The Genius Of Alex Van Halen
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 июн 2024
- Alex's powerful and dynamic drumming style and voice are instantly recognizable. In this video, we'll look at 5 songs from Van Halen that simply wouldn't be the same without Alex's sensational talent.
In "Jump" we dig into the choices Alex is making to accompany Eddie's solo. The syncopation, the voicings; each element perfectly suits that moment of the song. In "Panama" we're looking at an over-the-barline groove that everyone has heard and everyone loves. In "Hot For Teacher" we break down this trademark groove that also happens to feature a Lamborgini exhaust! Next, we dive into "Unchained" and how perfectly syncopated and displaced the kick and snare need to be in order to complement the guitar and vocals. Lastly, we explore "Why Can't This Be Love" and how Alex began to push the boundaries with e-drums and include those "modern" sounds in their recordings and performances.
In conclusion, Alex is an absolute legend and deserves all the credit he can be given. And it should come as no surprise that his band "Van Halen" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. So sit back and get ready to discover the genius of Alex Van Halen.
Learn How To Play Drums Like Alex Van Halen 👉 www.drumeo.com/beat/how-to-pl...
Want to learn more about why legendary drummers are so legendary? Grab a Drumeo membership and enjoy videos about Alex Van Halen, Neil Peart, Phil Collins, Danny Carey, and more. Claim your free 7-day trial here: www.drumeo.com/trial.
#alexvanhalen #Drumeo #drumminglegends
_______________________________________________________
Chapters:
0:00 -- Introduction
0:35 -- "Jump"
2:33 -- "Panama"
3:40 -- "Hot For Teacher"
5:12 -- "Unchained"
6:34 -- "Why Can't This Be Love"
7:37 -- Final Thoughts
_______________________________________________________
►Learn Drums Here: drumeo.com/
►Free Lessons: drumeo.com/free-lessons
►Our Favorite Music Products: www.drumeo.com/jared-recommends/
_______________________________________________________
Follow Brandon Toews
►Facebook: / brandon.toews.drums
►Instagram: / brandon.toews
►TikTok: / brandon.toews
Follow us:
►The Drumeo Beat: www.drumeo.com/beat/
►Facebook: / drumeo
►Instagram: / drumeoofficial
►TikTok: / drumeoofficial
_______________________________________________________
#drums #vanhalen #drumeo
Learn How To Play Drums Like Alex Van Halen 👉 www.drumeo.com/beat/how-to-play-drums-like-alex-van-halen/
Since Diamond Dave era is my all time favorite band, I love this video. But since they are, I do know more impressive songs like Outta Love Again, In a Simple Rhyme, Sinner's Swing and Loss of Control. The songs you picked were typical, IMO.
He's probably the most criminally underrated drummer in rock. He's on the level of Neal Peart and Mike Portnoy. The only reason he's not celebrated as such is that he was in the shadow of Rock's most influential guitar player. Ever.
Alex Van Halen is not on the level of Neil Peart.
@@anonuser1 agree with you on that. still agree he’s underrated but defo not as good as Neil. Only ppl I think you could say who were on his level in Neil and rushes heyday were ppl like vinnie colaiuta, bill bruford, Phil Collins (I’m looking at the 70s stuff), Carl Palmer stuff like that.
I’ll give you Neil Peart but he’s nowhere near Mike Portnoy.
You may be right brother.. but you never heard him bitch about being in the shadows while allowing little brother shine! Not that Alex was ever really in the shadows. Alex is the goods.
@@anonuser1 huge Neil Peart fan but Alex is on another level again- especially as a rock/ drummer- every record he did something that no one else had ever done. I'd argue he was better than peart at some things for sure.
What was most impressive about these brothers was how tight they played together.
It's in the genes. Their dad was a jazz clarinetist (I know everyone knows that) and he must've been talented because look at the 2 sons.
My only wonder is did Wolfgang lose "it" after the 3rd generation, or is he living in the shadow of the name... doesn't have enough "mileage" yet. None of his songs are masterpieces, that I know of.
Pantera too. Vinnie and Paul played together. I always heard a heavy af VH when I heard Pantera.
