Eddie Van Hallen: Reverend guitarist dies at age 65 of cancer

His son Eddie Van Hallen, guitarist and co-founder of popular rock band Van Hallen, has announced he has cancer.

The 65-year-old Dutch-American musician was undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

His band, Van Halen, is best known for their song Jump, which topped the US charts in 1984.

His son, Wolfgang, praised him on social media, saying he was the best father he could ever ask for.

His son wrote, “My heart is broken and I don’t think I will fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Bob.”

Celebrity news site TMZ, which first reported his death news, said Van Halen died at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California on Tuesday surrounded by his family.

TMZ citing sources reported that the guitarist was in and out of hospital last year and recently underwent a round of chemotherapy.

He had been living with the disease for years after receiving treatment for tongue cancer in 2000.

TMZ said, throughout his treatment, Van Halen continued to attend concerts and do music with his son.

Van Hallen formed Van Hallen in the early 1970s in Los Angeles, with his brother Alex as a drummer, David Lee Roth as a singer and Michael Anthony on the bass.

The band released their debut album under their name in 1978. The album ranked 19 on the Billboard charts, becoming one of the most successful albums of the decade.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, Van Halen has received much plaudits for his signature guitar parts in several of the band’s songs.

Some of the biggest names in rock music have expressed their respect on social media.

Kiss Leader Gene Simmons tweeted: “My heart is broken. Eddie wasn’t just a guitar god, but he is a really beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie!… Eddie Van Halen is 65 years old with cancer.”

On Twitter, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea wrote that Van Halen had a “beautiful and creative heart”.