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Eddie Van Halen, guitarist in Van Halen, has died after battling throat cancer.
The 65-year-old passed away this morning (October 6) according to his son, Wolfgang.
In a statement, Wolfgang, who plays bass in the band, wrote on Twitter: “I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.
“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.”
— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020
Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx was one of the first to pay their respects to the guitar legend. “Crushed. So fucking crushed. RIP Eddie Van Halen. You changed our world. You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe rockstar,” he wrote on Twitter.
Billy Idol also paid his respects. “Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen. Broken heart We will miss you,” he wrote.
Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach added: “Eddie Van Halen and Neil Peart were just too good for 2020. We all are. My heart is broken.”
Metallica added: “We are enormously saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Eddie Van Halen. We considered him an inspiration, an idol, and after spending a summer together on the road in ’88, a friend.”
We are enormously saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Eddie Van Halen. We considered him an inspiration, an…
Posted by Metallica on Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Crushed. So fucking crushed. RIP Eddie Van Halen. You changed our world. You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe rockstar.
— —Nikki Sixx— (@NikkiSixx) October 6, 2020
Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen.
We will miss you. #fuckcancer @eddievanhalen #eddievanhalen pic.twitter.com/S4vnN3tyWc
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) October 6, 2020
Eddie Van Halen and Neil Peart were just too good for 2020.
We all are
My heart is broken— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) October 6, 2020
I’m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Qs8tsLPANJ
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) October 6, 2020
I just heard about Eddie Van Halen and I feel terrible about it. Eddie was such a great guitarist and I remember how big Van Halen was, especially here in L.A. Love and Mercy to Eddie’s family & friends. pic.twitter.com/PY8fyrx1Lu
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 6, 2020
Just when I thought 2020 couldn't get any worse, I hear Eddie Van Halen has passed. So shocking- One of the nicest, down to Earth men I have ever met and toured with. A true gent and true genius. RIP. So sad.Thoughts go out to his brother Alex, and his family. pic.twitter.com/fwIw040YMX
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) October 6, 2020
The likes of Muse, Pearl Jam‘s Mike McCready, Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Flea, Gene Simmons of KISS, and Lenny Kravitz have also shared messages of tribute on social media this evening.
“Oh man, bless his beautiful creative heart,” Flea wrote. “I love you Eddie Van Halen, an LA boy, a true rocker. I hope you jam with Jimi tonight. Break through to the other side my brother.”
Kravitz, meanwhile, hailed Van Halen as a “legendary guitar and musical innovator” alongside a black-and-white image of the musician. “Heaven will be electric tonight,” he added.
Elsewhere, McCready said that Van Halen “was like Mozart for guitar”. You can see those posts and more below.
One of the greatest guitarists of all time! Rest in peace Eddie Van Halen pic.twitter.com/T0unvRXYmf
— muse (@muse) October 6, 2020
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) October 6, 2020
Oh man, bless his beautiful creative heart. I love you Eddie Van Halen, an LA boy, a true rocker. I hope you jam with Jimi tonight. Break through to the other side my brother.
https://t.co/XpcTlPJq9A
— Flea (@flea333) October 6, 2020
Legendary guitar and musical innovator Edward Van Halen. 1955-2020. Heaven will be electric tonight. pic.twitter.com/hdLd7atI74
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) October 6, 2020
When Eddie Van Halen was asked to do the solo on “Beat It” from Thriller he didn’t want to be credited or paid because it would make everything too complicated. He just asked for a case of beer and for MJ to give him dance lessons. pic.twitter.com/FXcOWSPABz
— Peter Rojas (@peterrojas) October 6, 2020
What's funny is that at the time people complained about how the solo totally ripped off Eddie's style, that's how distinctive his playing was. pic.twitter.com/5xSLwRwvdk
— Peter Rojas (@peterrojas) October 6, 2020
As the news continues to spread of Van Halen’s tragic passing, former Van Halen members David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar paid tribute.
What a Long Great Trip It’s Been.. pic.twitter.com/M5pmkVi7hW
— David Lee Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) October 7, 2020
Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family. pic.twitter.com/MQMueMF2XO
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) October 6, 2020
Also paying tribute were AC/DC’s Angus Young, Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler, country artist Kenny Chesney, Garbage and Nickelback. See their messages below.
— AC/DC (@acdc) October 7, 2020
Oh NO! Speechless. A trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music. A good soul. I remember first seeing him playing at the Starwood in 1976 and he WAS Eddie Van Halen. So shocked and sad. My condolences to Wolfie and the family. https://t.co/ExAWzFAEYJ
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 6, 2020
HE CHANGED THE COURSE OF GUITAR WHAMMY BAR ROCK & RHYME… A GAME CHANGER… AND HIS MELODIC CRAZY WAS OVER THE TOP… WE’LL MISS YOU EDDIE…
LOVE FROM ABOVE
ST pic.twitter.com/ByiJBk2KfR— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) October 7, 2020
I am devastated at the news of the passing of my friend Eddie Van Halen. pic.twitter.com/hUyIdKXsdG
— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) October 6, 2020
Eddie Van Halen
Rest in Rock.
— Garbage (@garbage) October 6, 2020
The world lost an icon, innovator, showman, virtuoso, master songwriter and perhaps one of the biggest inspirations ever to learn how to play guitar. Heartbroken to hear of Eddie Van Halen’s passing. Our love, condolences and best wishes to his his family, friends and fans. #RIP pic.twitter.com/pGhPUXRzyb
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) October 6, 2020
Van Halen had been battling the disease after being first being diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2000. He blamed his illness on metal guitar picks that he used to hold in the same spot in his mouth.
His death comes just months after Wolfgang offered hope that his dad may one day tour again with the band.
That came after frontman David Lee Roth claimed Eddie Van Halen was “not doing well” earlier this year.
Van Halen formed the band of the same name in California in 1972, with Lee Roth on vocals, his brother on drums, and Michael Anthony on bass. This a breaking story, check back for updates.
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