@@Nadinetherescuehound I totally know what you mean. And Dimebag was another innovator and king. If Eddie sat the iron throne, Dimebag was the king in the north. The heavier player, but still melodic and beautiful. And tight with his brother time keeper.
Charlie Benante. Next.
Van Halen records were recorded differently than most bands. The first tracks recorded were Eddie and Alex together, so the rhythm track for a tune would be the guitar and drums, as opposed to bass and drums for most other bands. Their producer Ted Templeman saw to it that this "locked in" feel would be the foundation, with everything else layered on after.
That double bass shuffle in Hot for Teacher is just damn incredible.
I have some inside info that said it was old school, analog . It was was his dual headed mallets ? A second mallet, bass drum beater. that lagged behind
the first. Sorry I’m not a drummer. Still a fantastic groove.
I put it on par with the Purdie Shuffle for legendary beats.
We were playing that in high school when we would combine 2 drum kits to form a double bass kit. This was the first kind of beat we would play. Very simple LRLR pattern, really. It probably sounds like a big deal to non-drummers. I used to do it in reverse, like Bonham's pattern: rLrL on the bass, Left strokes accented and in time with the bell of the ride cymbal.
Til this day I can't believe he really played that without any studio trickery
@@ak47dragunov there's talk of the beginning being an idling dragster and Don Landee fiddled with it and Alex got the Simmons pads sounding the same and they blended it. Al did have to learn how to play it like the album live, but no one seems to remember exactly how it was done, but Al definitely can and did play it just like the album.
Alex is absolutely one of the best rock drummers. He knew when to stay pocket , and knew when the time was right to spice things up, and always added decent non overplayed fills. He left the attention for Eddie and David. Rock solid , great timing and drove every Van Halen song from start to finish.
his balanced playing is perfect. he always sounds just right
Both Eddie and Alex were both musical geniuses
Yes!
Were? Did Alex die, too?
@@jumpinjojo were as in their full body of work together throughout their careers.
You're high!
The Van Halen brothers were always musicians first and foremost, never just a guitarist or just a drummer. Always creative.
I can't think of a Van Halen song on record where the drumming doesn't perfectly serve the song. Fantastic drummer. Not just a great groove but such a distinctive sound, wether on acoustic or electric/acoustic hybrid kits.
It's in the van Halen blood to sound the sound that doesn't serve the song
100%!!
First time I saw him 1975. Blown away THEN!
Dude knew how to tune his skins.
Very true🤘
Alex is one of those drummers that you recognize instantly. His snare sound, his ride bell, the bass drum. All of it was great.
Both Van Halen brothers, despite their egos, played so naturally and perfectly with each other that their sound had “smiles.” You can’t help but feel the massive amount of pure joy and excitement. Just amazing musicianship and natural ability. Imagine one without the other… thank God THEY never broke up!
Alex is certainly one of the biggest undervalued drummers. But as say, if you go deeper, you will be surprised about his genious drumming style.
🔥🔥🔥
He is not undervalued. Where in the world did you come up with that????
He Ha’s always been looked at as one of the top drummers in the history of rock.
@@davidmerlin3344 not really man, he was usually overshadowed by his brother. Except for fellow drummers ofcourse. If you're not a drummer or musician you won't notice. RIP Ed.
Cool ass vid and highly informative. Fav parts- outta love, house of pain, everybody....
Still remember being so impressed with his solo on the OU812 tour.
Prabably the strongest part of his playing is the incredible natural groove Alex has.
Alex's drumming in "I'm the one" from Van Halen is a clinic in big band swing drumming without apologies. The way he sets up every entrance and transition is masterful.
Alex is one of the best drummers of all time
His work on Van Halen II is absolutely phenomenal!! It's where I really began to notice his drumming genius!!
Outta love again!
Have you ever heard his technical work in the last track of WACF? It’s Rush levels of drumming technicality.
@bunsenn5064 In a simple ryhme is probably my favorite track on that album. If Eddie wasn't so good Alex would be the talk of that band!! Drummers with a jazz background kill rock music!!
@@TheMikejf I came to the comments section just to mention that song!
@@smorgdonkey great cut for sure.
I'm not a drummer but very few drummers give me chills when I hear them play. Alex does. He is great
Check out Mike Portnoy !
@@chris.eskimo yeah he’s good. I got to open for them at a festival in Holland back in the 90s. 10 bands, they were the top, we were right under them. I’ll never forget someone from their camp saying “don’t touch that. That’s Dream Theaters!” lol what a D..K! But they stuck it out for decades, and made it! Guys give it to them, I quit after 10 years of playing with signed bands and ending up in court with both. Paid well, got to see the world 100 times, but just quit playing guitar after all that. My son was 3 months old when I had to leave in 30 days without them giving me notice King before. Gone for almost a year! It’s done and over with and can’t get it back. But still, the life experience I have, street and social, I wouldn’t trade for the world!!!! Maybe the world, and a $100 million dollars, but not much else! :)
@@vonvlad67🧢
@@vonvlad67you’re so full of it
One of Alex's best performances hands down. Girl Gone Bad.... That groove and tempo is a hidden gem that most never mention. It's one of my top VH songs.
Absolute agreement! Badassness there
Alex's live playing on "Right Now" is some of the best work I've ever heard.
Yeah, I honestly don’t know why it’s not covered here!
I've been to many a jam where the band asks the drummer "do you know Jump?" drummers like "yeah, yeah" Then I'd eagerly await the solo section to see it played and every time without fail, it was an epic embarrassing train wreck. It made me learn it out of fear.
I think the drumming on that guitar lead section was the first thing I had to transcribe to be able to figure out. It's wacky and unpredictable!
Been there. I was at some open mic thing at a local bar where people are jumping up on stage, total mix and match situation, no one knows the other ppl onstage, I was behind the kit and some dude turns around and says do you know jump. I said no. He said of course you do it’s easy. I said it’s not easy and I don’t know it. Sure enough, 1-2-3 and here’s the intro to jump. I guess we are doing this. I pretty much got it nailed until the solo section, I knew I was in hot water so I just played a really simple beat, tried to score a couple of those syncopated snare notes, focused on counting my way thru it and ignoring what the other guys onstage were doing, waited for that part to be over so I could get back on familiar terrain. Total bluff. We’re done, the guy says see? Easy.
I've always said that Alex is just as good at drumming as Eddie on the guitar. Great player
OMG you took the words out of my mouth brotha
NO!
There isn't a drummer on this planet that can be compared to Eddie!
@@jehudavis5422 ? Equivalent he means
@@mcmc1863 👍
One of the most underrated drummers out there. Never one song sounding like another, with so many different styles.
He has never been underrated. There's always some jack ass making statements like this. Idiot!
I got to see Van Halen live in their prime and was blown away by Alex's great command of percussion in general and an awesome long solo too. Talent apparently runs in the family.
The more I went down the AVH drumming rabbit hole the more I learned and appreciated how genius and talented he was. “Light Up the Sky” is a perfect example of his drumming greatness. That solo is killer with excellent single bass drum technique. Loose and clean. He and Eddie had that brotherly unspoken music connection with some very unorthodox riffs and timing. Very deceivingly tricky to pull off that can’t be faked or casually winged. Major props to AVH.
A great achievement of Alex is that he created a sound of his own. Just like John Bonham and Phil Collins.
I agree. Lol
Phil Collins hahaha hahaha hahaha
@@amrey4392 Ummm.... Phil Collins is one of the greatest drummers in all of Rock. Someone doesn't know their Genesis.
@@amrey4392 yea Phil Collins, drummer and vocals, He rocked, Genesis rocked
@@trieck That he is, but because he was EVERYWHERE in the 80's (Genesis, his solo career, his session work with guys like Robert Plant and Eric Clapton, ...), some people got sick of him.
Perfect tribute, Alex is so special. So many songs with some high technical drummer, for example the insane double bass ending of ‘5150’. He used to play live even faster! I’m glad i’m not the only one noticing how hard it’s the drumming on the solo section of Jump.
Thank you EVH and Alex Van Halen
Alex always swings. Break down the “Mean Street” groove. That kick pattern with one handed sixteenths is brutal.
Indeed
Jazz background . Thanks to their Dad .
I play open handed and cheat on that groove by playing the hat with two hands :)
@@t3hgir I do that too but it feels different with two hands. The beat clocks in at 102 bpm and that wears me out fast with one hand. Around 90-95 bpm feels good.
