Eddie Van Halen dies of throat cancer aged 65

6 October 2020, 20:46 | Updated: 6 October 2020, 23:04

The legendary guitarist and founder of Van Halen had battled throat cancer for ten years.
The legendary guitarist and founder of Van Halen had battled throat cancer for ten years. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Rock star Eddie Van Halen has died of throat cancer aged 65, his son has confirmed.

The legendary guitarist and founder of Van Halen had endured a 10-year battle with throat cancer.

Van Halen, a Dutch-American musician, was the main songwriter for the band, which he co-founded in 1972.

He lined up alongside his brother Alex, who was on drums, Michael Anthony on bass and David Lee Roth who was the lead singer.

Their most successful single - Jump - reached number 7 in the UK charts in February 1984, while the band has sold more than 80 million records worldwide.

In a statement shared on Twitter, Van Halen's son Wolfgang said his father died on Tuesday after a "long and arduous battle with cancer".

He wrote: "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."

He added: "I love you so much, Pop."

Van Halen first received treatment for tongue cancer in 2000, which led to him having a third of this tongue removed, and had battled health issues and alcoholism earlier in his life.

He was declared cancer-free in 2002 but last year it was reported that Van Halen had been privately battling throat cancer for five years.

Tributes were paid to the guitarist following news of his death.

Tommy Thayer, the lead guitarist for Kiss, said he is "so sad to hear this".

The Twitter account of rock group Pantera tweeted that Eddie's band Van Halen were a "tremendous influence" on their music.

"RIP Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen were a tremendous influence on both Vinnie & Dime & Pantera. Hopefully they are all rocking out together now!" the band's account posted.

Nikki Sixx, co-founder of the rock band Motley Crue, described himself as "crushed" by the news.

He said: "RIP Eddie Van Halen. You changed our world. You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe rockstar."

Kiss Singer Gene Simmons paid tribute to a "guitar god".

He tweeted: "My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie!"

Lenny Kravitz said Van Halen was "legendary" and a "musical innovator".

"Heaven will be electric tonight," he added.

British singer Billy Idol tweeted: "Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen. We will miss you."

Black Sabbath co-founder Geezer Butler said Van Halen was a "true gent and a true genius". He said: "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."

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea said: "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."

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill sent his condolences to Wolfgang, adding: "But take solace in knowing that he will be long remembered and live on forever as one of Rock's most extraordinary guitar virtuosos."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus plunges from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Exclusive
Starmer has vowed to resurrect Boris Johnson's 'Levelling Up' policy

Failure to ‘level up’ Britain would be ‘catastrophic’, Wes Streeting admits, as Starmer vows to resurrect Johnson policy

Border Force staff will walk out from April 11

Hundreds of Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport to stage four-day strike

Stephen Bear was ordered to pay Ms Harrison £5,000.

Disgraced reality TV star Stephen Bear ordered to pay £27,000 over revenge porn conviction or face nine months in jail

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for crypto fraud

Exclusive
Covid no excuse for death of Finley Boden who was murdered by drug-addled parents, child protection chief says

Covid no excuse for death of Finley Boden who was murdered by drug-addled parents, child protection chief says

France Valentino

Former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele named Valentino creative director

Know your limits this summer, Brits have been warned

‘Know your limits’: Brits heading to the Euros this summer warned against drinking ‘too much German beer’

Russia Shooting

Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143

Sam Bankman-Fried has been jailed for 25 years for a $8bn crypto fraud

'Crypto King' Sam Bankman-Fried jailed for 25 years for stealing billions of dollars from his customers

Michael Gove has been urged to 'get on with' passing the rental reforms

Ministers accused of making 'major concessions to landlords' after renters reforms 'watered down'

Supermarket opening times for Easter 2024: Trading hour revealed for Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi

Supermarket opening times for Easter 2024: Trading hours revealed for Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi