Celebrities are reacting to the news that Eddie Van Halen, the iconic guitarist and co-founder of band Van Halen, has died.
The musician’s son Wolfgang announced the news on Twitter Tuesday, revealing that his father died of cancer at the age of 65.
“I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning,” Wolfgang wrote. “He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.”
Van Halen’s widow, Janie Liszewski, who married the musician in 2009, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram Wednesday.
“My heart and soul have been shattered into a million pieces,” she wrote. “I never knew it was possible to cry so many tears or feel such incredible sadness. Our journey together has not always been an easy one but in the end and always we have a connection and love that will always be. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I have ever had to do so instead I say so long, I will see you again soon in a place with no pain or sorrow.
“Please watch over Kody and I,” she continued, referring to the couple’s dog. “We love you and miss you so very much.”
On Tuesday, Wolfgang’s mother and Van Halen’s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli also reacted to the news on Twitter, replying to her son’s announcement with a string of broken heart emojis.
Bertinelli later posted a tribute on Instagram, sharing an old photo of herself and Van Halen with their then-baby son Wolfgang. Bertinelli and Van Halen were married from 1981 to 2007.
“40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you,” she wrote. “You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang. Through all your challenging treatments for lung cancer, you kept your gorgeous spirit and that impish grin. 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.”
Wolfgang commented on her post, “Love you, Ma.” On Wednesday, Wolfgang shared to Instagram an old photo of himself playing guitar with his father.
Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar shared a photo of himself with Van Halen on Twitter following the announcement.
“Heartbroken and speechless,” he wrote. “My love to the family.”
The band’s original lead singer David Lee Roth shared a photo late Tuesday of himself and Van Halen on Instagram, simply writing, “What a Long Great Trip It’s Been..”
Mark Hamill expressed his condolences to Van Halen’s family on Twitter.
“So sorry for your tragic loss @WolfVanHalen, but take solace in knowing that he will be long remembered and live on forever as one of Rock’s most extraordinary guitar virtuosos,” he added.
Ozzy Osbourne tweeted that Van Halen was “one of the nicest guys I ever worked with” and that he and the late musician shared many laughs.
“His influence on music and especially the guitar has been immeasurable,” Osbourne continued. “He was an absolute legend. Eddie, I’ll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy.”
Keith Urban reflected on Van Halen’s legacy in a lengthy tribute on Instagram.
“There are lots of great guitar players in the world, but very VERY few true innovators,” he wrote. “Players who seem to have arrived from a far distant planet , and who bring a completely new color to the rainbow. Eddie Van Halen was this and so much more.”
Urban added that Van Halen had “extraordinary touch, tone, and a rhythmic pocket and bounce that floated like Ali in the ring.”
“He was a master of complex solos that spoke to non musicians…THAT IS HARD TO DO,” Urban continued. “The reason was the exquisite melody in his heart, and the joy in his soul of playing FOR people – and it came through like a ray of sun we ALL felt. I say a prayer today for his family and friends. – and from players like me , all over the world who never got to meet him, I say THANK YOU EDDIE. WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!”
Van Halen, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, “forever changed the vocabulary of the electric guitar,” said Greg Harris, president of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in a statement.
Harris added: “With blistering speed, control, and melodic feel, he perfected the art of shredding, unleashing two-handed finger tapping, dramatic whammy-bar moves, and other astonishing never-before-seen techniques. His band Van Halen kicked the American hard rock scene into high gear in the late Seventies, became rock heroes on MTV in the Eighties, and gave rise to a steady stream of shredders and trailblazers ever since.”
Darren Criss wrote that Van Halen “was immortal even while he was alive.”
“The name Eddie Van Halen has always been synonymous with insane ability,” the “Glee” alum continued. “No matter what kind of style you play, no one can deny his colossal influence. To have a sound not only uniquely signature to the artist, but of an entire era.”
Tommy Lee shared four photos of Van Halen on Instagram, writing that he has “no words.”
“RIP to my friend and man who changed guitar playing forever,” he added.
Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton tweeted that he couldn’t believe the news.
“There’s a huge band somewhere in Heaven and I think I know who’s playing lead,” he added.
Comedian Dane Cook remembered how he and his late mother would bond over Van Halen’s music.
“I lost my mom to cancer at 66… too damn young,” Cook wrote. “Eddie Van Halen was 65… too damn young. Another lifetime of memories ahead of them should have been made. This hurts my heart. My mom and I would drive around in her car and blast Panama.. we both loved Van Halen music.”
He continued: “I thought my mom was even cooler because she loved that rock music blasting out the speakers. I’m lucky to have had the mom I did and I’m grateful we had Van Halen memories together. I hope my mom gets a front row cloud to see EVH tonight. I will be blasting his music today mom.”
Songwriter Diane Warren tweeted that “guitars are gently weeping everywhere.”
“Shred In Power Eddie Van Halen,” she added.
Tony Iommi, a founding member of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, shared a photo of himself with Van Halen, writing that he is “just devastated.”
“He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end,” Iommi continued. “Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again.”
Lenny Kravitz called Van Halen a “legendary guitar and musical innovator.”
“Heaven will be electric tonight,” he added.
The band Papa Roach called Van Halen a “Rock God” on Twitter and asked followers to share their favorite Van Halen guitar riff.
Gene Simmons of the band Kiss reacted to the news on Twitter, writing, “My heart is broken.”
“Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul,” Simmons continued. “Rest in peace, Eddie!”
Simmons’ fellow Kiss member Tommy Thayer also commented on the news on Twitter, writing that he was “so sad to hear this.”
Another Kiss member, Paul Stanley, remembered Van Halen as “a good soul” who “always gave everything to his music.”
“I remember first seeing him playing at the Starwood in 1976 and he WAS Eddie Van Halen,” Stanley continued. “So shocked and sad. My condolences to Wolfie and the family.”
Late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel tweeted that “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,” he continued. “Sending love to Janie, Wolf, Alex & all those who loved him.”
Nikki Sixx, co-founder of the band Mötley Crüe, wrote that he was “so (expletive) crushed.”
“You changed our world,” he added. “You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe rockstar.”
Tom Morello of the bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave remembered Van Halen as an “apex talent” and “an unparalleled titan in the annals of rock n roll.”
“One of the greatest musicians in the history of mankind,” he continued. “Rest In Peace, King Edward.”
George Takei also mourned Van Halen on Twitter, writing that “rock and roll lost a great man today.”
“Eddie Van Halen, your guitar was legendary, and your music will live on forever,” Takei continued.
Eddie Van Halen, legendary guitarist, dies of cancer at 65
“It wouldn’t be an hour of the day or a day of the week in the year 2020 if we didn’t at least get 22 simultaneous pieces of awful every few minutes,” tweeted actor Josh Gad. “RIP #VanHalen”
Cat Stevens described Van Halen as “a guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration.”
Marilyn Manson bassist Fred Sablan remembered Van Halen as “one of the greatest of all time” in a tweet of his own.
Flea, a founding member and bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, remembered Van Halen on Twitter for his “beautiful creative heart.”
“I love you Eddie Van Halen, an LA boy, a true rocker,” he continued. “I hope you jam with Jimi tonight. Break through to the other side my brother.”
British musician Billy Idol shared photos of Van Halen through the years.
“Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen,” he wrote. We will miss you.”
Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach wrote that Van Halen and Neil Peart, who died of brain cancer in January, were “just too good for 2020.”
“We all are,” he continued. “My heart is broken”
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