Hey we need a lesson from humans being!!!!!! Please do a video on that song...really cool double bass stuff going on in it.
Alex Van Halen's groove on "Outta Love Again" is masterful.
has a real Hendrix feel to me the guitar , AVH kills it .
That song is where I first grew to appreciate his genius.
Loss of Control :)
So underrated. He was always tough for me to cover.
Yeah man me too ,I for whatever reason ?? Oh yeah ,he's really good !!
There are two drummers with such distinct snare drum sounds.
Bonham and AVH.
AVH's snare is unmistakable.
Intruder has always given me chills...literally.
Carlton Barrett's
I LOVE Intruder!!!!!!! I would also add that Copeland had an instantly recognizable snare sound too.
Where Alex has the swing, Eddie had the swagger. They complemented each other perfectly. Mean Streets, Unchained and that keyboard solo section in Jump... such natural and perfect harmony between two of the greatest musicians that we will ever see.
Eddie has the swing as well.
That intro figure in "I'm the One"...it's brutal to swing that at that speed.
I love Alex's playing! His playing during Eddie’s solo in Jump has always intrigued me. It’s so different.
Couldn't agree more! The middle section during the guitar solo is so awesome. And so much fun to play!
@@alenmatkovic5190 I don't think it's structured, and I always feel like it's improvised as Alex seems to play it different every time too, but it's so fun. I improvise it with the general "feel " maintained. Haven't really ever bothered to learn it note-for-note. I come from the fusion mentality where no one really plays the part twice. ;)
My favorite by far... " Jump " At 72, I love to trampolein to jump- to Van Halen's band:.. Jump... Listening to it makes feel alive & makes me feel full of energy to wanna Jump‼️ It's simply invigorating ‼️
"Jump" is one of the greatest Rock songs ever in the history of recorded music.
I think the same! Amazing groove going on there.Not too many hear that!
Fan of Van Halen for life. One of my favorites is The Cradle Will Rock!!
I've been saying for decades that Alex is one the most underrated drummers ever.
Dude how could you leave "Out Of Love” from the list? Alex is on fire on that track!
This is something that I never understood. One of the most under-appreciated drummers. After playing for 30 years this year, I STILL can't nail some of the stuff he did. And he always had so many "outside the box" things.
Not only is Alex a fantastic drummer, he's a perfect example of a good human being.
Sammy and Mikey differ
@@CP-kb1du
who
Alex is a saint now that he’s been featured on Drumeo. Lmao 😂
Really the way he turned on SAMMY and Mikey ? He ripped off Billy Cobham Hot for Teacher
Lol…he’s,definitely not. Clearly you don’t know.
Incredible drummer!! What kills me, EVERYTIME, is that snare sound. When you hear it, you KNOW it's Van Halen! And he and Ed were so in sync with each other. They fed off of each other.
Alex's drumming on Pleasure Dome is freakishly amazing!
YES!
I've always said that he's one of my favorite drummers and doesn't get the credit he deserves. Thank you for doing this.
Thanks for watching!
Love Alex Van Halen! He’s always been an inspiration to me as a drummer. Severely underrated drummer!
I am so happy to see Alex getting props here. Lifelong VH fan and I've always been blown away by his playing. But when your brother is Eddie VanHalen, you kind of take a back seat.
The groove Alex plays in the studio version of mean street is straight up wicked. Very underrated drummer.
AGREED!
Who underrated him?? Are you crazy??
@@jumpinjojo I believe you've misinterpreted my post. Alex is a phenomenal drummer but his name is not likely to come up in any elite list. Why that is i have no clue.
He is NOT underrated.
How do you people come up with that stupid statement???
He is hailed as one of the best in Rock history.
@@davidmerlin3344 Unfortunately, They Do Underrate Him,, Because They Compare Him To John Bonham & Neil Peart. Bonham & Peart, Are Awesome. In My Opinion, Alex Van Halen Is A Savage Beast On Drums. The Van Halen Brothers, Were Both Brilliant Musicians. As Toddlers They Were Both, Playing The Piano. As Teens They Swapped Instruments, & The Rest Is History. Their Father Jan Van Halen, Was A Musician. When Alex Was A Teen, He Played In Club's With His Pop. Their Father Is Featured In Diver Down , Playing The Clarinet.
