Guitar legend Eddie Van Halen dead aged 65

Rock superstar loses cancer battle

LEGENDARY rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65 following a battle with cancer.

Eddie was part of the classic Van Halen line-up with his brother Alex on drums, Michael Anthony on bass and frontman David Lee Roth.

The band was hugely successful and sold more than 80million records worldwide.

Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, tweeted: “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

MISSED Eddie Van Halen 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.”

Eddie, who fought alcoholism, had battled health issues. He first received treatment for tongue cancer in 2000 and the subsequent surgery removed about a third of his tongue. He was declared cancer-free in 2002 but it was reported last year that he had been privately battling throat cancer for five years.

Sammy Hagar, who replaced David Lee Roth as Van Halen vocalist, said on social media he was “heartbroken and speechless”.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill sent his condolences to Wolfgang, adding: “But take solace in knowing that he will be long remembered and live on forever as one of Rock’s most extraordinary guitar virtuosos.”

In 2015, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Van Halen eighth on their list of the 100 greatest guitar players of all time.