Drummer Alex van Halen given knighthood in home city of Nijmegen

Alex van Halen, drummer of the iconic American rock band Van Halen, has been bestowed with a prestigious knighthood in his hometown of Nijmegen, Netherlands. At the age of 73, the drummer was awarded the Order of the Netherlands Lion, a recognition of his exceptional drumming skills described as "powerful, dynamic and precise" by Nijmegen.

The band's founder, Alex, expressed his gratitude for the honour and signed the city's commemorative book, acknowledging the importance of such recognitions. Born in Nijmegen, the Van Halen brothers, Alex and Eddie, formed the band in 1970 after moving to the United States. Their signature hits, "Jump" and "Runnin' with the Devil," showcased Eddie's brilliant guitar work.

The brothers, both classically trained pianists, initially swapped instruments before creating their first school band, The Broken Combs. In 2019, a section of Hunnerpark was renamed Van Halenplein, and a mural painted in honor of Eddie. The Van Halen band disbanded after Eddie's passing in 2020. Support from readers keeps DutchNews free, and donations are crucial for maintaining the service's quality.