Eddie Van Halen dead at 65

Rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Eddie Van Halen, co-founder of the eponymous band Van Halen, is dead at 65.

Van Halen died after a decadelong battle with throat cancer at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica Tuesday with his wife, Janie, son, Wolfgang, and brother, Alex, at his side, reports TMZ.

Van Halen formed the band in 1972 with his brother, Alex, on drums and David Lee Roth as lead singer. Sammy Hagar joined the band in 1985 on lead vocals after Roth left.

Considered by many to be one of the best rock guitarists in the business, Eddie Van Halen’s guitar was the basis for the band’s many hits, among them “Runnin’ with the Devil,” “Unchained,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Panama” and “Jump.”

Van Halen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on stage and off stage was a gift,” his son, Wolf, wrote on social media Tuesday. “My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss.”

“I love you so much, Pop,”