Alex Van Halen’s snare tone is unmatched!
I believe his snare sound is the natural and factual evolution of John Bonham's snare, DAT ATTACK!!!
Absolutely, and his overall drum sound on the albums since day one has just always been so killer..
Hot For Teacher blew me away as a kid and it ignited my love for the double bass drum. I used to work with someone that had the last name of Van Halen 🤜
I always loved the intro to Finish What You Started. Every time I hear that, I have to stop what I'm doing and airdrum along to it. 🥁
Girl gone bad was the song that really made me pay attention to his drumming abilities. The ride pattern he does, the fills that line up perfectly with the guitar, the insanely fast double bass pattern that happens later in the song (it may only happen for 5 seconds but it's so clean). He's a fun drummer to play along to
YES!!! Girl Gone Bad is their best studio song. Another genius song is 5150!
Love that song (Girl Gone Bad)! So heavy!!
And a great drummer to practice to
GGB is SICK!
Hot for teacher did it for me!Good luck to ANY drummer trying to copy THAT intro back in the day.NO drummer could do it(still can't!).Not Peart,Not Bonham,nobody!
Alex is great and a pioneer! And that’s an understatement. One of the Most underrated drummers, so sad.
He is NOT underrated.
Where are you people coming up with that misinformation???
He is hailed as one of the BEST EVER.
The best way I could describe Alex's drum style.... Tribal, instinctive and natural.
One of the greatest drummers of all time.
"I'll wait"....that song kicks ass!you really hear his genius in that song! Love u Alex!
In any other band, he would stand out big time, but he has been the foundation of the mighty VH , way underrated drummer. Instantly recognisable sound, rich , warm snare & cymbals .
Thanks for the ' big rock ' Alex !
Alex is great in concert! He's a very underrated master!
The drum solo Alex does on live without a net is one of the best live drum solos ever.. he's always been one of my influences and favorites..
Alex had GREAT jazz chops which I believe made his rock drumming even better. Those ride patterns were sick!!! And those syncopated patterns were incredible!!
His FEEL is incredible, he always swings, like a loud Ringo.
Intruder was my first beat in 1985. I'll Wait has turned into my fav on 1984. Finish What Ya Started is so groovy, Outta Love Again straight up rocks and has his best fill, and it's just a ride quarter followed by a bass quarter. Two notes, but the timing is pure jazzy masterfull playing.
Great vid Brandon! 🤘🤠🤘
"loud ringo" is so perfect! it can't be emphasized enough that avh both rocked /hard/ and swung /hard/! (same can be said for evh.)
Yeah, that's a great comparison!
That first fill in the first chorus while Ed and Mike are singing "outta love"
that fill is great, right before the solo
Perfect comparison. It's like Edward's rhythm playing, it fits the song so perfectly, that it gets overlooked/underappreciated. Always preferred listening to/playing along with these guys vs. other similar bands of that era because of their ability to swing and leave the song wide open to play whatever you feel like throwing in there, guitar wise.
Alex has always been my favorite Drummer!
He is Amazing!
Im not even a drummer and i knew Alex is a genius and it passed down to his younger brother and thats why they were and always will be the mighty Van Halen, R.I.P. little brother Eddie.
Wow I still have my old Simmons SDSV. Great job 👏
Me too, 6 modules with white pads, 35 years an counting.
I always dig this dude's videos. He's enthusiastic in that "kid drummer" kind of way that I think many of us feel when we get excited about something drum-related.
And, I agree that AVH is overshadowed by his virtuoso brother EVH.
Yeah the dude's happiness and excitement for drummers and drums is infectious! Makes the video a joy to watch and share in on the excitement.
Brandon is an incredible person to work with and we have so much much in store for everyone moving forward 😃
@@DrumeoOfficial this guy is so good
Really appreciate that, Jay! I LOVE doing these types of videos. Thanks for checking it out!😁
Alex has unfortunately been overshadowed by Eddie but I don't think Eddie would have been the same Eddie without Alex's drums. It's that chemical reaction that happens when they play together that make VH so awesome.
