Van Halen - Pleasure Dome & Drum Solo

[@rcskins]

Alex doesn’t get near the recognition he deserves. This guy is a monster.

[@SidLaw500]

Criminally underrated! So musical, one of greatest snare sounds ever. Classic fills...

[@loumason6120]

that's an understatement He's a God

[@richevans609]

He isn't underrated! He is Alex Van Halen!!!!!

[@jumpinjojo]

TheBrandon425 Underrated? What the fuck are you smoking?? He played with one of the greatest rock bands of 20th and 21st centuries.

[@swordmonkey6635]

@@jumpinjojo I think he's saying that in any other band, Alex would've gotten a lot more attention because of his technical abilities, but because of his brother's guitar ingenuity and Dave's stage presence, Alex was a "3rd". Most drummers appreciate Alex, but casual fans think "oh yeah, Eddie's brother and the guy who played Hot For Teacher" instead of bowing down to the talent he showed on "Outta Love Again".

[@Sunbeard.9]

One of the great drummers in rock history, bar none!👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@a.s.2426]

Agreed.

[@LightningFire]

I've been a drummer for 37 of my 59 years. Alex was the first drummer I saw live and 5 more times. Alex has been such an inspiration to watch and be influenced by. I was in a bad car accident in 2000 that took 70% use of my right arm forcing me to retire my drumming career, and that was the hardest thing I had to ever do...but through the years of watching Alex n Eddy, they both as a duo are the best there ever was. Now for the last 7 years I realized I could play guitar because I still had that itch to play, so I've taught myself to play the guitar and shred it pretty good. I have still them both to thank for keeping me wanting to play music...and now I am halfway through my 5th self made album of Metal that was Van Halen brothers inspired. I have many influences for drummers and guitars and it has proved invaluable to have paid attention to music the way I hear it and I owe most of to Alex n Ed! Thanks

[@jamesmedina2062]

Damn bro where can I find your music?

[@user-vp8ln6yr3w]

Awesome, good for you. You're a warrior. Rock On ❤

[@499370mlw]

nobody but Alex Van Halen can keep a rythm section strong behind Eddie! Thats why Alex is one of the best in history! His double bass has been a inspiration to many great drummers that's came after him!!

[@blica1]

Alex's playing is unique, powerful, and unsurpassed in rock..His playing stems from many greats including, John Bonham (ofcourse) Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, Michael Shrieve (Santana's original drummer) Carl Palmer, Max Roach,Gene Krupa & Louie Bellson (referring to his signature double kick swing) No other drummer in rock has such a wide spectrum of different influences like Alex.It shows in his technique, versatile playing and uniqueness..He's definitely in the top 10 of great rock drummers !

[@surfinwax58]

What a voice his drumming has! Even before the vocals, just a few taps and I always know it's him!

[@gmrios]

A true master of his craft guided by the greats before him. For sure. You said it!

[@brendan_allard]

Also some carman appice in there too

[@jamesmagario5124]

Buddy Rich as well... Alex is my absolute favorite, topping even the redoubtable Neil Peart only by style points. He and Eddie invented riffs that metal bands borrowed from for decades to follow when they wrote the song "Loss of Control ".

[@demonicsweaters]

Totally, but the double bass swing he picked up from Cobham. He's even said so in interviews. If you listen to Spectrum you can hear a lot of Alex's licks he picked up from Billy.

[@tonelli6224]

Truly one of rocks music's greatest drummers.

[@truthseeker4841]

Wow. Just wow. Alex is just as good on drums as Eddie was on guitar.

[@alholds]

No he was not you liar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joncgillies]

Eddie was originally the drummer when they were kids. AVH is criminally underrated.

[@Ram44]

Not on his best day. Alex was solid but not a top drummer.

[@TheMarksman0415]

​@@Ram44 He is personally my favorite drummer of all time.

[@sw1tched]

Ok even i will admit this is a stretch beyond anything i've ever heard. Alex is a BEAST .... but he's behind about 100 other drummers. Edward on the other hand is standing at THE TOP of the guitar god mountain.

[@bellerazi70]

He is absolutely freaking incredible

[@PipeChoir]

A drummer that changed almost everything about drumming...but never talked too much about it...and had some of the most amazing drum set ups ever...and let's not forget the snare sound...a true one of a kind...

[@bunsenn5064]

Just an absolute monster of a drummer. He hits those things so hard, so fast, for so long.

[@Gitfiddle]

Pleasure Dome is just one rhythm guitar hook after another after another! No one wrote songs like Ed. No one ever had the magical ear of that man.

