INGLEWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Musician Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs at their dress rehearsal for family and friends at the Forum on February 8, 2012 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2020. The worst year, for so many reasons. And as if it couldn't get any worse, Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.
The news was first reported on social media by his son Wolfie:
Watch this space in the hours to come, as I'm sure the tributes will be rolling in. You can also track the story as it develops here.
Everyone has their Van Halen story, and this one is mine. I wasn't of concert-going age until the '90s, so I missed out on Van Halen's live-hey day. In fact, the first Van Halen song I really remember being into was "Poundcake." What can I say? I'm a Red Rocker guy.
I mean, come on? The power drill? Classic. It wasn't until 2007 that I got to see Van Halen live. And that's when it all clicked in place: the performance was effortless, otherworldly, and a whole bunch of other adjectives that I can't seem to capture right now. There are guitar gods, yes. But Eddie Van Halen was the Guitar God. And there will never be another like him.
