Fresh Air Alex Van Halen / Selena Gomez
Jan 2, 2025
Alex Van Halen, the legendary drummer from Van Halen, shares stories of his journey from an immigrant childhood in California to rock star antics, including fiery drum stunts with his late brother Eddie. Selena Gomez reflects on her evolution from Disney star to leading roles, including her gripping performance in the film Emilia Pérez. They also discuss the balancing act of fame, the challenges of collaboration in music, and the transformative power of personal experiences in both music and film.
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The Broken Combs
- Alex Van Halen's first band was called The Broken Combs, where he played saxophone and Eddie played piano.
- They played at school functions, providing an early performance experience.
Switching Instruments
- Alex initially played guitar while Eddie played drums, but they switched instruments.
- Eddie's natural talent for making the guitar "sing" led to the swap.
Drums on Fire
- Alex Van Halen set his drums on fire as part of Van Halen's act, representing life's temporariness.
- He and his drum tech, Greg, used lighter fluid, occasionally leading to mishaps like Alex's arm catching fire.
