‘Ed and I were preparing ourselves for a life in music since we were in our mother’s womb, so it was no mystery how we ended up on stage.’ – Alex Van Halen
Written and signed by Alex Van Halen, VAN HALEN is the official chronicle of the band, published in a limited edition of 1,500 signed and numbered copies worldwide.
Offering a personally guided tour through the band’s legendary rise, VAN HALEN traces the brothers’ journey from their childhood in Pasadena, California, to the release and world tour of their chart-topping album 1984, with complete access to Alex Van Halen’s private archives.
Now, Genesis is thrilled to announce the Art Edition of VAN HALEN. Strictly limited to just 35 copies worldwide, it represents the most exclusive expression of the project. Each set combines a specially bound Artist Proof 'Collector' copy of VAN HALEN, hand-signed by Alex Van Halen, with a framed Remo snare drumhead bearing the Van Halen logo, also individually signed by Alex.
Each Art Edition set is numbered by hand in Roman numerals from I to XXXV.
‘Brothers with different superpowers. Eddie revolutionised rock guitar with tone, technique, and attitude, while Alex anchored those innovations with sophisticated rudiment-based grooves, syncopated accents, and a jazz-tinged feel that still feels modern decades later. In that sense, the quip “Alex Van Halen is to drums what Eddie was to guitar” captures how both were virtuosic, stylistically singular, and essential to the band’s sound.’ – Modern Drummer
Alex Van Halen formed Van Halen with his brother Eddie Van Halen in 1972. Alongside David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony, they powered one of the most successful rock bands in history.
As the heartbeat of Van Halen, Alex drove the band’s breakthrough era from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. This period produced a run of multi-platinum albums including Van Halen, Fair Warning and 1984, featuring classics such as ‘Runnin’ with the Devil’, ‘Panama’ and ‘Jump’.
Born in Amsterdam and raised in Pasadena, California, Alex began as a classical pianist before switching to drums. His early musical training contributed to the distinctive artistry of his playing: technically sophisticated, rhythmically inventive and immediately recognisable.
Known for his expansive drum kits, Alex employed their full range while remaining the anchor of the band’s electrifying live performances. Following five formative years playing in and around the Sunset Strip, Van Halen toured with Journey, Ronnie Montrose and Black Sabbath before becoming arena headliners in their own right.
Alex remained the backbone of every iteration of Van Halen until the band’s conclusion in 2020. Together, Van Halen sold more than 75 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, cementing their legacy as icons of rock and Alex’s place as an enduring influence on generations of drummers.
Celebrating the publication of VAN HALEN, only 35 Art Edition copies are being created. Each set is hand-signed by Alex Van Halen
The Art Edition features a special Artist Proof ‘Collector’ copy of VAN HALEN, hand-signed by Alex Van Halen and numbered in Roman numerals from I to XXXV.
The book is quarter-bound in black vegan leather, with silver page edging and a silver-debossed Van Halen logo drawn from the band’s 1978 World Tour. Each copy is housed in a custom-designed black clamshell case featuring a screen-printed photographic collage and silver foiling. The Van Halen emblem is stamped in silver, surrounded by Alex Van Halen’s iconic burning-ring design.
The boxed set also contains a collection of replicas and keepsakes drawn from the Van Halen archive: a 1979 Van Halen Productions keychain, three Eddie Van Halen guitar picks faithfully reproduced from stage-used designs, six 6" × 4" art postcards, and an exclusive 7" vinyl record. Full track details will be announced shortly.
The centrepiece of the Art Edition is a Remo 'Emperor X' coated snare drumhead, the model preferred and used by Alex Van Halen. Produced specially for this edition and printed with the Van Halen logo, each drumhead is individually hand-signed by Alex before being presented in a custom black hardwood box frame with UV-protective glazing.
Each framed drumhead is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the publishers.
Art Edition: 35 Artist Proof copies, numbered I–XXXV
Signed by: Alex Van Halen
Binding: Quarter-bound in black vegan leather with silver page edging
Cover detail: Silver-debossed Van Halen 1978 World Tour logo
Box: Custom-designed black clamshell case with screen-printed collage and silver foiling
Extras: 1979 Van Halen Productions keychain, three replica Eddie Van Halen guitar picks, six 6" × 4" art postcards and an exclusive 7" vinyl record
Drumhead: Remo ‘Emperor X’ coated 14" snare drumhead bearing the Van Halen logo
Drumhead signed by: Alex Van Halen
Framed size: 17" × 17"
Frame: Black hardwood box frame with acid-free mount, inset caption card and UV-protective glaze
Certificate of authenticity: Signed by the publishers
Featuring a dynamic blend of iconic photography alongside rare and never-before-seen images, and with exclusive access to Alex Van Halen’s private archives, VAN HALEN offers a personally guided tour through the band’s legendary rise.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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