Iconic rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen has died at 65

photo by Carl Lender, flickr

Los Angeles, CA., Oct. 5, 2020 — Eddie Van Halen, one of the most influential guitar virtuosos the rock world has ever known, has died today at age 65. The legendary guitarist lost a long battle with throat cancer.

His death was first reported by TMZ and his son Edward Lodewijk Van Halen posted the news on Twitter.

“I can’t believe I’m having to write this but my fahter lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning,” wrote his son.

“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift…I love you so much pop.”

“Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family,” said former Van Halen lead singer, Sammy Hagar.

Rock legend in his own rite, Gene Simmons posted a video saying, “My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God to millions of people, but Eddie was a gentle soul. Rest in peace, Eddie!

Often referred to as a rock genius, at age 25 Eddie Van Halen married popular American TV actress Valerie Bertinelli and in 1991 they had a son, Wolfgang who has gone on to be an accomplished bassist with Van Halen. The couple split up in 2001 and divorced in 2007. Van Halen married Janie Liszewski,an actress and stunt-woman on June 27, 2009

Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, born in Nijmegen, Netherlands was the main songwriter and founder of the popular American rock band, Van Halen.

By the early 1980s, Van Halen was one of the most successful rock acts of the time. From 1974 until 1985 the band’s lineup consisted of his brother and drummer Alex, bassist Michael Anthony, and singer David Lee Roth. In 1985 Roth left to follow his solo career and was replaced by Sammy Hagar. In 1996, Hagar was replaced by Extreme lead vocalist, Gary Cherone before he and the band parted ways in 1999. After a hiatus, Van Halen reunited in 2003 with Hagar and toured in 2004. Then in 2006 Roth returned and Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang became the bass player. In 2012, the same year the band released the successful “A Different Kind of Truth,” Eddie Van Halen was voted the Greatest Guitarist of All Time in a Guitar World magazine reader’s poll.

Eddie Van Halen popularized the “tapping” technique on the guitar — using both hands on the neck and tapping or hammering the strings with his fingers — which has influenced generations of incredible guitarists. Van Halen, like so many other rock musicians, never fully learned to read music.

“Were it not for his titanic influence, hard rock after the late 1970s would have evolved in unimaginably different ways,” said Rolling Stone Magazine. “He may not have invented two-handed tapping, but he perfected the practice and introduced it to a mass audience.”

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