[@breauxcewayne1971]

Alex also deserves a lot of credit on this song. Not only because of how good the drumming is but according to Eddie it was Alex that put this song together and arranged it from different guitar parts Eddie had. Which after reading your comment it makes even more sense because you said its one rhythm guitar hook after another. Each rhythm part was written on its own and I’m meant to be the main seed for a future song. Alex took all those parts and arranged them into one song. =\/ |-|= FOREVER

[@dondeestacoconut]

I always wished they'd have played a full length version of Pleasure Dome on this tour. It's a great song. I don't know much about drumming, but Alex sounds pretty good to me here

[@rushaholic]

Me too, it's one of my favourite songs and Eddie's solo is magical!!

[@breauxcewayne1971]

Cause he is good. Real good. He got better with age which usually doesn’t happen with bands that successful. He was always talented but it was when he sobered up he started playing up to his full potential. His best years were in the first half of the 90s. Unfortunately after 1996 Van Halen went to crap. Balance, the Twister song and the 2 new ones with Roth showed his playing going to a whole new level. Me Wise Magic was awesome the way the guitar and drums sync up. Amsterdams intro and other things. Real creative stuff. Lots of changes going on yet still keeping that straight ahead hard rock feel Van Halen was known for. Hard Rock with progressive changes thrown in. I wouldn’t call it progressive rock but something between hard rock and progressive. Anyway once Hagar left and the Roth reunion fell threw it all went to crap. Yes Alex can still jam today but those late 90s and early 2000s could of been some of his best work if they had kept up the a steady work pace of one album release every 2-3 years.

[@giuseppe397]

@@breauxcewayne1971 I've just read your comment. What you wrote is interesting,thanks. I don't know much about drums and drummers but I find them interesting. I've been a vanhalen fan for years and I've seen a few concert videos. I think Alex sounds awesome but sometimes out of rhythm,well at least on one of his solos. I think it was on the Live without a net show? Maybe I'm wrong but it sounded like a noise and wasn't in sync. I've seen it with a few live drummers. They seem to be out of rhythm but surely they're professional enough to know more than me. Maybe they've been pissed or drugged up,or both lol.

[@edwardwaldron7813]

donde esta coconut? Check out on you tube look up Oakland 81 concert there’s 3 videos that will blow your mind on how good Alex is a great drummer it never gets old watching them

[@MentalInstru345]

Check out this drums only version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWqndGWmeNqHadE

[@scottquick4429]

Saw them 9 times...Alex, Eddie & Mike were always great! Alex is a WILLLDDD MAN!!!

[@VeRTiGo9191]

This song, and album is always overlooked. Great memories when it came out, just graduated from high school. The album was my summer soundtrack. F.U.C.K. forever!!!

[@josephgengler7258]

This guy pays better respects to John Bonham than any drummer that ever picked up a pair of sticks out there and should be applauded for this, it is a true inspiration to have witnessed him do this through out the years and I hope he continues even though his brother went to be with Jesus!!! He is a true, true talent among drummer's ( We Love You Alex!!! )

[@nareshgb1]

Loved the pep talk in the end - lovely guy Alex. One of my favorite drummers.

[@treyman6899]

Loved the way his kit sounded on this tour!

[@valeriemilano2530]

Alex, an insane talent and a wonderful man. Miss him terribly - we were very happy for the one year around 1981 when we dated.

[@twown]

Tell us more, Val. Please.

[@thehollywoodtimes3299]

@@twown a great year for them and for all the weddings. I was with Al at Lisa and Steve Vando wedding (their road manager) at the time. Their merch girl Renee's. Michael Anthony and Sue's wedding and also Valerie and Ed's the year I was with Al. Wish I could find him to send my condolences

[@ghostlandgrand64]

Nothing but respect and admiration for the legend AVH. One of my all time fave rock and roll drummers 🥁🔥🤘🏾

[@ohsorrypluto]

Wolfgang Van Halen has the coolest dad and uncle in the whole fucking world!

[@ferjam7489]

I'm 48 now, and still think of this man as the supernatural man of the kit. Thank you so very much Alex.

[@humbucker01]

This is amazing to watch!!!Alex is a machine; smooth,yet so powerful. He always has a good groove too!And his kit always sounds really good especially his snare He clearly is THE BEST drummer

[@johnnyd63]

I agree...He was the best drummer in Van Halen.

[@GuitarGangsterArmi]

@@johnnyd63 the only drummer you ass

[@quatrodenovembro]

One of the best of all times.

