Eddie Van Halen is dead at age 65 and the music world is shattered

News that Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65 is shocking the music world. Reuters reporting Van Halen died of cancer.

Eddie Van Halen, one of rock music's greatest guitar players and a founding member of the hard-rocking, top-selling band named after him and his drummer brother, has died of cancer https://t.co/BbjTWqJT0E pic.twitter.com/ydd9YTmTL9

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 6, 2020

His 29-year-old son, Wolfgang Van Halen, delivered the sad news on Twitter, saying “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,” adding, “Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.”

pic.twitter.com/kQqDV7pulR

— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020

The news exploded on Twitter.

Gibson tweeted, “To hell with the rules. If it sounds right, then it is.” Rest in Peace to the original rule breaker, Eddie Van Halen. You will be missed, but your music and influence will live forever.

“To hell with the rules. If it sounds right, then it is.” Rest in Peace to the original rule breaker, Eddie Van Halen. You will be missed, but your music and influence will live forever. pic.twitter.com/BGrVE9jW1A

— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) October 6, 2020

Pete Townsend wrote, “I was hoping he might be President one day,” according to a post by Rolling Stone:

"I was hoping he might be President one day." Pete Townshend honors Eddie Van Halen, who died on Tuesday after a long battle from cancer https://t.co/8Awcqp3Xck pic.twitter.com/WxC3Q81Lm8

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) October 6, 2020

Variety reported that Sammy Hagar, Lenny Kravitz and More Mourn Eddie Van Halen, the ‘Mozart of Rock Guitar’