01of 11Eddie Van Halen’s Early YearsEddie Van Halen.Fin Costello/Redferns/GettyEddie Van Halen was born on Jan. 26, 1955, in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In the early 1960s, the future rock legend’s family moved to California, and he started studying music alongside his brother, Alex.
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Eddie Van Halen’s Early Years
Eddie Van Halen.Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty
Eddie Van Halen was born on Jan. 26, 1955, in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In the early 1960s, the future rock legend’s family moved to California, and he started studying music alongside his brother, Alex.
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Van Halen Forms
Van Halen.Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
03of 11Van Halen’s 1984Eddie Van Halen in 1978.Fin Costello/RedfernsThe band released album after album, including the majorly popular1984, which contained some of the band’s most recognizable hits like “Panama,” “Hot For Teacher” and “Jump.“Here’s a fun fact about Eddie: He also recorded the famous guitar solo in Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
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Van Halen’s 1984
Eddie Van Halen in 1978.Fin Costello/Redferns
The band released album after album, including the majorly popular1984, which contained some of the band’s most recognizable hits like “Panama,” “Hot For Teacher” and “Jump.”
Here’s a fun fact about Eddie: He also recorded the famous guitar solo in Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
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Van Halen’s Ups and Downs
Eddie Van Halen.Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty
05of 11Eddie Van Halen Marries Valerie BertinelliRon Galella/WireImageIn 1981, Eddie wedOne Day at a Timeactress Valerie Bertinelli, and the pair would be married for nearly two decades before announcing in July 2002 that they were separating. Their divorce was finalized in 2007.
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Eddie Van Halen Marries Valerie Bertinelli
Ron Galella/WireImage
In 1981, Eddie wedOne Day at a Timeactress Valerie Bertinelli, and the pair would be married for nearly two decades before announcing in July 2002 that they were separating. Their divorce was finalized in 2007.
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Wolfgang Van Halen Arrives
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Van Halen’s Accolades
Jeff Kravitz/Filmmagic
08of 11Van Halen’s ComebackINFIn August 2007, the band (including Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, who became the band’s bassist in 2006) announced that Van Halen would be heading out for another North American tour. That same year, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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Van Halen’s Comeback
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In August 2007, the band (including Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, who became the band’s bassist in 2006) announced that Van Halen would be heading out for another North American tour. That same year, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
09of 11Eddie Van Halen Marries Janie LiszewskiMichael Bezjian/WireImageIn 2009, Eddie married his girlfriend of three years, Janie Liszewski.
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Eddie Van Halen Marries Janie Liszewski
Michael Bezjian/WireImage
In 2009, Eddie married his girlfriend of three years, Janie Liszewski.
10of 11Eddie Van Halen’s Cancer DiagnosisDaniel Knighton/GettyIn 2000, the rocker was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and was declared cancer-free in 2002. He’d later spend years in treatment for throat cancer before itmetastasized elsewhere in his body, a source told PEOPLE.
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Eddie Van Halen’s Cancer Diagnosis
Daniel Knighton/Getty
In 2000, the rocker was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and was declared cancer-free in 2002. He’d later spend years in treatment for throat cancer before itmetastasized elsewhere in his body, a source told PEOPLE.
11of 11Eddie Van Halen DiesOn Oct. 6, 2020, Wolfgang revealed that his father had diedin an emotional Instagram caption. He wrote, “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 was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift,” he continued.He concluded, “My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.”
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Eddie Van Halen Dies
On Oct. 6, 2020, Wolfgang revealed that his father had diedin an emotional Instagram caption. He wrote, “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 was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift,” he continued.
He concluded, “My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.”
source: people.com
