Gregg Bissonette—best known to Van Halen fans for his time with David Lee Roth—is taking on one of Alex Van Halen’s most iconic drum performances: “Unchained.”
In this new clip from Drumeo, Bissonette digs into the Fair Warning classic, locking into the groove that helped define Van Halen’s heavier, more rhythmic edge in the early ’80s. His performance highlights what makes Alex’s playing so unique—power, feel, and that unmistakable swing.
Originally released in 1981, “Unchained” remains one of the band’s most groove-driven tracks, built less on flash and more on feel. A quality that continues to challenge even top-tier drummers.
Bissonette, whose resume includes Roth, Ringo Starr, and countless sessions, brings both respect and personality to the performance. It’s a tight, faithful run that also offers a fresh perspective from a drummer who’s spent decades behind the kit.
For fans, it’s another reminder: Alex Van Halen’s playing isn’t just powerful—it’s deceptively complex, and nearly impossible to replicate perfectly.
Watch the video, embedded above.