Newest Member of MD's Hall of Fame -- Retired (?) Since 2015

Son of Vistalite Black

Son of Vistalite Black

Well-known Member
For those of you who have been missing his drumming contributions since his band last played in 2015, Modern Drummer has announced Alex Van Halen as the 2023 inductee to the Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame.

Son of Vistalite Black's Salute: What an inspiring drummer in terms of both his always inventive playing and the huge drum kits he created, including those that played a pioneering role in combining acoustic shells (big ones!) and electronics.

Even as his drum kit inventions pushed the state-of-the-art ahead, you always knew it was Alex Freakin' Van Halen.

Says Modern Drummer, “The original drummer and co-founder of Van Halen has left his mark on entire eras of rock music, from his scrappy early days in Mammoth to the glam metal juggernaut we know him as today. Alex Van Halen joins an esteemed group of Modern Drummer Hall of Famers, including John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Ringo Starr, and 2022’s Hall of Fame inductee, Taylor Hawkins.”

Alex Van Halen’s 2023 Modern Drummer Hall of Fame induction arrives with the release of their 2023 Reader’s Poll, found in their September issue.

bravewords.com

ALEX VAN HALEN Inducted Into Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame

Modern Drummer has announced Alex Van Halen as the 2023 inductee to the Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame. Says Modern Drummer, “The original drummer and co-founder of Van Halen has left his mark on entire eras of rock music, from his scrappy early days in Mammoth to the glam...
bravewords.com bravewords.com
 
I remember back in, it must have been very early 90's, well before the Internet was a big thing, well before albums were announced online well before they came out.

I was driving along and a song came on the radio I hadn't heard before. Within a few bars and based on the drumming, I thought "This must be a new Van Halen song"

And it was.

And that's the power of Alex. He had his own sound and his own feel.

I've seen dozens of VH tribute bands and cover bands playing VH songs. And while lots of drummers can copy his parts note for note, no one can copy the sound and feel of Alex. He's an enigma all to himself.

Hall of Fame worthy indeed.
 
Funny…I saw them on their first headline tour when VH2 was out, and Alex rushed everything like crazy. Never saw them again, though. Could have been an off night.

But he certainly developed a sound of his own and was great in the studio, can’t deny that.
 
JimmyM said:
Funny…I saw them on their first headline tour when VH2 was out, and Alex rushed everything like crazy. Never saw them again, though. Could have been an off night.

But he certainly developed a sound of his own and was great in the studio, can’t deny that.
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Studio bassist Jeff Berlin raved about AVH calling him the most underrated rock drummer on the planet.
 
Modern Drummer seems to wait until right after a drummer has died or is otherwise about 10-20 years past their prime influential years before inducting them. So while my first thought was surprise AVH wasn't already a hall of famer, my second thought was MD is only a little behind schedule inducting him...
 
Always liked him. Sometimes a drummer will be on a video that just cements the cool factor into your soul and for me that was HUMANS BEING. AVH is just plain 100% 😎 cool.
 
I remember working on Judgement Day in tribute style. Too bad that band never went anywhere. It got Yoko'd.
 
As a huge fan of both Alex Van Halen and Jay Weinberg, Son of Vistalite Black really enjoyed this video of Weinberg performing a tribute ("Running with the Devil") on one of AVH's huge tour kits -- though viewers are advised that it's possible to skip much of talking thorughout the first 25 minutes of the 28.35-minute video. Though part of the discussion is two other very high profile drummers will also be performing on the kit.

One question: The bass drums in the video are arrayed on the floor -- without what one could call the front and back bass drums being connected. Did AVH have his kit set up this way in concert. Memories aren't always reliable, but it seems the photos of other AVH tour kits had the basses connected, cigar or beer-can style.

Once again, SoVB raises a glass to the west to toast the possibility we'll see Alex Van Halen (70) play one of his gargantuan kits live again soon.

 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
One question: The bass drums in the video are arrayed on the floor -- without what one could call the front and back bass drums being connected. Did AVH have his kit set up this way in concert. Memories aren't always reliable, but it seems the photos of other AVH tour kits had the basses connected, cigar or beer-can style.
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Sometimes the bass drums were connected, sometimes they were not.

Alex would sometimes have extra bass drums just for looks. On one tour a refrigerator was hidden inside a bass drum.

Alex kits were often about looking good on a huge stage.
 
I always thought that what I hear him playing does not call for the set he is using...more of a stage prop. Not implying negativity...just context for hearing/seeing what he is doing.
 
Otto said:
I always thought that what I hear him playing does not call for the set he is using...more of a stage prop. Not implying negativity...just context for hearing/seeing what he is doing.
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Showbiz is cool when you have a drum tech.
 
A old friend saw VH at the Birmingham Odeon on their first UK tour in 78 supporting Black Sabbath. They couldn't get them off stage. Sabbath were on the side of the stage quite visibly annoyed.

Outdoing Sabbath on their hometown gig takes some balls!

AVH is some player. Mad to think the 1984 drum sound is two Simmons kick pads and rototoms.
 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
AVH has a book coming out!
blabbermouth.net

ALEX VAN HALEN's Autobiography 'Brothers' Due In October

HarperCollins Publishers has set an October 22, 2024 release date for "Brothers", a new book from legendary VAN HALEN drummer Alex Van Halen. The 384-page book is categorized under "Biography & Autobiography" and currently has a list price of $32.00. Alex and Eddie Van Halen formed a band called...
blabbermouth.net blabbermouth.net
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Looks interesting.

Alex, despite being the older brother, always seemed to take a back seat to Eddie. It will be interesting to get HIS side of the story.
 
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