Welcome to my website! I’m excited you are here, and happy to announce that this site is the official internet home of my upcoming book

“Van Halen – The Dutch Connection”.

For those of you who have supported me on this journey, you know this also means that I finally released the title!

I’m still involved in the writing process, which started slowly in late 2023, and became more serious in early 2024. It’s a lot of work, but it’s so much fun to do!

First of all, I would like to make something clear. As the title suggests, the book focuses on Holland, the country where Alex and Edward were born. It could actually have been split up in two or three separate books, because it contains several parts. Part I starts with introductions and family history, with a lot of background information about the Van Halen and Van Beers families. This is stuff you’ve never read before. Part II focuses on the stories about the early (1978-1980) concerts in the Netherlands, and includes some really fantastic photos. Part II also contains transcripts of interviews done for Dutch radio and TV. The brothers often were more open to Dutch journalists, making these interviews a very interesting read. Parts III and IV include both my personal experiences and interviews with individuals who worked alongside the band.

Here’s a little teaser for you. “The Dutch Connection” contains the following:

About 500 pages (in English) in hard cover, including over 400, often never before published photographs.
My personal encounters with the band (and ex-band members) between 1991 and 2024. This will outline the 35 Van Halen shows I attended throughout Europe and the US, and the many times I met the guys in the band.
Nine interviews with Mike Anthony from 1996 to 1999. I’m still planning on talking to him again, as well as Alex.
Nine interviews with Dutch engineer Erwin Musper, who was responsible for Van Halen’s sound on Balance, Humans Being, Me Wise Magic and Can’t Get This Stuff No More. The interviews took place between 1994 and 2024.
An extended interview with Edward, done on March 5, 1997 at “5150”. It was the first and last time he spoke about the recording of Beat It in so much detail.
Reports from David Lee Roth’s European Tours between 1988 and 1999.
Reports from Chickenfoot’s European tours in 2009 and 2012, and Sammy’s Best of All Worlds tour.
Reports from Mammoth’s shows in Holland.
Stories told by Dutch family members.
A lot of detailed Van Halen family history, including photos of all the houses where the family lived while still in Holland.
Interview with Pierre Courbois, the jazz drummer who played with Jan van Halen before the family moved to the United States in 1962.
My encounter with Margo Z. Nahas, the artist who made Angel Baby used for the 1984 cover, and her husband Jay Vigon.
Interview with Peter van Weelden, the guy who fixed Edward’s original Super Lead 100 Marshall amp. He spent a lot of time at “5150”.
Interview with Rich Wyman, my good friend who recorded songs at “5150”, together with Edward.
Interview with Alain Clark, the Dutch singer who ended up at “5150” recording some demos.
Interview with the daughter of Van Halen’s fifth member Jim Pewsey.
Exclusive, never before published photos from the 1978 photo shoot Govert de Roos did in his Amsterdam studio.
Rare photos from 1978 to 1984 taken in Belgium, Holland, and Germany.
Photos I took myself in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2015 and 2024, backstage and during the shows.
And more….

Now you probably will understand why it takes so long to write a book.

A little bit about myself: I’m 57 years old as I write this, and I started to listen to Van Halen in 1979, when I was just 10. From the start, I was very serious about the band, and I’ve never let go. Late in 1989, I started the Dutch Van Halen Fan Club and published 54 magazines called “5150”. That magazine is the reason for my very detailed stories, since I kept track of everything that happened back then. Because of my work (it’s actually just a hobby), I got in touch with the band and was able to meet them many times. It even resulted in interviewing Edward at “5150”. Even before I started the Fan Club, I was in touch with the Van Halen family in Holland. Our friendship celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year.

Sometimes I feel insecure, wondering if people are going to like my book. One thing is for sure, though: when it comes to Van Halen, I know my stuff. People who have read my posts or comments, in one of the many Facebook groups I am a part of, know I speak the truth and never tell nonsense. I’m aware that there already are a lot of books about the band out there, but if I listen to my American friend Darrin, who offered to check my writing, I don’t have to worry. He has never told me “This is too long” or “That is boring”. He’s always been very excited about what he’s just read. Based on his outside opinion, I think it’s fair to say that “Van Halen – The Dutch Connection” is going to be a pretty damn good book.

What concerns me most right now are the shipping costs outside of Europe. I hope that people are willing to pay the roughly $30 extra for shipping. That means that the total costs will get up to about $74 per book. I understand that’s a lot of money for a book, but I promise it will be special!

Presale hasn’t started yet, because I first want to have more certainty about the overall interest and evolving deadlines. I don’t want to take your money before I’m sure I can deliver. At this point, I haven’t even set a deadline for the release of my book.

Please check out this website every once in a while, to see if there are any updates. I really appreciate your support! Hopefully soon, you can leave a comment. For now, you can reach me through contact@vanhalenthedutchconnection.com

Thank you for your support!!

Michel Schinkel
Author of “Van Halen – The Dutch Connection”