Rock legend Eddie Van Halen, guitarist and main songwriter for the rock band Van Halen, has died aged 65 after a long battle with cancer.
His son, Wolf Van Halen, confirmed the news with a statement on Twitter.
"He was the best father I could ever ask for," he wrote.
"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 the loss."
Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1955, Van Halen's family emigrated to the United States in 1962.
He formed Van Halen with his brother Alex in 1972 and went on to enjoy huge success.
Van Halen recorded 12 studio albums across five decades, selling tens of millions of copies, with hit singles like Unchained and Jump.
Van Halen is among the top 20 best-selling artists of all time and the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Rolling Stone magazine put Eddie Van Halen at eighth in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.
More to come.
ABC/AP
