Eddie Van Halen Has Died

Eddie Van Halen (Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com)

TMZ has reported that EDDIE VAN HALEN, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of VAN HALEN -- has died after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 65.

He died at ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL in SANTA MONICA, CA. His wife JANIE and his son WOLFGANG, along with EDDIE's Brother ALEX were by his side.

EDDIE has been battling cancer for well over a decade, and has been in and out of hospitals over the past year. Last year TMZ reported VAN HALEN had traveled between the U.S. and GERMANY for five years for radiation treatment.

The legendary rock band VAN HALEN was formed in PASADENA, CA in 1972 with EDDIE on guitar, ALEX on drums, MICHAEL ANTHONY on bass and lead vocalist DAVID LEE ROTH. Their numerous Rock hits from their debut LP "VAN HALEN" in 1978, eventually vaulted them into superstardom in the '80s.

The band was inducted into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME in 2007, and EDDIE VAN HALEN was regularly on lists of the greatest guitar players in Rock history.

THE RECORDING ACADEMY Chair/Interim President/CEO HARVEY MASON JR., commented, "During his legendary career, GRAMMY winner EDDIE VAN HALEN contributed to some of the world's most iconic music. His explosive guitar playing and approach to the musical process solidified him as an undeniable force in his field and forever established his place as a true guitar hero. The world is lucky to have witnessed EDDIE's genius as a guitarist, and we know he will influence and shape rock music indefinitely."

ATLAS MUSIC GROUP CEO RICHARD STUMPF said, “ED was an idol of mine growing up. To get to call him a client and friend over the past six years has been mind-blowing. I remember two distinct things that to me exemplified how ED was much more than a guitar god, but also someone who was incredibly generous with his time and money.  First was in business. He donated a six figure sync fee entirely to the MR HOLLAND'S OPUS FOUNDATION. Not even a blink.  He just said ‘RICH, if they want that song they have to pay the fee to the charity.’  The next was personal.  My young son CJ was going to get to play goalie in a shootout at MSG between periods of a RANGERS game. He was of course excited and nervous. I told ED about it and he said, ‘Let me talk to him.’ He chatted on the phone with CJ for about 10 minutes and let him know that he, too, performed at MSG and it was gonna be a great experience that he’d never forget. That really gave CJ the confidence he needed to do an outstanding job that day. The world will miss ED. I’m gutted for his family.  I’m lucky to have had the chance to intersect with him for a few laps around the sun and call him a friend. Keep it loud up there ED."

Check out the BENZTOWN audio tribute here.

EDDIE VAN HALEN is survived by his wife JANIE and his son WOLFGANG.

No memorial details are available at this time.

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