Eddie Van Halen

 The son of Jan van Halen Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, the son of Eugenia (nee van Beers), was born in Amsterdam on the 26th of January 1955. His father was a Dutch jazz musician and clarinettist, as well as an jazz saxophonist. His mother was Indo (Eurasian) and was from Rangkasbitung located on the island of Java located in the Dutch East Indies. The family moved to Nijmegen (Netherlands) following their divorce. The family was snubbed for their race-mixed relationship during the 1950s. [6] In 1962, the parents relocated the family to the U.S.A. They moved to Pasadena close to family members. Alex and Eddie attended the school that was segregated in Pasadena. Because they didn't have English as their primary language, they were unfairly treated by students of white race. Six years old, they began to learn the piano. older, they began to study the piano.[8][9] They traveled between Pasadena to San Pedro to study with Stasys Kalvaitis, an old piano instructor. Van Halen did not learn to play music. Instead the pianist listened to the recitals of Bach and Mozart repertoires , and then played improvised. He was awarded the Long Beach City College annual piano competition with the first prize in 1964 and in 1967. While his parents wanted their sons to become classical pianists Van Halen was attracted by rock music. He was heavily influenced by 1960's British Invasion bands such as The Beatles as well as The Dave Clark Five. Eddie purchased Alex an instrument when he began playing guitar. After listening to Alex's version of "Wipe out" by the Surfaris and the Surfaris, Eddie gave Alex the drum set and began to study the electric guitar. Alex says he used to practice in his teens while playing around on his back, or in his bedroom for hours while the door was left open.