[@michaelturner4357]

Such a great drummer 🤘🏻. I haven’t watched this video in so long. I’m now reminded why I love this band. This is how I prefer to remember them. So good

[@mikefields4136]

This is my favorite kit Alex toured with. Something unique about the kick here...and this was the SMALLEST kit he probably toured with as well, but man, he has ALWAYS had that amazing snare sound!

[@crdnlsyn13]

Greatest underrated drummer in history ...

[@roba1899]

This shows the band's ability to attain both complexity AND the darkness that we feel in the raw track Girl Gone Bad .. genius.

[@swordmonkey6635]

Girl Gone Bad was the best drum song on 1984. Most people point to Hot For Teacher, but Girl Gone Bad was VH doing prog rock... which carried over to Pleasure Dome 3 studio albums later.

[@danielzalevsky3414]

Phenomenal song from a phenomenal album. Van Halen are the band equivalent of the 1995 Chicago bulls. World class at every level from the bass, guitar, drums, to vocals.

[@twown]

The Bulls while Jordan was playing baseball? Interesting.

[@MrDuds1984]

96 Bulls

[@GuitarGangsterArmi]

@@twown😂😂😂😂😂

[@GuitarGangsterArmi]

No we all know the Bulls dynasty is the sports equivalent of Scorpions.

[@supertruckertroy]

i cannot believe there isnt more views than this man is a F'n genius, ive listened to ass loads of drum solos, i havent heard any of them that have the pure speed as him. like I read on a comment He gets no where near enough recognition.

[@GoodSneakers]

Alex is forever on my Top Drummers Ever list together with Peart, Porcaro, Collins, Copeland and Bruford. The very best. Alex was such a good compositional drummer and just like his band mates he had both the chops and the party. What Van Halen did between 1978 and 1991 very few bands came remotely close to.

[@sergiocarlos5395]

Alex Van Halen is a monster on the drums. Very underrated rhythm machine. 🤘😌

[@rockingsteady4019]

Without doubt one of the best drummers on the globe: ultimate muscle control building flashing speed to develop a huge variaty of beats that are added to the rhythm. This is definately topsport ❤

[@dennisn1672]

Top of his game here. Alex is truly one the best drummers ever. I consider alex and eddie the best duo ever. They put rock and roll back on map and have never been outdone to this day. And i doubt they ever will be. R.I.P. Eddie. And thank you guys for the years of great music and showmanship above and beyond.

[@morbidmanmusic]

What makes you able to say he is one of the best...... ever!? Lol. My god, people. Get straight.

[@jamesmedina2062]

What a humble honest and amazing man always sharing his passion and joy. ❤️🤘

[@drumsanddrumming]

His playing is very attractive in many ways, like his sound and energy. amazing he manages to play on that level still

[@user-vp8ln6yr3w]

Just pure rock and roll. Gotta love it. And he's such a nice guy.

[@theyoungone8872]

Never say never...but...we may never see a rock n roll band like this ever again...

[@BRO77TX]

Naaaa...you can safely say never to that!! VH is forever in a league of their own!!

[@theyoungone8872]

@@BRO77TX When I listen to the first 2 albums from VH it is so well done...I guess that was what I meant...will we ever see a "new" band that is as explosive as early VH?...probably not...but maybe...

[@Mamasan742]

I miss these guys so much. This brings me back to very exciting times of my life. #goosebumps #VanHalen

[@STIXAHOY]

Something about Alex's drumming that...........well......... has a mind of its own. So very very original

[@mhathaway35]

One of the underrated drummers. This guy is amazing. As much of an influence as Peart, Moon , Rich and Bonham.

[@Matty0923]

Peart the GOAT in my opinion

[@robertbudil532]

Don't forget Billy cobham and Carl palmer!

[@Matty0923]

@@robertbudil532 Carl Palmer a beast; so underrated!!

[@blica1]

I think that Alex single handedly kept Ludwig steadily in business throughout the 80's and 90's, when they weren't doing to well..During that time, they must have made at least 10 custom kits for him, all probably taking about 6 months to a year to produce.. I think that Ringo, Bonzo, and Alex are the top 3 Ludwig endorsers in rock history..Yes, there have been countless other rock drummers who endorsed Ludwig for many years, but none so significant as those 3 drummers..

[@graemeclarke4268]

Tom Frost What about Carmine Appice!???

[@slappyboxer]

Corrie Morrison i bit out of place,great wig n all but the window is closing.great player if u can get him to shut it up

[@paulie0706]

I believe Neil Peart used all Ludwig until 1994 when they did Test for Echo.

