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Son Wolfgang Val Halen announced on social media that Eddie Van Halen has died at age 65 following a years-long battle with throat cancer. In recent days the cancer spread rapidly into his brain and other organs. The Dutch-born Val Halen ranks eighth amongst Rolling Stone's 2015 list of the 100 greatest guitarists. The band Van Halen dominated 1980s music with front men David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. Between 1986 and 1995 the band produced four consecutive No. 1 albums. Heavy smoking likely led to Val Halen's initial cancer diagnosis in 2000. In 2007 Van Halen produced a successful comeback with the return of Roth along with son Wolfgang on bass.
Condolences poured in Tuesday, the list including Lenny Kravitz, Billy Idol, Gene Simmons and Papa Roach.
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