Guitar great Eddie Van Halen dead from throat cancer at age 65
Eddie Van Halen, one of the greatest guitar players of all time and a founding member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted hard rock band Van Halen, has died of throat cancer, a disease he had battled off and on since 2000. He was 65. The tragic news was confirmed Tuesday afternoon by his son and bandmate, Van Halen bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, 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,” Wolfgang posted. “He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I share 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
According to TMZ, which first broke the news, the legendary guitarist’s condition suddenly and drastically worsened during the past 72 hours, with doctors discovering that his throat cancer had spread to his brain and other organs. TMZ reports that Eddie died at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., with his wife Janie, his brother and bandmate Alex Van Halen, and Wolfgang by his side.
Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was born Jan. 26, 1955, in Amsterdam, and moved to America with his family in 1962, settling in Pasadena, Calif., where both he and his brother began studying piano. Though he never fully learned to read music, Eddie won several piano competitions as a child, with judges noting his unusual knack for interpreting classical pieces. In 1964, Eddie switched to guitar while Alex bought a drum kit, and they formed their first band, the Broken Combs, at Hamilton Elementary School when Eddie was in 4th grade.
In 1972, the Van Halen brothers formed their eponymous band (originally called Genesis), solidifying the lineup with original bassist/backup vocalist Michael Anthony and charismatic frontman David Lee Roth by 1974. By the mid-‘70s, the band had graduated from the local backyard-party circuit to become a fixture of the L.A. rock scene, gracing the stages of clubs like the Whisky a Go Go. In 1976, after seeing them play at another Sunset Strip hot spot, the now-defunct Gazzarri’s, KISS’s Gene Simmons approached them and offered to produce their demo tape. According to the Los Angeles Times, Simmons took that demo to KISS’s management, but was told that they “had no chance of making it.” However, one year later, Van Halen signed to Warner Bros. Records after that label’s Mo Ostin and Ted Templeman were blown away by their performance at another famous Hollywood club, the Starwood.
Upon the 1978 release of Van Halen’s self-titled album — considered one of the greatest debuts in rock history— Eddie was immediately revered as a guitar god, notably due to that album’s explosive instrumental track, “Eruption” (voted No. 2 in Guitar World's reader’s poll of “100 Greatest Guitar Solos”), which showcased his signature finger-tapping technique using both hands on the guitar neck. Eddie went on to be recognized as one of the most important rock guitarists of all time, perhaps second only to Jimi Hendrix in terms of influence.
Greater success followed, and by the 1980s, Van Halen was on its way to becoming one of the top rock acts of all time. They charted 13 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and sold more than 80 million albums worldwide over the course of their career; they now rank 20th on the RIAA list of best-selling artists in the U.S., with 56 million in album sales in the States alone. After Roth’s departure, the band enjoyed an equally fruitful second career act well into the ‘90s with replacement frontman Sammy Hagar. They won their only Grammy in 1992 for Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal for their ninth studio album, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and their innovative video for one of that LP’s tracks, “Right Now,” picked up three honors at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards — including Video of the Year, beating out Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
In addition to his acclaimed guitar work with his own band, Eddie Van Halen was an in-demand player among his peers, collaborating with Roger Waters, members of Black Sabbath, Queen's Brian May, LL Cool J, and Toto’s Steve Lukather, and appearing on scores for such films as The Wild Life and Twister. His most famous outside assignment was an uncredited but instantly recognizable solo on Michael Jackson's Thriller hit “Beat It”; at one time, Van Halen’s final album before Roth’s exit, the five-times-platinum 1984, was at No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, right behind Thriller.
During his life, Eddie struggled with various health issues, including alcohol/drug abuse, though he entered rehab in 2007 and had been sober since 2008. He underwent hip-replacement surgery in 1999 and an emergency operation for diverticulitis in 2012. He had one-third of his tongue removed in the early 2000s as part of his cancer treatment, and was declared cancer-free in 2002, but in 2019, it was revealed that he had been secretly battling throat cancer again for the past five years.
Eddie Van Halen is survived by his second wife, Janie, whom he married in 2009; his son, Wolfgang, from his first marriage to actress Valerie Bertinelli; and his brother, Alex Van Halen. Upon hearing the news of his death, various musicians and celebrities — including Roth, Hagar, and Extreme’s Gary Cherone, who fronted Van Halen from 1996 to 1999 — took to social media to mourn and pay 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
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 #LongLiveTheKing!
— Gary Cherone (@garycherone) 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
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
Eddie Van Halen 🎸 Rest in Rock.
— Garbage (@garbage) October 6, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/TI4ipeIXbR
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) October 6, 2020
Of all the guitarists I got to play with, he was my favorite. RIP Eddie Van Halen
— Paul Shaffer (@paulshaffer) October 6, 2020
Eddie literally changed the way players play the guitar. That band upstairs is getting pretty damn amazing. Prayers and healing to his family, friends, and fans. ?? @eddievanhalen #eddievanhalen
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) 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
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
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
Two of the best hours of my life were spent chatting with Eddie Van Halen. A great musician, yes - also a funny and lovely guy who will be missed terribly. Sending love to Janie, Wolf, Alex & all those who loved him.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) October 6, 2020
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 6, 2020
So sorry for your tragic loss @WolfVanHalen, but take solace in knowing that he will be long remembered and live on forever as one of Rock's most extraordinary guitar virtuosos. Condolences to you, Valerie @Wolfiesmom and the entire Van Halen family.#RIPEdward https://t.co/XWoCe8nrZv
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) October 6, 2020
I met him in '93 in Irvine after a show. Super nice guy, actually gave me a hug. Total legend and one of the best guitar players EVER. RIP, dude, we'll never have another like you.
Eddie Van Halen, rock guitar god, dead of throat cancer at 65
https://t.co/SYiUzoyUKG— Zach Galligan (@zwgman) October 6, 2020
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