[@blica1]

***** Lol !.. Read carefully.. I did mention him..

[@crazycooper1024]

blica1 Most Likely yep

[@thekalaoakidd]

I always loved the long intros and outros when it's just Ed, Mike and Al.You really get the groovy-ness of the music

[@shanegriffin2215]

Been listening to him since the beginning. What a beast!

[@treyman6899]

used to have this on VHS, need to get it on DVD!

[@vandavis2182]

I'm so excited see Al play man is the bestest

[@scottspencer979]

To me when I listened to Alex on the cds his snare didn’t have much power but live it’s the most powerful thing ever and I love it

[@gregoryandrews8481]

Tremendous stuff. A unique style of drumming for sure.

[@andersonisaias6214]

Sem sombra de dúvidas...um dos maiores percursionistas da terra... junto com o do Rush...feras

[@richarddonegan4666]

My favorite. Excellent demo of Bonham and Baker. With a touch of Alex...

[@DavidMiller-jo5qb]

For some reason I have always loved how these 3 guys were locked in together.

[@rongourdin9598]

I love him ,saw him at folsom field

[@MegaVince09]

Thank you Alex! You have been always been an inspiration to me and my drumming. Long live rock 'n roll. VicenteCoco.

[@SouthernMBRacing]

I've seen VH once during the Balance tour and the other for f.u.c.k. tour. Unbelievable such a amazing show.

[@davidfounds7026]

Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Bonham and Alex. These guys are incredibly talented. And who is more stylish and fun to watch than Alex?

[@jamesmagario5124]

Ummm... Nobody. IMO, he's the Freddie Mercury of drumming: talented enough to easily rank among the greats, creatively unique, acutely aware that not all the audience members are sober, knowledgable or even musically talented, so he decides to just have fun and let everyone in on it. And people think DLR was the only showman in the band...

[@BRO77TX]

You listed (in no particular order) the greatest drummers that ever lived!! All of them were stylish in their own way.

[@michaelhicks5150]

Buddy, Bonzo, and Bocephus are my drum trifecta! 🤘🏼

[@Matty0923]

No doubt about that. Neil Peart in my opinion is the GOAT. RIP Professor!!!!!!!

[@jts400hp]

His snare always has that "crack"

[@kevinwilkins3248]

Jeff Smith Alex Van Halen Snare- the GREATEST snare tone ever, IMO.

[@jts400hp]

Kevin Wilkins Yep.. One hit of his snare and you can tell it's him, high end pop with body.

[@breauxcewayne1971]

I think he used tape. Either duct tape or electrical to give it that pop

[@sparrovski]

His custon designed snare! A1 alright.

[@SidLaw500]

On the Mount Rushmore of snare sounds.

[@muhdsaiful3098]

My idola drummer in the world elex van halen salute I'm respect skill and discipline

[@b.p.879]

What an incredible and awesome guy and drummer!

[@Koffieleuter]

That year I went to see them live. Absolute treasure!

[@SLiMCHiCKeN5150]

Amazing underrated song. Awesome tune 🤟

[@perryangelone9503]

Top 5 best drummers just doesnt get the recognition he deserves, fits him thoughy being low key guy and more reserved. Love his work this band is all time great with all the members in the band being top musicians in there fields. VH lives in there playing

[@matthewlevett968]

My favourite drummer ever.

[@lk6696]

Always my friend. He is the reason I quit playing after 45 years.

[@jodithomas1381]

The God of thunder

[@stephenszklarski5446]

One of the best drummers in rock F in bad ass

[@rongamble9884]

I remember that tour in 93 came through okc in Aug with vince Neil opening called it hot summer nights tour

[@rickknutson6540]

It's hard to get the respect you deserve specially when you're in a band whose main focus is it's guitar player hearing pleasuredome reminds me back to those days of its recording up at 5150 I heard Michael Anthony's bass guitar more prominent than ever being that Eddie's guitar overpowered everything else in the group Alex is humble and professional and he knows what he means those around him cheers..

[@richevans609]

Alex definitely brought the 60's and the 70's to the 80's/90's and beyond...

[@5150atthewhiskybar]

LOVE YOU ALEX!!! YOUR THE BEST AT WHAT YOU DO BROTHER!!! THE BEST!!

[@matthewflair1919]

Yes he his bro

[@migianaventura]

Alex Master Class!

[@bluesleonard]

I was there. Fresno May 14th and 15th. It was freakin amazing and this vid absolutely robs the performance. But this solo is pure. The crowd was insane!

[@darryllspalding9680]

Alex your in with all the others, you make all the others shine, shine on!

