RIP Edward Lodewijk (Eddie) Van Halen (Jan 26, 1955 – Oct 6, 2020)

[Astronuc]

Eddie van Halen, rock guitar legend, passed away following a battle with cancer today. He was 65!

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/eddie-van-halen-dies-65-193805148.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Van_Halen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Halen

 

[Spinnor]

"Recently Eddie checked into a hospital to undergo treatment for cancer symptoms in his mouth, specifically on his tongue. A heavy drinker and chain smoker, Van Halen has tried to curb his bad habits in later life, but it seems his early excesses have taken their toll before he could drop them. "



" The duo formed a series of bands in the early 1970s with names like the Broken Combs, the Trojan Rubber Company, and Genesis, but never got significant traction until they came across the charismatic son of a wealthy doctor named David Lee Roth. “Roth was the only guy who had a PA,” Eddie said. “We were renting his PA every weekend for $35 and getting $50 for the gigs. So it was cheaper to get him in the band.” "

From, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eddie-van-halen-dead-200051/

 

[BillTre]

This one is classic:

 

[Astronuc]

I saw them in concert, probably late 1978 or in 1979 with Roth. It was definitely after the first album and maybe about the time of their second album.

 

[Amrator]

I play the guitar so this definitely hit hard. This is as bad as Allan Holdsworth passing.

 

[Mondayman]

Eddie was the reason I picked up guitar in the first place. My high school memories are of drinking beer and cranking Women and Children First and 1984. Their first six albums are a master showcase of guitar playing, he was a legit riff master. He was a true innovator, the most influential guitarist alongside Jimi Hendrix. I am very thankful to have gotten to see them play on tour most recently. RIP Eddie.