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Legendary rocker Eddie Van Halen has passed away at the age of 65.
His son confirmed the news on Tuesday afternoon, reporting that his father had been battling throat cancer for over a decade.
“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,” the statement from Wolfgang Van Halen reads.
“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,” his son’s statement reads.
— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020
The iconic guitarist rose to fame in the 1970s and '80s with his band Van Halen which he co-founded with brother Alex.
Armed with a guitar featuring a wildly crisscrossed design, Eddie was known as a bit of a mad scientist, curating a sound that placed him among the guitar gods.
As a band, Van Halen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, recording several hit songs over the years including "Runnin' with the Devil," "Unchained," "Hot for Teacher," "Panama" and "Jump".
He is survived by his wife Janie and his son.