One of the world’s most influential guitarists has died.
Eddie Van Halen died on Tuesday following a long battle with throat cancer.
His son, Wolf Van Halen, tweeted about his father’s death saying in part “every moment spent with him on and off stage was a gift” and he can’t imagine how he will ever get over the loss.
Brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen formed their namesake rock band in 1972 with original singer David Lee Roth. They started out playing backyard parties in their home state of California.
Vocalists Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone also had stints with the band before Roth rejoined the original line-up in 2006 for a brief two year stint.
Van Halen’s self-titled debut from 1978 is considered one of the most successful in history including hits like “Running With the Devil” and the instrumental “Eruption”.
The band’s album “1984” went platinum five-times a year after its release featuring hits like “Jump”, “I’ll Wait”, “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher”.
— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020
Eddie Van Halen created a two-handed tap method of playing guitar and built his own hybrid instrument using boiled strings and surfboard wax to create a signature sound.
In 2019, Rolling Stone magazine said Eddie Van Halen “rearranged the DNA of rock guitar forever”.
On Twitter, Gene Simmons of Kiss said his heart is broken calling Van Halen a “guitar god but a genuinely beautiful soul” while his bandmate Paul Stanley called him “a trailblazer and someone who gave everything to music.”
Tommy Iommi of Black Sabbath noted his friend’s “a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end.”
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said Van Halen was a “great guitarist” while Billy Idol said “rest in peace, guitar legend”.
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
Kenny Chesney said he is devastated to hear of his passing calling him “a friend and a hero to anyone who has picked up a guitar and had a dream.”.
Eddie Van Halen was 65-years-old.
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
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