Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Dies at 65 — inside His Long and Arduous Battle with Cancer

On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, the Rock ‘n Roll community lost a legend in Eddie Van Halen. The legendary rock star passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.

Eddie Van Halen’s death was announced by his son, Wolfgang Van Halen, 29, via heartfelt Twitter and Instagram posts. The rock star’s son shared his disbelief at having to make the heartbreaking announcement writing:

“My father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.”

Eddie Van Halen at the 10th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic at Lakeside Country Club on May 1, 2017, in Toluca Lake, California | Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images

WOLFGANG MOURNS DAD’S DEATH

Wolfgang also confessed how Eddie had been the best father he could’ve ever asked for. He continued noting how every moment he’d shared, on and off stage, with the rock music legend was a gift to him.

From 2000 to 2002, Van Halen battled and managed to defeat tongue cancer.

The star’s son admitted that he was heartbroken by the death and didn’t think he would ever fully recover from the loss. He concluded his post by sharing his love with his father.

WHERE AND HOW HE DIED

According to “TMZ” sources, the Van Halen band member was said to have died in Santa Monica at St. John's Hospital. The insiders claimed the singer’s wife Janie Liszewski, his son, his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli, and his brother and drummer Alex, were all by his side when he passed on.

In the last 72 hours of his life, Eddie’s health battle became quite critical. His doctors found out that the musician’s lung cancer had moved along to his brain and other organs in his body.

EDDIE’S BATTLE WITH CANCER

Eddie had been battling cancer for more than a decade of his life. The publication claimed the star had been in-and-out of the hospital over the past year for various health struggles.

In November 2019, the rock star had to go to the hospital for intestinal issues due to a bad reaction to his cancer treatment. His last, and recent hospital visit, was for him to undergo a round of chemotherapy for his diagnosis.

GETTING TREATMENT

Last year, “TMZ” also shared that for five years the rock star had to fly between the US and Germany to get radiation treatment. Although he was known as a heavy smoker, Eddie believed he developed throat cancer from a metal guitar pick.

He frequently used to hold the pick in his mouth over more than 20 years ago. Despite his diagnosis, the star would rehearse music with Wolfgang, who became Van Halen's bassist in 2006 and continued attending concerts.

SINGER WASN’T WELL

Earlier this year, Eddie’s former bandmate, David Lee Roth, 65, revealed that the singer was not doing well. From 2000 to 2002, the guitarist battled and managed to defeat tongue cancer.

For his part, Roth launched his Las Vegas residency this year, which was tailor-made for the venue. The 9-show residency at the House of Blues features Van Halen’s signature song, some solo hits, and more.

OPENING UP ABOUT DIAGNOSIS

The Van Halen star first opened up about his cancer battle in 2015 and this was years after his initial diagnosis. He gave up smoking, which he began when he was 12, to try and curb the cancer.

In 2007, Eddie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time. He is survived by his wife, who was married to him for 20 years, and his son.

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