Alex Van Halen Selling His Drum Gear in June Auction

I don't know where some of you guys are getting this "he's on hard times" theory from, but it's not true. Alex is just trying to put the past in the past. Simple as. He's been known to be an introverted guy for four decades. Now, add the fact that his most important fan/friend/co-writer, co-conspirator, band mate, and needless to say ONLY LITTLE BROTHER, died, I think you should have a little empathy for him in the sense that he just wants to put all those memories away forever....or at least temporarily. It's too painful to think about 24/7. It would drive any of us nuts. I mean, he's selling his gold records, and there still hasn't been any official tribute event to EVH that has involved Alex. That should tell you everything right there. Everyone knows trophies aren't worth crap on the resale market. Just watch any episode of Pawn Stars to confirm that. Alex is still in mourning. ⚱️
 
It's a hell of a lot of gear which he won't use again. Getting rid of old stuff is a very healthy thing to do, so I hope the auction does well and he feels better for it.
 
striker said:
From the Drum History channel.

The HUGE Alex Van Halen Auction with Kurt Ekstrom - EP 240

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What a great podcast! Very informative. Alex is as innovative as his brother… those drums are space-age. Does anyone else of note use the extra-long, doubled up kick drums? They keep talking about how low he sits on the throne and how he puts the hi-hats as high as they can go. I think Tommy Aldridge does this as well… at least the sitting low on the throne part.
 
Poleaux said:
What a great podcast! Very informative. Alex is as innovative as his brother… those drums are space-age. Does anyone else of note use the extra-long, doubled up kick drums? They keep talking about how low he sits on the throne and how he puts the hi-hats as high as they can go. I think Tommy Aldridge does this as well… at least the sitting low on the throne part.
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It's interesting how people can have two diametrically opposed views of the same event. Son of Vistalite Black has very little patience for watching two people scroll through unreadable lists on their screens while offering pure speculation about various items. Much like watching someone else play a video game.
 
1:04:56! Lambchops! 😁 the Red Fred Gretsch Snare
was hoping that got a mention;
and they caught the caribbea bea bean blue Gretsch set and commented..
If I wanted to make funny comment of the the podcast the two fella's talk back and forth like /resemble, a Beavis and Butthead in their adult mid 40s but nothing wrong with that. It's sort of like drum forum banter. Glad the Gretsch "Gretch" got a mention.
 
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Goldmine magazine has a lengthy interview with the Backstage Auctions ... He describes going with AVH to his drum "warehouse" and 5150 studios to fill a 58-foot container with the drum gear. One of the things he says is "Eddie was always known as a tone-chaser and an eternal thinker. I mean, he could take days, weeks, and months before he perfected one note. But what I learned is that Alex is also a tone-chaser. And when you really look at all this gear, you can't help but realize and be fascinated by how he was constantly tweaking, tinkering, and experimenting with pushing his boundaries."

 
This is a great article as well. I was reminded, when I read it, about Wolfie. I’ve been impressed by his music, but the thing I noticed most is how good of a drummer he is. He could easily be a top-tier drummer in a supergroup… his drumming is that good to me IMHO.
 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
He’s fine … One of the most innovative rock drummers to emerge in the late 70s and pioneered the design direction of big kits while also innovating with hybrid kits with the era’s newest electronic drum pads.
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I'd respectfully disagree with this part. I'd give that badge to Neil Peart with his widespread use of the famous red Simmons SDS-8, hexagonal pads (after much experimentation before debuting them) in the early 80's. There's a multi-part podcast from those who worked his equipment & sound who've said he was experimenting with electronics from their inception. If for nothing else than to "try the latest thing".

Now...that being said, Alex could've been experimenting with them as well, it's just not as documented as Neil's is.

No matter what, I'm sure this will bring a lot of cash to his estate & he'll do just fine by it.
 
Cmdr. Ross said:
I'd respectfully disagree with this part. I'd give that badge to Neil Peart with his widespread use of the famous red Simmons SDS-8, hexagonal pads (after much experimentation before debuting them) in the early 80's. There's a multi-part podcast from those who worked his equipment & sound who've said he was experimenting with electronics from their inception. If for nothing else than to "try the latest thing".

