tunes (one on Diver Down;forget the name) he plays the bass drum straight and lets the ride bell do all the talking along w/Eddies guitar. Very cool IMO.
Also w/the bass drum thing, a song that comes to mind is Girl Gone Bad. Its got a Bonham feel to it. A lot of cool fills in there too.

[Luis]

Super nice pics...

Yeah...Alex is underrated. Not only a great player, but with his own sound. His drums always sound amazing.



Cheers.
LG

[mikeybbdrummin]

I just listened to Women and Children First, to and from work. Cradle will Rock, Romeos Delight, T.Y.Whiskey Home, Loss of Control and Simple Rhyme are all great tunes. Great album in general, but those are my favorites. Very unique drumming. Not your standard rock drumming. A lot of cool stuff thrown in. Especially Simple Rhyme.

[Ian Williams]

Alex Van Halen - Drum Solo OU812 tour.

Alex is an amazing and awesome drummer. He keeps himself, the drums, drumming and sound...original.

Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbJ5D0d7xtA

Enjoy it...

[jazzkidding]

The bass drums in the beginning of hot for teacher are amazing.
Alex is good, i just don't like the fact that he uses ride cymbal bells all the time (it sounds like it). Unique style though, I like his work with the bass drum; like in poundcake.

It's funny. I was never impressed by Van Halen mostly because of Dave's gigolo appearance and sexual innuendos. To me they looked cheap and I never captured the amazing musical abilities.
Now, some 30 years later I discovered "Ain't talkin bout love" and I cannot stop playing this song and I especially like Dave's amazing voice and the ride work on it coupled with the great snare sound. Go figure.

[TFITTING942]

Van Halen 1 has some really great playing by Alex. Over the years he has always had a very distinct sounding snare too. I never thought he was anything special when they first came out, but over the years really listsning to what he is doing I realize he has a lot of talent.

[mikeybbdrummin]

Alex is a great drummer. He does his style great.................His drumming on W&CH and FW is different throughout the cd's......................one of my biggest influences.

[DangerousDave]

Hats off to Mr. Van Halen. He always amazes me.

BTW did you guy see Alex now has his signature Paiste 2002 24" Big ride?

[Meat the beat]

Alex is THE MAN.

I remember seeing him with VH in the DLR days... blew me away.
END OF.

[paradiddler]

I'm glad this thread has some new life!

I absolutely love Alex Van Halen's style of play, mostly because lots of times I can't figure out what he's doing! He plays with such power, yet there's always an undercurrent of nuance that you just can't put your finger on (at least that's how it is for me).

And his style and sound are very unique, even for a rock drummer. He plays and sounds very different from his contemporaries. I do think that his cymbal play is somewhat over the top, as in, a little too much, but hey - that's Alex! One of my favorite songs is "Loss of Control", as mentioned by mikeybbdrummin (http://drummerworld.com/forums/member.php?u=5760) above; a very underrated song in my book.

I had a go a little while back at covering my favorite Van Halen song, "Girl Gone Bad (http://theparadiddler.com/2009/08/10/girl-gone-bad-by-van-halen-drum-cover/)". To me this is Van Halen's most underrated song; underrated because I think it's so good musically, by all the band members.

Bottom line is that he's in my elite list of favorite drummers, and I hope to cover another of his songs soon. Alex Van Halen rocks.

[mikeybbdrummin]

I'm glad this thread has some new life!

I absolutely love Alex Van Halen's style of play, mostly because lots of times I can't figure out what he's doing! He plays with such power, yet there's always an undercurrent of nuance that you just can't put your finger on (at least that's how it is for me).

And his style and sound are very unique, even for a rock drummer. He plays and sounds very different from his contemporaries. I do think that his cymbal play is somewhat over the top, as in, a little too much, but hey - that's Alex! One of my favorite songs is "Loss of Control", as mentioned by mikeybbdrummin (http://drummerworld.com/forums/member.php?u=5760) above; a very underrated song in my book.

I had a go a little while back at covering my favorite Van Halen song, "Girl Gone Bad (http://theparadiddler.com/2009/08/10/girl-gone-bad-by-van-halen-drum-cover/)". To me this is Van Halen's most underrated song; underrated because I think it's so good musically, by all the band members.

Bottom line is that he's in my elite list of favorite drummers, and I hope to cover another of his songs soon. Alex Van Halen rocks.

I agree. Funny, I mentioned Girl Gone Bad in my last post too.
Like I have said in defense of Neil Peart..............same goes for Alex....It doesn't matter who is faster, hits harder, or more technical NOW.......................what matters< to me anyways, is what Alex brought to the table in his day. His style is very unique. And nobody will convince me otherwise.........................My favorites/major influences (and I never say the best on the planet) are Gregg Bissonette, Neil Peart and Alex Van Halen....................I incorporate all three in my style of playing, and I thank them all for the great drumming that made me like them in the first place!!

[Axe]

Not a fan of DLR era VH, plus I cant stand Alexs' early "signature" snare sound. Like some of the Sammy stuff, but overall wouldnt call myself a fan. On some of the Sammy stuff he did have some great drum sounds though. No matter who the drummer is, the one thing I absolutely DETEST is when guys ride their crash cymbals. "Humans Being" is my fave VH song, I thought "Wow, finally something heavy from these guys", then he has to ruin it (I think during the solo) riding the crash!

No denying the guy is unique though, just wish he wouldve played in a band I liked more.

[penwar]

I'm glad this thread has some new life!
He plays with such power, yet there's always an undercurrent of nuance that you just can't put your finger on (at least that's how it is for me).

Thats it for me, AVH has always managed to do that "It Sounds Simple, but it aint" trick and its been the thing that makes all VH songs brilliant. PopRocktacular