Roy Jurgens on October 7th, 2020

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Eddie Van Halen, legendary guitarist of the band that carried his and his brother’s name, died Tuesday after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 65.

His son, Wolf Van Halen, who played bass in a later incarnation his father’s band, made the announcement via social media: “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,” the younger Van Halen wrote on Twitter. “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.”

“I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life,” wrote Van Halen’s ex-wife, actress Valerie Bertinelli.

Eddie Van Halen, along with his brother, drummer Alex, frontman David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony rose from the suburban house parties in Pasadena in the mid-1970s to worldwide acclaim. The band was highly original given the era, bringing sunshine, tongue-in-cheek levity and musical virtuosity to a hard rock genre that had been previously been black, brooding and blues-based. Roth’s hyper-masculine schtick, Alex’s tribal drumming, and Anthony’s foundational bass lines created a canvas upon which Eddie essentially reinvented the electric guitar. There are many who can name the time and place they first heard the swirling fire tornado of “Eruption” or dastardly opening riff of “Running with the Devil.” Van Halen was always big fun, from the more experimental vaudevillian Roth years to more conventional pop songwriting of the Sammy Hagar years.

His hot-rodded instruments (occasionally hand made from guitar shop junk), his innovative use of the whammy bar and, most of all, his often imitated but never replicated lightning fast two-handed fretboard technique set him apart from his contemporaries. Skipping a stone across classic rock, Van Halen also demonstrated a mastery of jazz and classical genres, matching technical artistry with pop sensibility in a way that had not been done before. It would be difficult to name a hard-rock guitarist who hasn’t been somehow influenced by Van Halen’s maestro like capabilities. Not since Jimi Hendrix had anyone taken the instrument to such new heights. He leaves behind generations of inspired musicians, 46 years of superstardom and over 80 million albums sold.

Across the spectrum, the music world responded accordingly:

“Feeling deep sadness and overwhelming appreciation. The appreciation and love for him is bigger though. Let’s take a minute and try to imagine our world if he never showed up. It’s unthinkable. Thank you King Edward. You are deeply loved and will be missed.” — Steve Vai

“Apex talent. An unparalleled titan in the annals of rock ’n’ roll. One of the greatest musicians in the history of mankind. Rest In Peace, King Edward.” — Tom Morello

“What a Long Great Trip It’s Been …” — David Lee Roth

“Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family.” — Sammy Hagar

“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.” — Flea

“My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie!” — Gene Simmons

“Crushed. So fucking crushed. RIP Eddie Van Halen. You changed our world. You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe rockstar.” — Nikki Sixx

“Just heard the devastating news… One of the absolute giants is gone. He influenced and inspired an entire generation, including myself. His legacy will always remain. RIP Edward.” — Yngwie Malmsteen

“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.” — Brian Wilson

“I’m tearful. Fucking, fucking, fucking cancer. Eddie Van Halen gone too soon. Total rock legend. Never met him but admired completely. Jump is a jam!” — Boy George

“Completely gutted to hear the sad news. This wonderful man was way too young to be taken. What a talent – what a legacy – probably the most original and dazzling rock guitarist in History. I think of him as a boy — an innocent prodigy — always full of joy, always modest, and those truly magical fingers opened a door to a new kind of playing. I treasure the moments we shared. His passing leaves a giant hole in my heart. RIP Ed Van Halen.” — Brian May

“RIP Dear Eddie. You were in a long struggle. I will always cherish our friendship and that twinkle in your childlike eye.” — Nancy Wilson

“Words cannot describe how monumental the loss of Edward Van Halen is to the music community. He inspired generations of guitar players of all genres. His playing was unrivaled in its ingenuity and its ferocity. Rest In Peace to the greatest Rock Guitarist of all time.” — Joe Bonamassa

“We’re saddened to hear of Eddie Van Halen’s untimely passing today. Given the news today, we want to dedicate our album Van Weezer to Eddie as a thank you for all the incredible music that soundtracked our youth and inspired the record. RIP EVH.” — Weezer

“Eddie was a one of a kind guitarist and human being. He was a master at his craft, a peer I was in awe of and a friend I loved. I am deeply saddened by this news and Marjorie and I send his family our deepest condolences. The world will be dimmer – and quieter – without him.” — Joe Walsh

“Eddie Van Halen, howling at the stars, combing the stratosphere, howling for the children, the burning fields, then free, flies two-handed, straight into the celestial realm where all is music.” — Patti Smith

“Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen. We will miss you.” — Billy Idol

“Sad to lose one of the great guitar pioneers and all around good guy before his time. … EVH had all the flash but never lost the tone!” — Billy Duffy

“Eddie Van Halen was one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and we shared so many laughs together. His influence on music and especially the guitar has been immeasurable. He was an absolute legend. Eddie, I’ll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy.” — Ozzy Osbourne

“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. Sending love to Alex, Wolf & everyone in the greater VH family.” — Metallica

“He changed the course of guitar whammy bar rock and rhyme … A game changer … And his melodic crazy was over the top. … We’ll miss you Eddie. Love from above.” — Steven Tyler

“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.” — Paul Stanley

“Sad to hear Eddie Van Halen has passed away. A guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration. Prayers and thoughts with his family and friends.” — Yusuf/Cat Stevens

“No words. … Heartbroken. My love to the family.” — Michael Anthony

“Whether you were blessed to have known him or not, He was a kind and gentle soul… His impact on ALL our lives was immeasurable! His music, eternal! My deepest sympathies to the Van Halen family… Love you Ed” — Gary Cherone