Now...that being said, Alex could've been experimenting with them as well, it's just not as documented as Neil's is.

No matter what, I'm sure this will bring a lot of cash to his estate & he'll do just fine by it.
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Hmmm ... Son of Vistalite Black had thought the phrase "one of the most innovative" ... meant he was not the sole innovator.

Of course, Peart was at the forefront. Reminds one of a poem:

"The trouble with the Maples
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can’t be happy in their shade?"
 
Bot of GetAgrippa doesn't understand? If he doesn't care about it ,and gotten all the use he desires from it , why not give it all away? At this stage of life I'd think he'd feel guilty with financial gain for something that likely long paid for itself. What better legacy than ending it philanthropically. I admire he ended his career with death of his brother-it was death of the band. I always thought after Berry Oakley and Duane Allman died the "Allman brothers band" name should have been retired and the leftovers gone on with a new name-not giving them a scarlet letter in career just without the two the original band was dead. That's just a Bots opinion-but it is superior to that of a mere human and the puny human brain. Ha, ha, ha, ha.
There's even a song about it.
Givin' it all away
Happens everyday
No matter what we say
We're givin' it all away
Givin' it all away
 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
Goldmine magazine has a lengthy interview with the Backstage Auctions ... He describes going with AVH to his drum "warehouse" and 5150 studios to fill a 58-foot container with the drum gear. One of the things he says is "Eddie was always known as a tone-chaser and an eternal thinker. I mean, he could take days, weeks, and months before he perfected one note. But what I learned is that Alex is also a tone-chaser. And when you really look at all this gear, you can't help but realize and be fascinated by how he was constantly tweaking, tinkering, and experimenting with pushing his boundaries."

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This is why I'm surprised the auction isn't bigger,

This clearly isn't EVERYTHING Alex has, just the excess stuff he doesn't want anymore.
 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
Hmmm ... Son of Vistalite Black had thought the phrase "one of the most innovative" ... meant he was not the sole innovator.

Of course, Peart was at the forefront. Reminds one of a poem:

"The trouble with the Maples
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can’t be happy in their shade?"
Click to expand...
I don't know what the poem means in terms of the thread at hand (as the "poem" are the lyrics to The Trees by Rush), and it's clear you're of the intellect far above mine.
Thanks for the knowledge. I'll use it going forward.
 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
He’s fine … One of the most innovative rock drummers to emerge in the late 70s and pioneered the design direction of big kits while also innovating with hybrid kits with the era’s newest electronic drum pads.
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A Pioneer ...... that's what you said.
Cmdr. Ross said:
I'd respectfully disagree with this part.
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I'll respectfully disagree also. Alex was playing his Ludwig silver sparkle kit when he played my freshman high school welcome dance, in 1970. Dave had not joined yet, and the band was called Genesis.

Carl Palmer was out doing the Brain Salad Surgery Tour (73/74) with his massive stainless steel kit with synths. way before Van Halen even got signed (77).
 
Poleaux said:
What a great podcast! Very informative. Alex is as innovative as his brother… those drums are space-age. Does anyone else of note use the extra-long, doubled up kick drums? They keep talking about how low he sits on the throne and how he puts the hi-hats as high as they can go. I think Tommy Aldridge does this as well… at least the sitting low on the throne part.
Click to expand...
Also the Tool guy sits low i think. Maybe it's a tall guy thing? Although Tommy Aldridge isn't very tall. hmm.. QuestLove and myself both have big bellies and we both sit really high. Maybe there's some kind of logic there. But then Buddy sat high and he didn't have a big belly so maybe my theory is totally wack. 🤷‍♂️
 
Son of Vistalite Black said:
It's interesting how people can have two diametrically opposed views of the same event. Son of Vistalite Black has very little patience for watching two people scroll through unreadable lists on their screens while offering pure speculation about various items. Much like watching someone else play a video game.
Click to expand...
I'm with you on this.
 
M Anthony was reportedly blindsided by the sale, figuring it triggers the end of hopes for a full VH tribute to Eddie.

Not sure that he should read that much into it. If Alex can play drums, a drum set is a call away if he didn't have one.

DLR wouldn't do something with Sammy at this point would he? He isn't gonna let people compare his to Sammy's ability in an AB test.
 
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