https://www.independent.co.uk/...-cancer-b842192.html

I remember taping Jump and Panama off the Friday Rock Show as a kid. (I didn't buy any of their albums until years later when I was in University). The man was a legend.
This message was last updated by the user at 10:17, Wed 07 Oct 2020.

Another one gone to soon.

I live in Kentucky, originally from Louisville, which us where they began their 2012 tour at the KFC Yumm Center.  My wife and I got pre-order tickets, which put us in the nosebleeds; I thought we should have had ropes and a guide going up those steep steps.  There was a bar of lights blocking part of our view of the screen behind the stage, so it was kind if hard to watch the show despite a truly clear view if the stage miles below us.
So many people in their forties and fifties showed up dressed like they did in the 80's; ripped jeans, big hair (thank you steep seating for keeping the view clear of Peggy Bundy and Marge Simpson hairstyles).  The opening act was Kool and the Gang, and most of us (about 75%, I guess) knew the lyrics to their songs and we were singing along.  The David Lee Roth came on stage with Eddie and Alex, the entire audience was singing along.  It was a great show, and we all had a good time, despite the retro-fashion choices of some of us old farts.  70's Funk and 80's Hair made for a great combination.  And all despite the nosebleed seating.

The local classic rock station has been playing about 80% Van Halen since the news broke.  He changed the way a lot of people play guitar...and had a reach far beyond just Van Halen.  Sad day for us...

https://youtu.be/sI7XiJgt0vY

Too soon for sure. I can still remember rocking out to Jump as a kid. I would literally jump off the couch with Eddie in the video.

Loss of a classic. Countless hours listening to 1984...

For those of us who grew up in the 80s, without Eddie Van Halen, there would be no Bill & Ted, as he was the inspiration: https://bleedingcool.com/movie...spiration-for-films/

Bill: Ted, while I agree that, in time, our band will be most triumphant. The truth is, Wyld Stallyns will never be a super band until we have Eddie Van Halen on guitar.
Ted: Yes, Bill. But, I do not believe we will get Eddie Van Halen until we have a triumphant video.
Bill: Ted, it’s pointless to have a triumphant video before we even have decent instruments.
Ted: Well, how can we have decent instruments when we don’t really even know how to play?
Bill: That is why we need Eddie Van Halen!
Ted: And THAT is why we need a triumphant video!
Both: EXCELLENT! (Air guitars)

Ah Bill and Ted! Loved those films. Haven't seen Face The Music Yet but really looking forward to doing so.

A great loss indeed :(

He also provided the guitars in Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'. I think the guy was a huge influence on rock music. Right up there with Stevie Vai and Joe Satriani.

So sad as the world has lost another great music artist!  But his music will live forever!

In reply to Starchaser (msg # 10):

Don't forget Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.

It's a worthy entry in the franchise. Watched it twice with my kids. They wanted to get Eddie Van Halen for a big scene but his people said he was unavailable. We now know it was because of the cancer.

They tried to get him to make an appearance in each of the Bill & Ted movies.  Apparently, he and The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar, had been reconciling through texts up until a month ago when he stoped responding; they kept a secret to prevent rumors of a tour and to keep Eddie's illness a secret.  Sammy said when he didn't respond any more, he figured it was getting bad.  At least, that's what he told Howard Stern in an e-mail.  Sounds like Eddie might have been trying to set things right before he passed.