To say the entire rock world is shocked with the sudden, but not unexpected loss of guitar god Eddie Van Halen is an understatement. Not only would rock and metal never be the same, but music in general without the Van Halen guitarist. The dude was insanely innovative, seriously look up all the advancements he was a part of. Sadly, throat cancer took his life at the young age of 65.
The rock world was quick to react, from all parts of rock and metal and beyond. Here are a bunch of tributes we've gathered.
What a Long Great Trip It’s Been.. pic.twitter.com/M5pmkVi7hW— David Lee Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) October 7, 2020 Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family. pic.twitter.com/MQMueMF2XO— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) October 6, 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/Qs8tsLPANJ— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) October 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/gITtcndQVv— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 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/ExAWzFAEYJ— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 6, 2020 The word “innovator” gets thrown around a lot in this industry. 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/fwIw040YMX— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) October 6, 2020 pic.twitter.com/Gff5BVoAco— Richie Faulkner (@RichieFaulkner) October 6, 2020 RIP @eddievanhalen pic.twitter.com/zWcqlJ5bUU— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) October 6, 2020 Hearing reports that Eddie Van Halen has left us?— Charlie Benante (@skisum) October 6, 2020 Goodbye hero of heroes pic.twitter.com/esVHo7Ie3m— Brendon Small (@_Brendonsmall) October 6, 2020 RIP Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen were a tremendous influence on both Vinnie & Dime & Pantera. Hopefully they are all rocking out together now! pic.twitter.com/XtnL33aGsd— Pantera (@Pantera) October 6, 2020 The most important guitarists to rock/metal, to me it’s Hendrix, EVH & Dime. Van Halen 1 changed my life. He made guitar a magical thing for generations. I wouldn’t be here w/o him. I’ve been playing his @evhgear amps for 20 years. We are all poorer today. #RIPEVH #FUCK2020 pic.twitter.com/ELEk8Ha4xh— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) October 6, 2020 No Words. One of the undisputed GOATS So so sad to hear about the passing of Eddie Van Halen. Truly one of the best ever.— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) October 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.— Scott Ian (@Scott_Ian) October 6, 2020 Welp guess the rest of the day will be spent crying & listening to Van Halen. #RipEVH— Jamey Jasta (@jameyjasta) October 6, 2020 Rest In Peace to one of the truly greatest musicians of all time. My first guitar hero – the guitarist I grew up listening to in car rides with my family – a man I excitedly share the same birth date and month with: Mr. Eddie Van Halen. pic.twitter.com/cS3ovRrcnj— Matthew kiichichaos Heafy (@matthewkheafy) October 6, 2020 Guitar God #RIP pic.twitter.com/ifdR2qJFsu— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) October 6, 2020 Go easy, Ed.— Wes Hauch (@WesHauch) October 6, 2020 I’m really at a loss for words, but my condolences go out to the Van Halen family.. Eddie Van Halen RIP ?— Trevor Strnad (@TrevorTBDM) 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/1uuMLt1cvv— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) October 6, 2020 I am devastated to learn about the passing of one of my biggest influences. A true legend, friend and innovator of guitar, tone and style. I will always cherish the times I get to spend with Ed. Wow….just wow. #F2020 #RIPEVH pic.twitter.com/BUFgQmqpL4— ΛSHBΛ (@DjASHBA) October 6, 2020 well this sucks… undoubtedly a huge influence on all of us rockers everywhere. rest in power, king https://t.co/vd7WwybRqL— Exhumed (@ExhumedOfficial) October 6, 2020 There are no words. RIP Eddie. True innovator. Thoughts go out to your family and friends #5150 pic.twitter.com/LIUPkoSz4A— OVERKILL (@OverkillBand) October 6, 2020 NOT EDDIE— EARLY GRAVES (@earlygraves) October 6, 2020 The Guitar World just lost its Michael Jordan. The best that ever did it. No one will come close. Ever. RIP Eddie.— Emil Werstler (@EmilWerstler) October 6, 2020 ?? Godspeed Eddie Van Halen – you'll continue to inspire forever! pic.twitter.com/wdqy0kyteX— Roadburn Festival (@roadburnfest) October 6, 2020 Oh my goodness that's horrible news. https://t.co/DqV4h4OcFL— David Lee Broth (@chimairamark) October 6, 2020 Rest in Power, EVH. Thank you for your music and your influence. You changed the game for rock and heavy metal and most of us wouldn't be doing what we do without you. pic.twitter.com/wQqbxeJ1pD— Season of Mist (@SeasonofMist) October 6, 2020 I am devastated by the news that Eddie Van Halen has died. Rest easy EVH. ??— Matt (@MattPeriphery) October 6, 2020 The greatest has left us. RIP EVH. https://t.co/L2sXL5qaTP— PhilThatRemains on youtube, IG, Twitch #BLM ?️? (@philthatremains) October 6, 2020 Damn. What a loss.https://t.co/ZpLzuRNWjt— Todd La Torre (@ToddLaTorre) October 6, 2020 RIP Eddie Van Halen pic.twitter.com/K2Lq9SouFQ— rage against the machine (@RATM) October 6, 2020 RIP EVH ? https://t.co/jjno7G7dCE— Metalcore Gatsby (@FRONZ1LLA) October 6, 2020 We tried to get him to do something – anything – in Face the Music, but they said he was unavailable and wouldn’t tell us why. Sadly, I think I know now.— Ed Solomon (@ed_solomon) October 6, 2020 ? ugh https://t.co/tgQS3Rvohd— Alex Winter ? (@Winter) October 6, 2020 HE LOVED THE WRESTLING. EDDIE VAN HALEN IT BREAK MY HEART YOU HAVE SO MUCH TALENT AND YOU HELP TO MAKE THE ROCK AND ROLL I MISS YOU FOREVER #RIPEDDYVANHALEN pic.twitter.com/1jJHGtGtHc— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) October 6, 2020 Eddie Van Halen has died. Many more eloquent than me will discuss his musical achievements, so I'll just note that he was owner and inventor of the patent with the baddest-ass diagram in the history of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office https://t.co/R1ueaXNEsw pic.twitter.com/svLbBs3qK8— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 6, 2020 You started it all for me and millions of other guitar players out there. Fuck 2020. Rip king ? ? pic.twitter.com/TjTCjUcTaW— Jared Dines (@JaredDines) October 6, 2020
In my humble opinion, there is no one it applies to more than the great @eddievanhalen.
Thank you for being THE innovator of these six strings and blazing a trail for so many of us to attempt to follow. ? RIP pic.twitter.com/5xG2Ywimk6— Nita Strauss (@hurricanenita) October 6, 2020
Edward Van Halen
Rest In Power & Peace
? ? ?— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) October 6, 2020
Completely altered the direction of the Complete Culture of Guitar As We Know It
A True Hero
?— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) October 6, 2020
May the King of Gtr RIP. https://t.co/KIfo3MpDtI— REX BROWN (@REJASFROMTEJAS) October 6, 2020
I am absolutely devastated. I am on twitter to cope right now.— Danko Jones (@dankojones) October 6, 2020