Alex Van Halen is one of the reason why I got into learning how to groove in double bass and grooving it in hands like playing hot for teacher. Very respectable drummer along with his brother who is a guitar god.
When I was 9 I already was familiar with the hard rock sound . From AC/DC to Zepp & every thing in between. But when VH came out with 1984 that album started the 80s rolling man. The sound that was coming from Alex drumming was unmatched, it felt like he was taking us into the next millennia!
If there was ANY video where a FULL LIST of the kit that's being played is needed, it's RIGHT HERE! :)
RIGHT NOW! *ba dum tss*
I’ll add it here later on today :).
Kit is a refinished Pearl Export kit (12/13/14/16/22/22/22/22/14x12 snare). Cymbals are all Istanbul Agop Xist/Mantra/Traditional series. Electronics are Simmons SDSV pads + module from late 1982.
@@BrandonToews what about the concert Tom's and rockets?
@@metzilla - ah yes. Two 6” Pearl rocket toms (not sure of the specific depth), and 8” and 10” concert toms (may have been cut down by the owner).
I always viewed Alex as the "forgotten" Van Halen, the "generic" Van Halen brother... thank you for correcting the record!! Such talent in that family, no wonder they went as far as they did, all the way to the top. Rest In Peace Edward, and I hope Alex continues to live a long life!!
The groove that Eddie and Alex got into that created all of that music is something that I think only happens once in a lifetime! A pair of geniuses that spent their entire lives jamming together to create their own completely unique and Kick-Ass style!
A huge influence for me growing up. I love Alex’s drumming
For those not familiar with drums, this is beyond perfect. His timing is so precise its frightening...
I'm familiar with drums and I'm in awe.
Truth . . . I saw them live in 2004 and Sammy Hagar introduced Alex as “the human metronome”. Crazy good!
I heard 1984 when I was a kid and that album is what inspired me to play drums. Still making a career out of it . Thanks AVH!
One of THE most underrated drummers ever. He's obviously widely appreciated but hardly talked about in absolute genius drummers when he definitely should be. Alex has a knack of making really hard things sound simple and fitting for the tune. It's incredible the kind of things he does and we don't even realize it when it's happening.
Thank you for shining the light on AVH!
Dude, this is awesome! Alex never missed a beat, played too fast or too slow. That band was the best between 77 and 83. Period
Alex van halen will always be in my top. Such a phenomenal drummer. The weird timing for take your whiskey home is probably my favorite example of his musical prowless. Also dance the night away will always be my favorite cowbell intro
Alex IS pure genius! One of my biggest influences
Alex, Eddie, and Dave: Three geniuses in one band.
SO glad to see Rev Al getting the props he deserves. Pure genius and lots of heart. NOBODY plays a double-bass shuffle like Alex. Please do more like this video!
I am a drummer and have idolized Alex Van Halen and his drumming technique for ever. Eddie always said he had a hard time playing with other drummers because he was so comfortable and in sync with Alex's style of playing drums. They both complimented each other and knew like a 6th sense what the groove, fill's and accents should be in a song.
Actually pretty amazing! God had a plan for them from the very beginning.
when EDDIE loves your drumming, you know you are amazing
AVH is the MAN!!! Been loving his style and choice of equipment to back his brother since I was a kid!!! His snare sound and approach is unique and has no equal in rock music. Especially his jazz influenced parts.
awesome!!
Alex was overshadowed by his brother in "gallery of the greats" type lists. But he was a stone cold killer behind the kit, and utterly devoted to the legacy and history of all those drummers who preceded him. And his SOUND, my god, what a sound he got! "You don't tune a drum, you TENSION a drum," he said, explaining that every drum has a sweet spot irrespective of pitch. Alex is a drummer's drummer, and I would love to just sit in a room for an hour and listen to him play all by himself.
I saw them in 1984. A dangerous concert for the audience but I was unaware of it then. It was unforgettable to see them at their peak, they could really put up a show.
Poundcake is one of my favourites. But each song has something, one of the best and criminally overlooked on general
That kit is perfection...😍😍😍
Right?!?
Alex is absolutely the most under-rated drummer in the history of music!
I agree 100%
Alex’ name is seldom mentioned with the greats…but he belongs in the conversation!!
