It was the end of an era for an entire generation of rock fans and musicians who came of age in the 1980's, as the news spread yesterday (October 6th) that Eddie Van Halen died at age 65 after years of battling throat cancer. He is survived by his son Wolfgang, second wife Janie, and brother and Van Halen bandmate, Alex Van Halen.
Wolfgang posted a message to fans on social media, which read: “I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best father I could ever 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.”
Wolfgang's mother, actress Valerie Bertinelli, Eddie's first wife of 26 years, simply tweeted 20 broken hearts.