EDDIE VAN HALEN Talks About Getting Clean In New Esquire Interview - Vodka, Cigarettes Were Used To Ease Nerves When Performing
April 17, 2012, 12 years ago
According to The Associated Press, VAN HALEN guitar legend Eddie Van Halen puts some of the blame on his father for his long struggle with alcohol.
In the May issue of Esquire, the Van Halen guitarist said “the whole alcoholism thing” developed when he asked his dad how to combat his nerves when playing music in front of people.
His father gave him a shot of vodka and a cigarette to ease his nerves, and that started Van Halen on a near lifetime of drinking.
The 57-year-old Van Halen also talked about the struggle to get clean, pulling his son Wolfgang out of school at 15 to join the band, and his relationship with ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli.
Eddie Van Halen interview with Esquire Magazine will be in the May 2012 issue on newsstands now. Check out the magazine cover below:
