Eddie Van Halen Didn’t Want to Play Guitar, But His Brother Was Better on Drums

The Smithsonian has an interview series called, "What It Means to be American". Last week they talked with Eddie Van Halen about his journey to stardom.

His family moved to California from Holland when he and his brother were young kids who didn't speak English and the family of four lived in one-room of house they shared with two other families.

Van Halen also tells the story of how he got a drum set that his brother Alex really wanted. Eddie didn't really care about playing guitar, but Alex was better on the drums than he was so he let Alex take the kit. It seemed to work out for them.

He also talks about getting electrocuted while experimenting with piecing together amps and guitars out of necessity.