Tributes are flooding in from across the world of music as the news sinks in that the greatest guitar player of his generation, Eddie Van Halen has died aged 65, following a battle with cancer.
"I'm heartbroken and speechless," wrote Sammy Hagar. "One of the greatest, most inventive, truly visionary musicians of all time," said Tom Morello. "Oh man. Damn. I love you Eddie Van Halen," wrote Flea. "A true rocker, a deep musician, a HUGE heart, an LA boy through and through. A bold innovator and the undisputed king of all wheedlers."
"The word 'innovator' gets thrown around a lot in this industry," said Nita Strauss. "In my humble opinion, there is no-one it applies to more than the great Eddie Van Halen."
"Eddie was a guitar wonder," said Angus Young, "his playing pure wizardry."
Tributes from Tony Iommi, Vernon Reid, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Geezer Butler, Joe Bonamassa, David Coverdale, Steve Vai, Brian Wilson, Aerosmith, Mike Portnoy and many more are below.
What a Long Great Trip It’s Been.. pic.twitter.com/M5pmkVi7hWOctober 7, 2020
Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family. pic.twitter.com/MQMueMF2XOOctober 6, 2020
A photo posted by @tommorello on Oct 6, 2020 at 12:50pm PDT
pic.twitter.com/jgzUa7LP9bOctober 7, 2020
I’m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Qs8tsLPANJOctober 6, 2020
Just when I thought 2020 couldn't get any worse, I hear Eddie Van Halen has passed. So shocking- One of the nicest, down to Earth men I have ever met and toured with. A true gent and true genius. RIP. So sad.Thoughts go out to his brother Alex, and his family. pic.twitter.com/fwIw040YMXOctober 6, 2020
A photo posted by @metallica on Oct 6, 2020 at 3:40pm PDT
A photo posted by @kirkhammett on Oct 6, 2020 at 2:58pm PDT
No Words.Edward Van HalenRest In Power & Peace 🎸 🖤 🌹October 6, 2020
Feeling deep sadness and overwhelming appreciation. The appreciation and love for him is bigger though. Let’s take a minute and try to imagine our world if he never showed up. It’s unthinkable. Thank you King Edward. You are deeply loved and will be missed. pic.twitter.com/H1mS4sYZIoOctober 6, 2020
Rest In Peace @eddievanhalen You will be missed! #Legend pic.twitter.com/A2dpG41dbSOctober 6, 2020
A photo posted by @hurricanenita on Oct 6, 2020 at 12:41pm PDT
Edward Van Halen was the single reason I ever wanted to play guitar to begin with. He’s the worlds greatest guitar hero, inspiring generations of players to pick up the instrument we love so dearly. Thank you so much for the music and inspiration. We love you forever Eddie. pic.twitter.com/6KzzEpBLBWOctober 6, 2020
A photo posted by @flea333 on Oct 6, 2020 at 12:50pm PDT
A photo posted by @iamstevent on Oct 6, 2020 at 4:16pm PDT
You started it all for me and millions of other guitar players out there. Fuck 2020. Rip king 👑 🎸 pic.twitter.com/TjTCjUcTaWOctober 6, 2020
My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie! ...Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65 from Cancer https://t.co/gITtcndQVvOctober 6, 2020
Legendary guitar and musical innovator Edward Van Halen. 1955-2020. Heaven will be electric tonight. pic.twitter.com/hdLd7atI74October 6, 2020
May you Rest In Peace @eddievanhalen ! You changed my life with your music, your band and your life's journey. Condolences to your family.... #ripeddievanhalen @ Scottsdale, Arizona https://t.co/NSooZOgKjWOctober 6, 2020
A photo posted by @billyduffyofficial on Oct 7, 2020 at 1:46am PDT
My heart literally aches. I will cherish ever moment I got to spend with this musical giant. Sending out thoughts of love and respect to his family. pic.twitter.com/8CgzfHVvLVOctober 6, 2020
I just heard about Eddie Van Halen and I feel terrible about it. Eddie was such a great guitarist and I remember how big Van Halen was, especially here in L.A. Love and Mercy to Eddie’s family & friends. pic.twitter.com/PY8fyrx1LuOctober 6, 2020
Oh man, I just heard about Eddie. Fucking hell. I hope Wolfgang and Alex and the rest of his family are doing OK. The greatest of all time has left the building. RIP EVH.October 6, 2020
Sad to hear Eddie Van Halen has passed away. A guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration. Prayers and thoughts with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/TI4ipeIXbROctober 6, 2020
Can’t believe Eddie Van Halen is gone. He was born to be great! There’s a huge band somewhere in Heaven and I think I know who’s playing lead.October 6, 2020
Crushed. So fucking crushed. RIP Eddie Van Halen. You changed our world. You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe rockstar.October 6, 2020
I am in complete and utter shock over the news of Edward Van Halen’s passing...Very few musicians ever come along that change the entire landscape of their instrument and King Edward was one of those few. One of the G.O.A.T! #RIPEVH #RIPEdwardVanHalen 😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/1uuMLt1cvvOctober 6, 2020
Rest in peace eddy!A true original, I love early van Halen, $teve Jone$
A photo posted by @jonesysjukebox on Oct 6, 2020 at 12:50pm PDT
R.I.P. Edward Van Halen https://t.co/MV9aKaBdloOctober 6, 2020
I’m really sad to hear about the passing of Eddie Van Halen. A brilliant guitarist.October 6, 2020
A photo posted by @john5official on Oct 6, 2020 at 1:23pm PDT
Omg...RIP, Edward...Our Thoughts Are Prayers Are With Your Family, Friends & Fans...What An Incredible Loss...Truly An Astonishing Musician...💔💔💔Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65 from Cancer https://t.co/oA0P9VrnGpOctober 6, 2020
The world lost an icon, innovator, showman, virtuoso, master songwriter and perhaps one of the biggest inspirations ever to learn how to play guitar. Heartbroken to hear of Eddie Van Halen’s passing. Our love, condolences and best wishes to his his family, friends and fans. #RIP pic.twitter.com/pGhPUXRzybOctober 6, 2020
Oh NO! Speechless. A trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music. A good soul. I remember first seeing him playing at the Starwood in 1976 and he WAS Eddie Van Halen. So shocked and sad. My condolences to Wolfie and the family. https://t.co/ExAWzFAEYJOctober 6, 2020
A photo posted by @slash on Oct 6, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT
Guitars are gently weeping everywhere. Shred In Power Eddie Van Halen.🎸💔October 6, 2020
A photo posted by @billyidol on Oct 6, 2020 at 1:04pm PDT
A photo posted by @jackblack on Oct 6, 2020 at 4:28pm PDT
Absolutely heart broken. Goodbye to the best there ever was and ever will be. RIP Eddie Van Halen pic.twitter.com/dZT693yvrOOctober 6, 2020
This is devastating news. RIP Eddie Van Halen.Incredible guitarist. I agree with Frank Zappa who thanked Eddie for "reinventing the electric guitar."I always considered myself a "Pre-Van Halen" guitar player but I respected Ed & eventually caught on to his trip, a little...October 6, 2020
A photo posted by @officialmotorhead on Oct 6, 2020 at 8:32pm PDT
Absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of Eddie Van Halen. He was a guitar legend !! Thank you for all the great music EVH. pic.twitter.com/eBWojZdoQLOctober 6, 2020
Of all the guitarists I got to play with, he was my favorite. RIP Eddie Van HalenOctober 6, 2020
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