Gene Simmons, Flea, Boy George & More React To The Death Of Eddie Van Halen
By Peyton Blakemore
October 6, 2020
The world is mourning the loss of Eddie Van Halen.
On Tuesday (October 6), the 65-year-old co-founder of Van Halen and electric guitar innovator passed away at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
Eddie's son, Wolfgang, announced the news on Twitter Tuesday, writing, "I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father, 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."
According to TMZ, Eddie's health began to deteriorate in the last 72 hours after doctors discovered that the legendary guitarist's throat cancer had spread to his brain and other organs. Eddie, who was diagnosed with cancer over a decade ago, passed away with his wife, Janie, son, Wolfgang, and brother, Alex, by his side.
Following news of Eddie's passing, the entire rock community, as well as other musicians, actors, comedians, journalists, and public figures took to social media to share their grief.
See their tweets below.
— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) October 6, 2020
I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
— Ross O'Donovan (@RubberNinja) October 6, 2020
Oh man, bless his beautiful creative heart. I love you Eddie Van Halen, an LA boy, a true rocker. I hope you jam with Jimi tonight. Break through to the other side my brother. ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/XpcTlPJq9A
— Flea (@flea333) October 6, 2020
We are in a season of grief. Eddie Van Halen, grinning guitar god for a rock generation, dies at 65 https://t.co/SKo9nDpOBe
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) October 6, 2020
RIP Eddie Van Halen you fucking rocked a billion cocks off. Man. pic.twitter.com/6coDqTO47M
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 6, 2020
RIP Eddie Van Halen, 65.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 6, 2020
One of the greatest guitarists in music history and a delightfully warm, funny guy.
‘To hell with the rules, if it sounds right - then it is.’ pic.twitter.com/AZIAEMC5Pm
My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie! ...Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65 from Cancer https://t.co/gITtcndQVv
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 6, 2020
So sad to hear this https://t.co/pawDmmLYCE
— Tommy Thayer (@tommy_thayer) October 6, 2020
RIP Eddie Van Halen, you were definitely a pioneer on the guitar. Rest easy.
— Ryan Seaman (@ryanseaman) October 6, 2020
It cannot be overstated how much Eddie Van Halen contributed to rock music and rock guitar. He changed the World! #RipEVH
— Jason Charles Miller (@jasoncmiller) October 6, 2020
Eddie Van Halen, Hall of Fame Guitarist Who Revolutionized Instrument, Dead at 65 https://t.co/ji0YZJxeI1 via @RollingStone
RIP A genius, musical change maker, one of the greatest to ever do it! 🎸 Eddie Van Halen, legendary guitarist, dies of cancer at 65 https://t.co/U8TvDvZzIF via @USATODAY
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) October 6, 2020
My brother introduced me to Van Halen at a young age and Eddie was the star w that guitar. Not the showman David Lee or the talented Sammy. It was always Eddie. RIP. https://t.co/KoDW4Wlt4e
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) October 6, 2020
RIP Eddie Van Halen. Somewhere David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar are fighting over who’s more broken up about the news. pic.twitter.com/eBqPH0UXBu
— The Sklar Brothers (@SklarBrothers) October 6, 2020
I’m shocked to read the news. R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen. #master #innovator #icon #legend pic.twitter.com/wtqbESmlFi
— Gus G. (@gusgofficial) October 6, 2020
RIP Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen were a tremendous influence on both Vinnie & Dime & Pantera. Hopefully they are all rocking out together now! pic.twitter.com/XtnL33aGsd
— Pantera (@Pantera) October 6, 2020
Rest in peace, Eddie. Today, we lost a legend of the guitar world when Eddie Van Halen passed away at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. From the mind-bending licks of "Eruption" and "Hot for Teacher" to the acoustic wizardry of "Spanish Fly," Eddie ... #eddievanhalen pic.twitter.com/DKf74s3BVN
— Taylor Guitars (@TaylorGuitars) October 6, 2020
Oh NO! Speechless. A trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music. A good soul. I remember first seeing him playing at the Starwood in 1976 and he WAS Eddie Van Halen. So shocked and sad. My condolences to Wolfie and the family. https://t.co/ExAWzFAEYJ
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 6, 2020
Two of the best hours of my life were spent chatting with Eddie Van Halen. A great musician, yes - also a funny and lovely guy who will be missed terribly. Sending love to Janie, Wolf, Alex & all those who loved him.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) October 6, 2020
This is a very hard one to take for so many of us...his influence and his music will go on forever, thank you for everything Eddie Van Halen RIP #EVH https://t.co/AZRUyj1xll
— Taylor Momsen (@taylormomsen) October 6, 2020
Another legendary musical innovator gone too soon. #RIPEddieVanHalen https://t.co/CpdpK0eAzb
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) October 6, 2020
RIP Eddie Van Halen. A guitarist so brilliant that Wyld Stallyns couldn't even conceive of an existence without without him first joining the band. pic.twitter.com/ogq3GvgCUS
— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) October 6, 2020
I'm tearful. Fucking, fucking, fucking cancer. Eddie Van Halen gone too soon. Total rock legend. Never met him but admired completely. Jump is a jam! https://t.co/IS63qxMxLY
— Boy George (the truth is in your breath) (@BoyGeorge) October 6, 2020
Van Halen was popular when I was a teenager but it took until I was older & a more educated musician to understand just how astoundingly good Eddie Van Halen was. One of the greatest musicians ever recorded.
