MUSICIAN Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65 after a long battle with throat cancer.
The Van Halen co-founder passed away on Tuesday at St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica with his wife Janie by his side, according to TMZ.
In the days leading up to Eddie’s death, doctors discovered his throat cancer had spread to his brain, as well as other parts of his body.
Eddie’s son Wolfgang confirmed the news with a tribute to his father on 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.
“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.
Wolfgang added: “My heart is broke and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss.
“I love you so much, Pop.”
Upon seeing the sad news, Kiss rocker Gene Simmons shared his own sweet note about the late musician.
The 71-year-old tweeted: “My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie!”
Eddie was first diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2000 and had to have a third of his tongue removed.
He was declared cancer-free a couple of years later, but TMZ reported last year that his cancer had returned, only this time it was in his throat.
The rocker had been reportedly flying back and forth between the United States and Germany for five years to get radiation treatment.
Sources told the outlet that the treatment seemed to be keeping the throat cancer in check and that Eddie was doing well, but that all took a turn after it spread to his brain and other organs.
He had one child, son Wolfgang, with ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli.
Valerie and the guitarist were married from 1981 until the divorce was finalized in 2007, and he married Janie Liszewski a couple of years later.
After forming Van Halen with his brother Alex in the early 1970s, the band went through lineup changes over the almost-40 years since.
Wolfgang joined his dad and uncle’s band as the bassist in 2006, and he’s now one of the group’s three current members, which also includes lead vocalist David Lee Roth.
Source: Read Full Article