Eddie Van Halen Has Passed Away, Age 65

It's a dark day, following the news Van Halen guitarist and rock legend Eddie Van Halen has passed away, following a long battle with cancer, age 65.

Our resident music guru, Dean Clairs, made an emotional tribute to the legend this morning.

LISTEN:

Announcing the news. his son and band mate Wolfgang Van Halen said on Twitter this morning; "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 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".

See the official announcement:

Eddie Van Halen kept his health struggles quiet, shying from the limelight over the past few years, with band members keeping his illness quiet over the past few years.

Eddie Van Halen will always be considered one the best rock guitarists, ever.  He and his brother Alex, formed the ground breaking rock band Van Halen in 1972, becoming a staple of the hard rock sound, influencing generations of rock musicians.

Van Halen were inducted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, they are Grammy Award winners and one of the best selling artists of all time.