The rock’n roll world is in mourning today after the legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65. Now, tragic details about his final days are coming to light, as sources close to him are saying that he was in a great deal of pain before his death.
A source close to Van Halen told People Magazine that his family went above and beyond to protect him amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the quarantine, everyone around Eddie was even more cautious about his health and his family truly protected him,” the source explained. “He had throat cancer for years but it spread — it was in all his organs.”
“The last three days it was a rapid decline,” the source added. “Sadly, the hard-partying lifestyle physically takes its toll on you eventually.”
Another insider said that though “everybody knew that he had cancer,” many close to the guitarist did not know just how bad it had gotten.
“He’s had it for years but nobody knew it was this serious,” this source said.
Van Halen’s death has hit his 29 year-old son Wolfgang especially hard, given the fact that the father and son were “so tight,” the insider added.
“He and Wolfie were incredibly close,” the source said. “It’s a huge loss to his son in particular because they were so tight.”
It was Wolfgang who confirmed his father’s death in a heartbreaking social media post.
“I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning,” he wrote. “He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.
Wolfgang and his mother, actress Valerie Bertinelli, were each present when Van Halen died. The rocker’s second wife, Janie Liszewski, was at the hospital as well when he passed.
Prior to his fight against throat cancer, Van Halen had battled tongue cancer in 2000, beating it two years later. He will be dearly missed by millions of fans all over the world who will never forget the joy he brought to them.
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