Entertainment News2 min(s) read
Published 20:18 06 Oct 2020 GMT
Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65.
The news of the rock legend's passing was broken by his son, Wolfgang Van Halen (known simply as Wolf), on Twitter.
Writing a statement alongside a photograph of his smiling father, Wolf said that Eddie died on Tuesday (October 6) following a "long and arduous" battle with cancer.
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"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," Wolf said in the tweet.
"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."
Wolf ended the statement by writing: "I love you so much, Pop."
TMZ reports that Van Halen died at St Johns Hospital in Santa Monica surrounded by his family.
Eddie Van Halen was best known for performing in his eponymous band, which he formed in California back in 1972, alongside his brother Alex on drums, David Lee Roth on vocals, and Michael Anthony on bass.
Anthony was replaced on bass by Wolf back in 2006.
Throughout the band's iconic career, they sold more than 80 million records and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Eddie received his first cancer treatment back in 2000, undergoing surgery to have roughly one-third of his tongue removed. He was declared cancer-free in 2002.
Sadly, however, it was reported last year that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer.
Wolfgang was Eddie's only son, whom he shared with his ex-wife, actress Valerie Bertinelli.
Bertinelli and Eddie were married in April 1981, and spent 24 years together before Valerie filed for divorce in 2005, with the divorce eventually being was finalized in December 2007.
Eddie went on to find love with Janie Liszewski, proposing to the actress and stunt-woman in 2008. The couple married at his Studio City estate on June 27, 2009. Eddie's brother, Alex, officiated the ceremony, and Wolf was his father's best man.
Our thoughts are with Eddie's family, friends, and fans at this time.
