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Valerie Bertinelli, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, others post tributes to Eddie Van Halen | TribLIVE.com
Music

Valerie Bertinelli, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, others post tributes to Eddie Van Halen

Frank Carnevale
Frank Carnevale
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David Lee Roth, left, and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform in Wantagh, N.Y. on Aug. 13, 2015. Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.
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David Lee Roth and Eddie Valen of the band Van Halen excite the crowd with “Running With the Devil” as the band performs at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Friday March 30, 2012.
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The rock group Van Halen, clockwise from left: Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar appear in a 1988 photo. Eddie Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.
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Van Halen is seen in Los Angeles, Jan. 17, 1993. Members of Van Halen, from left, left, Michael Anthony, bass guitar, Sammy Hagar, lead singer, Alex Van Halen, drums, and Eddie Van Halen, lead guitar appear in Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 1993. Eddie Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.
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Valerie Bertinelli, left, arrives at the premiere of the film “America’s Sweethearts” with husband Eddie Van Halen in Los Angeles on July 17, 2001. Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.
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Eddie Van Halen, left, embraces his son Wolfgang Van Halen after the rock group Van Halen officially announced their North American tour during a news conference in Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2007. Eddie Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.
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This July 14, 1984 file photo shows Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen, left, performing “Beat It” with Michael Jackson during Jackson’s Victory Tour concert in Irving, Texas. Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.

Rock legend Eddie Van Halen died Tuesday at the age of 65 after a long fight with throat cancer.

Eddie, along with his brother Alex on drums, Michael Anthony on bass and singer David Lee Roth started Van Halen the band in Pasadena, Calif., in 1974.

Eddie’s unique style and innovation on the guitar quickly made him an idol to many fans and someone to emulate for other musicians.

With the news of his death, family and fellow musicians took social media to post condolences and memories of Eddie.

“He was the best father I could ask for,” Van Halen’s son Wolfgang wrote in a social media post. “Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.”

Eddie first wife, Valerie Bertinelli, shared a photo of the couple with then-baby son Wolfgang, with the message, “40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you … I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life my love.”

Roth shared a photo of himself and Van Halen on Instagram with the short message, “What a Long Great Trip It’s Been..”

View this post on Instagram

What a Long Great Trip It’s Been..

A post shared by David Lee Roth (@davidleeroth) on

Sammy Hagar, who joined the band in 1985 after Van Halen split with Roth, posted a photo with Eddie and the message, “Heartbroken and speechless.”

Anthony posted, “No words…Heartbroken.”

View this post on Instagram

No words...Heartbroken, my love to the family?

A post shared by Michael Anthony (@mad_anthony_bassman) on

Musicians and rock stars also posted tributes.

Ozzy Osbourne posted, “Eddie was one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and we shared so many laughs together … Eddie, I’ll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy.”

Black Sabbath guitarist Tommy Iommi shared, “Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again.”

The band Black Sabbath shared a photo of the two bands together.

Metallica also posted a photo of the bands together.

Paul Stanley of Kiss posted that Eddie was “a trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music. A good soul.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea posted, “I hope you jam with Jimi [Hendrix] tonight. … Broken through to the other side.”

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello called Eddie “One of the greatest, most inventive, truly visionary musicians of all time.”

Lenny Kravitz wrote that “Heaven will be electric tonight.”

Producer Quincy Jones remembered getting Eddie to play on Micheal Jackson’s song “Beat It.”

Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee also shared condolences on social media.

Frank Carnevale is the TribLive multimedia editor. He started at the Trib in 2016 and has been part of several news organizations, including the Providence Journal and Orlando Sentinel. He can be reached at fcarnevale@triblive.com.

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