The iconic guitarist died last October at the age of 65 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
On the day he turned 68, Alex shared a tribute to Eddie via the Van Halen News Desk, writing: "First birthday without you, Ed. The view from my drum set will never be the same. VH forever!"
The rocker last surfaced online with a message through the same media outlet in the days following Eddie’s passing: “Hey Ed. Love you. 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 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 saw the group secure a record deal in 1977 and release 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.
“First birthday without you, Ed. The view from my drum set will never be the same. VH forever!”
— Van Halen News Desk (@VanHalenNews) May 8, 2021
- Alex Van Halen, May 8th, 2021#VanHalenForever #AlexVanHalen #EddieVanHalen #VanHalenBrothers #TheMightyVanHalen #VanHalen #EVHForever #EVHRIP pic.twitter.com/DLQxh9tjOz
See also:
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson performs Eddie Van Halen tribute
Wolfgang Van Halen streams Mammoth WVH track Feel
Pasadena moving forward with Eddie Van Halen hometown tribute
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson pays musical tribute to Eddie Van Halen
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
