Rock legend Eddie Van Halen died Tuesday at the age of 65 after a long fight with throat cancer.
Eddie, along with his brother Alex on drums, Michael Anthony on bass and singer David Lee Roth started Van Halen the band in Pasadena, Calif., in 1974.
Eddie’s unique style and innovation on the guitar quickly made him an idol to many fans and someone to emulate for other musicians.
With the news of his death, family and fellow musicians took social media to post condolences and memories of Eddie.
“He was the best father I could ask for,” Van Halen’s son Wolfgang wrote in a social media post. “Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.”
— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020
Eddie first wife, Valerie Bertinelli, shared a photo of the couple with then-baby son Wolfgang, with the message, “40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you … I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life my love.”
Roth shared a photo of himself and Van Halen on Instagram with the short message, “What a Long Great Trip It’s Been..”
Sammy Hagar, who joined the band in 1985 after Van Halen split with Roth, posted a photo with Eddie and the message, “Heartbroken and speechless.”
Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family. pic.twitter.com/MQMueMF2XO
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) October 6, 2020
Anthony posted, “No words…Heartbroken.”
Musicians and rock stars also posted tributes.
Ozzy Osbourne posted, “Eddie was one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and we shared so many laughs together … Eddie, I’ll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy.”
. @EddieVanHalen was one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and we shared so many laughs together. His influence on music and especially the guitar has been immeasurable. He was an absolute legend. Eddie, I’ll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) October 6, 2020
Black Sabbath guitarist Tommy Iommi shared, “Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again.”
I’m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Qs8tsLPANJ
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) October 6, 2020
The band Black Sabbath shared a photo of the two bands together.
Rest In Peace @EddieVanHalen pic.twitter.com/rD8OBc1ZzS
— BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) October 7, 2020
Metallica also posted a photo of the bands together.
We are enormously saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Eddie Van Halen. We considered him an inspiration, an idol, and after spending a summer together on the road in '88, a friend. Sending love to Alex, @wolfvanhalen & everyone in the greater VH family.
? @RossHalfin pic.twitter.com/wZ9ZKNmK0q
— Metallica (@Metallica) October 6, 2020
Paul Stanley of Kiss posted that Eddie was “a trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music. A good soul.”
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
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea posted, “I hope you jam with Jimi [Hendrix] tonight. … Broken through to the other side.”
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello called Eddie “One of the greatest, most inventive, truly visionary musicians of all time.”
Lenny Kravitz wrote that “Heaven will be electric tonight.”
Legendary guitar and musical innovator Edward Van Halen. 1955-2020. Heaven will be electric tonight. pic.twitter.com/hdLd7atI74
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) October 6, 2020
Producer Quincy Jones remembered getting Eddie to play on Micheal Jackson’s song “Beat It.”
RIP to the GREAT @eddievanhalen. Even though it took a couple calls to convince U it was actually me on the phone 🙂 U killed it on Thriller, & your classic ?solo on Beat It will never be matched. I’ll always smile when I think of our time working together. Eternal ❤️ & props.
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) October 7, 2020
Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee also shared condolences on social media.
