Thursday, October 8, 2020

Alex Van Halen mourns loss of brother Eddie Van Halen

Alex Van Halen is mourning the loss of his brother, Eddie Van Halen, following the rocker’s passing on October 6 after a lengthy cancer battle.

The drummer shared a message via a tweet by the Van Halen News Desk that includes a vintage photo of the pair as young children.

"Hey Ed. Love you,” he shared. “See you on the other side. Your brother, Al.”

Eddie’s son and Van Halen bassist Wolfgang Van Halen broke the news of his father’s passing at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, CA on Tuesday via social media.

The Van Halen family emigrated to the US from Holland in 1962 when the brothers were both under 10 years of age; the pair studied classical piano before their interest in rock led them to new instruments and the formation of several bands before relaunching under the “Van Halen” banner in 1974 with a lineup that included singer David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony.

Years of backyard parties and club shows eventually led to the group securing a record deal in 1977 and releasing their self-titled debut record the following year; the project would go on to reach Diamond status for US sales of more than 10 million copies, a feat they repeated six years later with their “1984” album.

Van Halen have sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, and they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

See also:

Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony salute Eddie Van Halen
David Lee Roth pays tribute to Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen dead at 65
Original Van Halen bassist Mark Stone dies
Search Van Halen at hennemusic