RIP Eddie Van Halen: Guitar Prodigy, Innovator Dead at 65 From Cancer

The world has lost arguably one of the greatest guitarists ever as Eddie Van Halen has lost his battle with cancer at age 65 reported today by TMZ. There have been rampant rumors in recent years of the guitarist’s declining health, yet there has never been a confirmation of his more recent cancer battles.

The guitarist’s contributions to rock are endless and there’s not a single electric guitar player who hasn’t tried to mess around with his tapping technique, tone, or all-around brilliancy. Eddie could do it all and for a period of time, there was no bigger rock band in the world than Van Halen Eddie’s contributions to pedals, amplifiers, and even his keyboard work was considered groundbreaking and helped fire-start an industry in itself. Whether it was the David Lee Roth era or Sammy Hagar era, the songs and musicianship always remained stellar and the band remained relevant on the charts for the better part of two decades.

“I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning,” his son Wolfgang Van Halen wrote. “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.”

2020 has been tough, as we’ve lost arguably the greatest at their instruments – Neil Peart in January and Eddie Van Halen in October. RIP Eddie and THANK YOU!