Replica of Eddie van Halen's Frankestein guitar

The Van Halen Story

Thursday 6 November 2025 - Sunday 15 February 2026

Exhibition

From Nijmegen Roots to Global Fame

Few rock bands have achieved the global impact of Van Halen, a group that redefined the sound of late 20th-century rock and continues to inspire musicians and fans worldwide. This November, Radboud University presents a special exhibition: The Van Halen Story – From Nijmegen Roots to Global Fame.

The exhibition traces the extraordinary journey of brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, from their childhood in Nijmegen to their rise as international superstars. Born to a Dutch father and an Indonesian mother, the brothers also faced racism and exclusion both in the Netherlands and later in the United States. Their story reveals how resilience, creativity, and cultural heritage shaped their identities and music.

Visitors can explore unique items such as a replica of Eddie Van Halen’s iconic “Frankenstein” guitar, rare vinyl records, autobiographical excerpts, video footage, and exclusive photographs. Organized into six thematic displays, the exhibition takes audiences from the family’s Indonesian roots and Dutch youth to their Californian breakthrough, worldwide stardom, and reflections on their Dutch heritage.

The exhibition: Transatlantic rock icons

The exhibition explores Van Halen’s Dutch-American story, presenting a carefully curated collection of materials:

Photographs from the brothers’ youth in Nijmegen, providing a glimpse into their early years before emigrating to the United States.
A replica of the “Frankenstein” guitar, symbolizing Eddie Van Halen’s inventive genius and his transatlantic life story.
Vinyl covers and concert posters from the Netherlands, highlighting the enduring connection to their country of birth.
Books from the Radboud Library, including Alex Van Halen’s autobiography as well as works on rock music, heavy metal, migration, and Dutch colonial histories.
Fan memorabilia, including merchandise, posters, photographs, articles, and collector’s items.
Video screenings, including clips from Eddie Van Halen’s interview at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where he reflects on his journey from Nijmegen to global rock stardom.
A live demonstration of Eddie Van Halen’s signature ‘tapping’ technique, performed by a guitarist on a replica of the Frankenstein guitar, giving visitors a direct experience of the virtuosity that defined his career.

Opening on 6 November

On Thursday 6 November at 3:30 p.m., the exhibition The Van Halen Story – From Nijmegen Roots to Global Fame will open in the University Library.

Exhibition opening hours

From 6 November 2025 to 15 February 2026, the exhibition will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday to Sunday.