RIP Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of Van Halen has died after a long battle with throat cancer. Eddie’s son Wolf shared the news first:

 

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I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has 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. I love you so much, Pop.

A post shared by Wolf Van Halen (@wolfvanhalen) on Oct 6, 2020 at 12:26pm PDT

The impact of Eddie definitely reached into the country world and we’ll share reactions as they come along. So far we’ve seen posts from Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. See them below:

 

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I am so sad to hear we lost @eddievanhalen today. I loved everything about the fire and style he brought to the guitar. I studied him, heck everybody did, we all wanted to play just like him. But no one did it quite like him. Thank you Eddie for being a pioneer. It’s unimaginable what the guitar would be without you.

A post shared by Brad Paisley (@bradpaisley) on Oct 6, 2020 at 1:42pm PDT

 

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I am devastated at the news of the passing of my friend @eddievanhalen. He was a friend and a hero to anyone who has ever picked up a guitar and had a dream. Eddie and his brother Alex joined us on stage at one of our stadium shows in Los Angeles and it was one of the highlights of my touring life in all my summers on the road. I will never forget that night and how happy we both were that our musical paths crossed that night on stage. Rest In Peace to the best guitar player that ever lived. We will miss you Eddie Van Halen. Your music will live forever!!

A post shared by Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) on Oct 6, 2020 at 1:11pm PDT

 

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Just heard the news of Eddie Van Halen’s passing ….. this hit me hard. There are lots of great guitar players in the world, but very VERY few true innovators. 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. Even without the finger tapping, you had a player with 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. 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 !!!!!!!

A post shared by Keith Urban (@keithurban) on Oct 6, 2020 at 2:06pm PDT