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Rock star and great guitarist Eddie Van Halen died at age 65 after a “long and arduous battle” with throat cancer, his son said.
In a statement, his son Wolf said: “I can’t believe I have to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.
“He was the best father I could ask for. Every moment I have shared with him on and off stage was a gift.
“My heart is broken and I don’t think I will ever fully recover from this loss.
“I love you so much dad”.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth in Chicago in November 1981
Van Halen formed the band of the same name in California in 1972, with David Lee Roth on vocals, his brother on drums and Michael Anthony on bass.
The band is best known among the general public for their single Jump, with its signature keyboard line.
The album from which it was taken, 1984, sold 10 million copies in the United States.
Eddie Van Halen had been battling cancer for years
Van Halen also played the distinctive guitar parts on Michael Jackson’s Beat It.
The tributes come from some of the biggest names in rock, with Kiss frontman Gene Simmons tweeting: “My heart is broken.
“Eddie was not only a guitar god, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace Eddie! … Eddie Van Halen died at age 65 of cancer.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea posted, “God bless your beautiful creative heart.
“I love you Eddie Van Halen, a boy from Los Angeles, a true rocker. I hope you play with Jimi tonight. Go through the other side, my brother.”
He had been battling the disease for years after being diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2000, blaming it on the metal spikes he used to hold in the same place in his mouth.
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