— Curtis Stigers (@curtisstigers) October 6, 2020
He changed the way music is played & heard.
And he rocked.
Rock on & on. pic.twitter.com/Ce9Klj9gcF
Sad to hear about Eddie Van Halen #ripeddievanhalen https://t.co/VO6hg61Dge
— Micky Dolenz (@TheMickyDolenz1) October 6, 2020
I just heard about Eddie Van Halen and I feel terrible about it. Eddie was such a great guitarist and I remember how big Van Halen was, especially here in L.A. Love and Mercy to Eddie’s family & friends. pic.twitter.com/PY8fyrx1Lu
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) October 6, 2020
I am devastated at the news of the passing of my friend Eddie Van Halen. pic.twitter.com/hUyIdKXsdG
— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) October 6, 2020
There was guitar before Eddie Van Halen and then there was what guitar became after he first picked one up...
— Eric Allan Kramer (@EricAllanKramer) October 6, 2020
Damn.
RIP pic.twitter.com/wwq1pO6BiY
RIP Eddie! Van Halen’s music and showmanship was a huge part of our musical inspiration growing up. Thank you for all your contributions to art Eddie. Thought to your Fam and Fans. pic.twitter.com/vpCgjg3umD
— Walk off the Earth (@WalkOffTheEarth) October 6, 2020
Rock and roll lost a great man today. Eddie Van Halen, your guitar was legendary, and your music will live on forever.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 6, 2020
Next time you hear "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, the Thriller album, that's Eddie Van Halen's note for note perfection amazing guitar solo in the middle of the song! Eddie played it FOR FREE! He was never compensated, he did it as a favor to producer Quincy Jones. pic.twitter.com/47wxhRpLrc
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) October 6, 2020
I loved Van Halen so much growing up. Rest In Peace Eddie. pic.twitter.com/uWuNEF7Omv
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) October 6, 2020
Rest easy Eddie Van Halen
— Ryan Van Poederooyen (@rvanpoederooyen) October 6, 2020
One of the greatest guitarists to ever live and my absolute favourite guitar player of all time. Gone way, way too young but his legacy will inspire so many around the world for years and years to come... a true musical legend.
R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen pic.twitter.com/OyiNMMUDjT
RIP Eddie Van Halen. This is one of my favorite stories about how John Frusciante has to borrow a particular wah pedal he liked (original models were made of plastic and he broke them all the time). Value what you have. pic.twitter.com/MmwtNgKt7y
— Dave Weasel (@DaveWeasel) October 6, 2020
Van Halen was the first band I ever saw in concert, and pretty much every girl my age had a crush on Eddie. His talent and charm were immeasurable. Condolences to @WolfVanHalen, @Wolfiesmom, and everyone who loved him. https://t.co/fZgAYxTC33
— shauna (@goldengateblond) October 6, 2020
Eddie Van Halen was an absolute legend. I know what I’m listening to the rest of the week... pic.twitter.com/gOHSVUelkS
— Matt Ferguson (@Cakes_Comics) October 6, 2020
Just when I thought 2020 couldn't get any worse, I hear Eddie Van Halen has passed. So shocking- One of the nicest, down to Earth men I have ever met and toured with. A true gent and true genius. RIP. So sad.Thoughts go out to his brother Alex, and his family. pic.twitter.com/fwIw040YMX
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) October 6, 2020
The world lost an icon, innovator, showman, virtuoso, master songwriter and perhaps one of the biggest inspirations ever to learn how to play guitar. Heartbroken to hear of Eddie Van Halen’s passing. Our love, condolences and best wishes to his his family, friends and fans. #RIP pic.twitter.com/pGhPUXRzyb
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) October 6, 2020
Photo: Getty Images