Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Alex Van Halen
May 8, 1953
Amsterdam, Netherlands
73 Years Old
Taurus
Who Is Alex Van Halen?
Alexander Arthur Van Halen is an American musician renowned for his powerful and precise drumming. His rhythmic foundation proved essential to the iconic hard rock sound that defined a generation.
He rose to public attention with the release of Van Halen’s self-titled debut album in 1978. The record sold millions of copies and launched the band into international stardom.
Early Life and Education
Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Alex Van Halen’s musical journey began early, as his father, Jan Van Halen, was an accomplished jazz musician who instilled a love for music in his sons. Both Alex and his brother Eddie received classical piano training during their childhoods.
After the family moved to Pasadena, California, he graduated from Pasadena High School in 1971. He then briefly attended Pasadena City College, where he met future bandmates while studying music theory.
Notable Relationships
A string of high-profile romances has marked Alex Van Halen's adult life, including his first marriage to Valeri Kendall in 1983, which lasted only two months. He later married Kelly Carter in 1984, with whom he divorced in 1996.
Van Halen married his current wife, Stine Schyberg, in 2000, and they have a son named Malcolm Van Halen. He also shares a son, Aric Van Halen, with his former wife, Kelly Carter.
Career Highlights
The debut album Van Halen, released in 1978, catapulted Alex Van Halen and his band to fame, selling over ten million copies in the US. The band, which he co-founded with his brother Eddie, became a global phenomenon, selling over 80 million albums worldwide.
His innovative drumming style was a cornerstone of Van Halen’s sound, leading to signature drumsticks and cymbal endorsements. Beyond the band, he received a Grammy Award nomination for the instrumental "Respect the Wind" from the Twister soundtrack, which featured him on keyboards.
Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, cementing Alexander Arthur Van Halen as a foundational figure in hard rock music.