“I can’t believe I should write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best dad I could wish for. Every moment I shared with him – on and off the stage – was a gift. My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this. I love you so much, Pop. ”
The Dutch-American musician founded the rock group Van Halen in 1972, together with his brother Alex (on drums) and Michael Anthony (bass guitar) and David Lee Roth (vocals). Their debut album was released in 1978. The band scored hit after hit, including ‘Runnin’ with the Devil ‘,’ Unchained ‘and’ Jump ‘. In 1985 Roth was replaced by Sammy Hagar. In 2006 son Wolfgang joined the band as bass player.
Eddie had been battling throat cancer for about ten years. He was an avid smoker for many years, but got cancer from the metal guitar pick he kept in his mouth regularly for about twenty years. He reportedly traveled between the United States and Germany for the past five years where he received radiation therapy. But the treatment was not exactly successful and his condition deteriorated significantly in the past year.