Alex Van Halen posts childhood photo and poignant tribute to Eddie Van Halen
The legendary guitarist sadly lost his battle with cancer
Alex Van Halen has paid tribute to his late brother and band mate Eddie Van Halen by posting a highly poignant message alongside a childhood photo.
Eddie Van Halen sadly lost his lengthy battle with cancer on Tuesday morning (6th October) leaving the music world in mourning.
Commenting publicly on his younger sibling’s death for the first time, Van Halen drummer and co-founder Alex Van Halen simply wrote today, 'Hey Ed. Love you. See you on the other side. Your brother, Al.'
Alongside the message is a photo of Alex and Eddie Van Halen when they were young boys and still living in the Netherlands.
Alex and Eddie Van Halen were born in 1953 and 1955 respectively in Amsterdam and moved to Pasadena, California in 1962 with their parents Jan and Eugenia.
The brothers formed a band they dubbed Genesis in 1972, and, following several name changes, they eventually switched to the eponymous Van Halen in 1974.
Together they released 12 studio albums as Van Halen between 1978 and 2012 and sold more than 80 million records worldwide, including 56 million in his native US.
Eddie Van Halen - the legend in photos:
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in 1978
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and Alex Van Halen in 1978
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen striking a pose at the Kouseinennkinn-kaikan, Tokyo, June 1978
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen performs onstage at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 1979.
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen doing a trademark jump on stage in 1980
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Michael Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen in 1981
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen on stage in 1982
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in his live element in 1984.
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in the mid-1980s
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar in 1986
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in 1991
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen during Van Halen III Live in Chicago at Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, 1998
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in 2012
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen with his son Wolfgang Van Halen in 2012
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth in 2015
Alongside fellow Van Halen band members Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Eddie Van Halen’s son and band mate, Wolfgang, first broke the news of his dad’s death on Tuesday evening, writing, '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.'
Eddie’s friend and former band mate Sammy Hagar said soon afterwards, 'Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family.'
Van Halen vocalist David Lee Roth shared a photo of himself with Eddie Van Halen, and simply wrote, 'What a Long Great Trip It’s Been..'
Eddie'e wife Janie Liszewski paid tribute to her late husband today, in the form of an emotional open letter which she's posted on Instagram.
Sharing a photo of herself and Eddie looking into the horizon, Janie told her followers, 'My husband, my love, my Peep.
'My heart and soul have been shattered into a million pieces. I never knew it was possible to cry so many tears or feel such incredible sadness. Our journey together has not always been an easy one but in the end and always we have a connection and love that will always be. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I have ever had to do so instead I say so long, I will see you again soon in a place with no pain or sorrow. Please watch over Kody and I. We love you and miss you so very much.'
Our thoughts are with Eddie's friends and family at this time.