Jan Van Halen

Jan Van Halen (1920-1986) was a Dutch saxophonist, clarinetist, and pianist. He is the father of Eddie and Alex Van Halen of the successful American hard rock band Van Halen. Born Jan van Halen in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Jan started playing music in his teens, showcasing his skills on saxophone, clarinet, and piano. By 1938, Jan was playing his clairnet and saxophone everywhere, from political events, to radio orchestras, to circus tents. During World War II, Jan joined the Dutch military. He was captured while fighting the Nazis, and was forced to tour Germany as a prisoner of war, playing propaganda music for the hated Third Reich. When he was released after the war ended in 1945, he traveled to Indonesia, where he met and married...