[@jimbro650]

Awesome Alex reinvented the drums just like Ed reinvented the Guitar 👍 Rest in peace Ed🙏

[@lorenhooke8986]

Wow brothers...in since with each other.. amazing always ❤️😎👍🤘

[@ididyermom3273]

I actually love the fact that he used triggers. He blended acoustic and the future way before anyone else!

[@frankburdodrums8984]

The 60's hated on the 70's. The 70's hated on the 80's. The 80's hated on the 90's. And the 90's HATED ON EVERYBODY!!!

[@nissansentraglx]

pleasuredome as an instrumental isn;t long but man is good!! first time ver hearing mike, alex and eddie just jamming! mike holds down such a solid bass as a bass player should.

[@ludwig947]

Great performance!!!

[@falconmami7901]

He is very cool in this era. Now　He is 61　years old and also cool. 兄ちゃんガチでかっちょえぇえ！！すっきだー！！

[@badtripmoses]

One of my biggest influences!!

[@rodrigoabisaber5806]

RIP LEGEND!!!! EVH FOREVER G.O.A.T!!!

[@zeretube]

One of the best!

[@robbierussell9536]

alex plays most of us drummers..CRAZY..hes dam good..hes in my top 5 bonzo,moon,powell,sandy nelson an then there was ALEX..LOVE YOU MAN

[@JokersWild70]

+Robbie Russell You wouldnt include Peter Criss on that list? LMAO. J/K. PC fucking sucked balls.

[@robbierussell9536]

As i said Alex top 5

[@downincognito72]

People seem to forget how brilliant he is due to his bruv, this song is a masterpiece which wld have made zep proud.

[@tonythompson4192]

Real deal he is underrated

[@lamplighter2085]

Lots of jazz techinique and rudiments inner-twined with stadium thunder double bass enough to interest all parties!

[@196620410]

magnifique j'adore

[@TateGg-ji5lf]

Alex is beyond underrated

[@Kevin-dx6co]

I remember the 1st album & going like wow, this guy's really good, his tonality & how he "plays" the drums...wow ! Shit, "Outa Love Again"..fuckin' crazy drumming. And then you have the greatest (hands down) guitarist this world will ever see...we all hurt with the loss of our friend Edward Van Halen !!!

[@iess2006]

Tough song to play after a 10 minute bass solo....props to Mikey on this one, great chops. Alex amazing and Ed on fire as usual, damn those 3 guys were incredible in their prime.

[@blica1]

those weird looking "claws" is basically remnants of his earlier accordion tubing air tube ventilation that he had coming in and out of his bass drums..The reason for that is to get that air flowing to have enough attack from a larger diameter kick drum..in this case , it's less conspicuous, as was indicative of the 90's..

[@PackRipperJohnni]

Pleasure Dome is a great song

[@jamesdeluca6657]

He never gets tired

[@terryhorton817]

Absolutely Phenomenal✔ 💯💯💯💯💯 Alex is a BEAST ON THE DRUMS 🥁🪘! Perhaps The Greatest Drummer Globally ✔💯💢💥🏴‍☠️

[@thomasgray7128]

The song Pleasure Dome was a drum solo in itself!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘Great work on that song for sure!! There’s only one Alex and that’s it😁😁🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘✌️

[@rhythmista7707]

This is a set up I like to to see him with. No nonsense, quadruple bass drums for show, and all other bells and whistles. Just a straight forward 6 piece kit, does the job Just fine, especially for such a drumming machine as Alex is.

[@Terribleathletes]

I never understood many of his drum setups. More drums than he could ever hope to utilize, 75 percent of it went untouched during the show. I have to believe that Alex carried more than one technician for those, otherwise what a nightmare lol

[@kevinwilkins3248]

@@Terribleathletes That's simply not true, of the classic era. Sure, by 1984 and 5150, the Octobans were sadly just for show to fill out the tiny look of the Simmons pads. But, listen to bootlegs of the 1979, 80, 81, and 82 tours and he was all over those kits. Just an Animal.

[@rinotuccini7052]

Excelencia pura de otro planeta

[@JeffreyFrey]

A great drummer.

[@garo52]

Man they sure layed the Fk;n boots to that tune !!! VH was on their game that night :)

[@scorchwhammin]

Alex was never appreciated to the extent he should be due to his brother’s talent…Great drummer and should be at or near the top of the list for rock drummers…:-)

[@sunshineandhappiness6014]

That was amazing!! Love him 😄

[@kevinvanrensburg2468]

Wow, incredible!!