Eddie Van Halen, legendary guitarist and Van Halen co-founder, has reportedly died at the age of 65 after a battle with throat cancer.
According to TMZ, Van Halen died Tuesday at St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica, with his wife Janie and son Wolfgang by his side.
Eddie had been battling cancer for over a decade and had recently begun chemotherapy treatments. TMZ reports that his health had gone “massively downhill” in the last 72 hours.
Eddie founded Van Halen in 1972 with David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and his brother Alex Van Halen. They would go on to become one of the most influential and popular hard rock bands of all time.
His son and bandmate, Wolfgang Van Halen, announced the sad news 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.