Props for recognizing Alex as one of the greats! 2 out of my 100’s of Alex moments
The fill to set up the solo in “One Foot Out The Door” off Women and Children First
On “D.O.A.” on Van Halen II under the 🎼Dead Or Alive🎼 and right before Dave’s 🎼I’m gone🎼 Alex does a kinda 1/2 time fill with double bass and snare that’s just glorious!,,
As a guitarist, each time I ear AVH, I think "what a dream to play with a drummer like him!"
Nice video, thank you!
Absolutely!
Alex happens to be the best drummer ever. Hands down!! Never get tired of listening to him play. A freakin' drum genius 😜
Couldn't agree more ! My ultimate fave
John Bonham was the greatest drummer ever.
Neil Peart and Bonham were the best drummers ever . Moon , Buddy Rich and Ginger Baker round the top 5..,, Alex ? I’ll be generous and say somewhere in the lower half of the top 20 all time. He’s best at being Eddie’s lap dog and yes man… no matter how ridiculous Eddie’s bullshit sounded and he whined about different things. But that’s what brothers do , back each other no matter what
Not best ever, but certainly near the top. Buddy Rich will probably never be exceeded. Then probably Neil Peart, Jon Bonham and Alex as Rock drummers.
All subjective. Too many greats to consider.
One of the best drummers ever. Unique sound and technique
Aftershock and Amsterdam are two of my favorites. Alex has always been a consistent and innovative drummer that has just amazed me ever since my first albumI was able to purchase, 1984.
AVH is the reason I started playing drums. He's a mad genius on the kit. For one of his signature beats listen to. "Ain't talkin bout love". Off of their first album. Loud washing ride and stupid 4/4 time.
Same, AVH, Lars Ulrich, Nicko McBrain and Scott Rockenfield all inspired a 14 year old me to play drums way back in 1984... What a year to be a rocker, Piece of Mind/Powerslave - Iron Maiden, The Warning - Queensryche, Kill 'Em All/Ride the Lightning - Metallica and 1984 - Van Halen. just WOW!!!
Yes!! Van Halen’s first album was one of the first albums I (tried to) play. Decades later and I still don’t think I do anything he played real justice. AVH is genius!!
Alex has the most distinctive snare sound than any other drummer I've ever heard.
apparently Alex's snare tone was the famed "Brown sound" Eddie talked about
@@t3hgir Brown Sound?? I'll check it out!!!
I read that he was trying to emulate Bonham's tone.
If you snoop around, there's a video that talks about how they got the snare sound.
most underrated drummer ever.....hes easily well up there with the best...
Alex is one of the very best ever and much under-rated.
Hands down, one of the most tasteful, musical and creative players
Alex has always been a fantastic drummer and significantly under appreciated. Rock on Alex!
I just bought a set of Paiste cymbals. They sound amazing. I think because Eddie became the guitar god and Diamond Dave was the unrivaled frontman, both Alex and Michael were always in the background. They were all amazing musicians
I love Alex's groove!
4:20 FINALLY someone gets the story right! Thank you.
Yes, i agree. When most of people consider Eddie is the central of the band, i admire Alex' groove. He is the real genius in the band
I've always loved the sound and tone of Alex's kits. They just have this raw primitive jungle/tribal character that gives Van Halen that signature wild and reckless rock & roll magic.
I love that they are 'Party Rock' that manage to also be high Art and Progressive Rock snuck in under cover. Love AVH!
VH’s genius was exactly this. Using prog level and beyond skills to create pop/rock hits. No need for twenty minutes song for these guys to show you how good they are. Every prog fan I ever met makes fun of me for liking this kind of rock but VH is always the compromise band for prog guys lol. The fact evh proved he was the best guitarist ever in rock in under 20 seconds in every song they did is what makes them so good.
I would've included the awesome drum break on "Light Up The Sky" and the song "Outta Love Again" on this list. Both are brilliant drumming!
Exactly! Drumpart in the middle of “Light up the sky” is my favourite, grooves like hell!
He really grooves in “Outta love”, and the fills are amazing. I always smile at the bell-kick break right before the guitar solo.
So glad you did this ! I always thought he was overlooked. I got to see Van Halen twice. Once opening for the stones and once at the US festival. Amazing
such an underrated drummer!