Van Halen Drummer Alex Van Halen Knighted
The 73-year-old rocker received the Netherlands' highest civilian honor for his remarkable career and influence on musicians worldwide, with the ceremony taking place in his childhood city of Nijmegen
Alex Van Halen, the drummer and co-founder of Van Halen, has been knighted in the Netherlands, the country of his birth, for his remarkable career and influence on musicians around the globe. The knighting ceremony took place in Nijmegen, where Van Halen spent part of his childhood.
The Order of the Netherlands Lion, which Van Halen was appointed to, is one of the country's highest civilian orders, given only to those who make extraordinary contributions to society. The city of Nijmegen stated that Alex Van Halen 'still feels a connection with Nijmegen, and Nijmegen in turn honors the band'.
During the ceremony, Van Halen said, 'My cousin organized most of this. I’m very grateful. I think institutions like this are important in people’s lives because it adds a dignity and a gravity to what we do. Whether it’s actually deserved or not, that’s another question. But we can live up to it. That’s the whole thing, is you gotta have something to live up to.'
The knighting ceremony took place on Tuesday, September 1, at the Berchmanianum, the academy building of Radboud University, where mayor Hubert Bruls presented the royal honor. After the ceremony, Van Halen signed the Book of the City, a register of important visitors.
## Why it matters The knighting of Alex Van Halen is a significant recognition of his contributions to music and his influence on generations of musicians. As a drummer, he developed a recognizable sound and style of his own, inspiring musicians for generations. The city of Nijmegen's statement on the honor highlights the immense musical legacy of Alex van Halen and the band Van Halen.
Van Halen is currently working on finishing the final Van Halen recordings made before his brother Eddie's passing, alongside Steve Lukather. This project is a testament to the enduring legacy of Van Halen's music and the impact it continues to have on the music world.
The knighting of Alex Van Halen is not only a recognition of his individual achievements but also a celebration of the band's contributions to rock music. Van Halen's music has had a profound influence on the genre, and their legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans alike.
