Brothers by Alex Van Halen

In this intimate and open account—unlike any rock-and-roll memoir you've ever read—Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music and brotherly love. A "remarkable memoir" according to Classic Rock, this is a highly emotional tribute to his beloved brother and band mate, Edward.

In his rough yet sweet voice, Alex recounts the brothers' childhood, first in the Netherlands and then in working-class Pasadena, California. Their parents were an itinerant musician father and a very proper Indonesian-born mother—a woman who was both proud and practical, and who always admonished her boys to "always wear a suit" no matter how famous they became.

The book shares tales of musical politics, infighting, and plenty of bad-boy behaviour. But mostly, it is a story of brotherhood, music, and enduring love. "I was with him from day one," Alex writes. "We shared a depth of understanding that most people can only hope to achieve in a lifetime." From sharing a record player and a small house to sharing a tour bus, alcoholism, and the experience of becoming famous, their bond was unbreakable.

There has never been an accurate account of the brothers or the band, and Alex wants to set the record straight on Edward's life and death. This engrossing book offers a definitive and moving portrait from the one person who knew him best.