RIP Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen died today at the age of 65 from cancer. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 2007 is survived by his wife and son. Eddie was one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

We will miss you Eddie.

View this post on Instagram

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. My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.

A post shared by Wolf Van Halen (@wolfvanhalen) on Oct 6, 2020 at 12:26pm PDT

The World Reacts:

Eddie Van Halen, the guitar hero and songwriter who helped give Van Halen its name and sound, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 65.
Van Halen dazzled a generation of guitar fans with his histrionic solos and trademark finger tapping. https://t.co/BT0q7kpue6

— NPR (@NPR) October 6, 2020

pic.twitter.com/kQqDV7pulR

— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020

RIP Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen were a tremendous influence on both Vinnie & Dime & Pantera. Hopefully they are all rocking out together now! pic.twitter.com/XtnL33aGsd

— Pantera (@Pantera) October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen is dead at 65. He was one of his generation’s most influential guitarists, and his band was one of the most popular rock acts ever.https://t.co/WIT7NLqE7c

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen not only played that famous solo on "Beat It," he also rearranged the song behind Michael Jackson's back. pic.twitter.com/ljIuH7GmiV

— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen, legendary guitarist and co-founder of Van Halen, has died of cancer at age 65, his son says on social media. pic.twitter.com/jvLPJpZncN

— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen, whose innovative and explosive guitar playing kept the hard rock band that bore his family name cemented to the top of the album charts for two decades, has died at 65 https://t.co/Q2HbIpkhpd pic.twitter.com/GlxYUHcKgA

— Variety (@Variety) October 6, 2020

Omg…RIP, Edward…Our Thoughts Are Prayers Are With Your Family, Friends & Fans…What An Incredible Loss…Truly An Astonishing Musician…💔💔💔
Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65 from Cancer https://t.co/oA0P9VrnGp

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) October 6, 2020

Another legendary musical innovator gone too soon. #RIPEddieVanHalen https://t.co/CpdpK0eAzb

— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) 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

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. https://t.co/ExAWzFAEYJ

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 6, 2020

When I was 11, I had just started to play guitar and my dad asked me one day if I had ever heard “Eddie Van Halen”.

Since that exact moment, I’ve spent my life knowing I wanted to be a guitar player and working at it every day

Rest In Peace, Eddie. You were my biggest hero. pic.twitter.com/PDeJl9hdRo

— Sullivan King 🩸 (@SullivanKing) October 6, 2020

RIP A genius, musical change maker, one of the greatest to ever do it! 🎸 Eddie Van Halen, legendary guitarist, dies of cancer at 65 https://t.co/U8TvDvZzIF via @USATODAY

— David Alan Grier AKA #LeonMusk (@davidalangrier) October 6, 2020

You just don’t let up, do you 2020? #RIPEddieVanHalen https://t.co/u0IcBkgM7l

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 6, 2020

I just found out that my guitar hero Eddie had passed away. I have fond memories of the tours we did together! He’s up there shredding!!!! RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/CCLZf1IVsw

— Vince Neil (@thevinceneil) October 6, 2020

RIP to guitar legend Eddie Van Halen who changed not only rock music but how the world thinks about M&Ms. 🎸 #EddieVanHalen pic.twitter.com/FXf2GqgVJs

— Eric Monacelli (@ermonacelli) October 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/billboard/status/1313570880065339397

2020 can fuck right off…https://t.co/DBZ1YNKOf7

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) October 6, 2020

No one could match Eddie Van Halen's guitar virtuosity, all the more impressive given that his first two instruments were the *piano* and drums. #rip #legend pic.twitter.com/YJCyJ4AZIH

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/Billy/status/1313572250709364737