The rocker died at 65 after a lengthy battle with cancer, which he was first diagnosed with in 2000.
“Heartbroken and speechless,” shared Hagar on social media the day of his passing. “My love to the family.”
“No words...Heartbroken,” posted Anthony. “My love to the family.”
Anthony became a member of Van Halen in 1974 and was in the lineup for all of the band’s albums before being unceremoniously replaced by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, in 2007.
Hagar joined the group in 1985 following the departure of David Lee Roth; he was on board for all four of the band’s US No. 1 records before either quitting or being fired in 1996, based on conflicting stories by both himself and the guitarist; the singer returned for an ill-fated 2004 reunion tour in support of a greatest hits set.
The duo have been a team since both of their exits from Van Halen, and are current members of Sammy Hagar And The Circle alongside guitarist Vic Johnson and drummer Jason Bonham; the lineup regularly plays a selection of tracks by Led Zeppelin, Montrose, Van Halen and Hagar.
This week, the band is pre-recording a live performance for a virtual edition of Hagar’s annual Birthday Bash concert, which will stream via pay-per-view on October 17 via Nugs.tv, and they recorded a video to salute their fallen former bandmate.
“I just wanna say I’m kinda devastated,” began Hagar.
“It’s very surreal right now, and it hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Anthony.
“It hit like a Mack truck,” added Sammy about hearing the news. “Took the wind out of the sails.”
“We have the music,” concluded Anthony. “The music will live forever,” with the pair adding “We love you, Eddie.”
Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family. pic.twitter.com/MQMueMF2XO
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) October 6, 2020
See also:
David Lee Roth pays tribute to Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen dead at 65
Original Van Halen bassist Mark Stone dies
Sammy Hagar performs Van Halen classic in new Lockdown Sessions video
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
