Eddie Van Halen Passes Away At 65, Prompting Tributes From Internet

Legendary guitarist and Van Halen founder Eddie Van Halen passed away from throat cancer today at the age of 65.

The news was broken on Twitter this afternoon by his son Wolf. "My father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning," he wrote. "He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift."

pic.twitter.com/kQqDV7pulR

— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen passes as one of the most influential guitar players of all time. He was known for his unique style that was heavy on speed and finger tapping which influenced a generation of players after him to try and imitate.

Eddie and brother Alex were mainstays with Van Halen through the band's tumultuous run, which saw three different singers: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Cherone. Roth and Hagar both had contentious relationships with Eddie, but Eddie was key in maintaining the band's sound through their peak years in the 70s and 80s.

Following news of his passing, an outpouring of support and tribute spread through Twitter, as people praised his unique sound and skill with the guitar.

As a non musician, anyone who can play an instrument impresses me. What's mind blowing is how a genius like Eddie Van Halen can pick up that instrument and make it make a sound only they can. One that's instantly recognizable and will be forever.

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 6, 2020

There was guitar before Eddie Van Halen and then there was what guitar became after he first picked one up…

Damn.

RIP pic.twitter.com/wwq1pO6BiY

— Eric Allan Kramer (@EricAllanKramer) October 6, 2020

the thing about eddie van halen is that everybody has fingers but his did thishttps://t.co/DRf60gDTqF

— Brian Grubb (@briancgrubb) October 6, 2020

Few people can honestly say they changed the entire course of music history.

Eddie Van Halen is one of them.

RIP to one of the most imaginative and talented musicians to ever pick up a guitar. There will never be another one like him. pic.twitter.com/sGS1hwJCsJ

— Corbin Reiff (@CorbinReiff) October 6, 2020

RIP Eddie Van Halen. Legend. You’ll always be a star. pic.twitter.com/VN8LfoLtKm

— The Spaceshipper (Ex-Spaceshipsporn) 🚀 (@TheSpaceshipper) October 6, 2020

Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Eddie continued to play shows with his son Wolf on bass through the end of his life.