Famous rock band guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away on Oct. 6 after a battle with throat cancer. Van Halen was 65.

Van Halen was one of the founders of the well-known rock group, Van Halen, which was prominent during the 1980s and ’90s. The group wrote notable songs including “Jump,” “Panama” and many more. 

Van Halen and his brother, Alex, started performing together in their teens. They formed the group when the two met David Lee Roth who would go on to become the lead singer. Over 40 years, the rock group produced and released more than 12 albums. 

Van Halen was also known for his insane and catchy guitar licks and solos. His son, Wolfgang Van Halen, posted on social media that [Eddie] “was the best father I could ever ask for.”  

Wolfgang would go on to become the bassist for the rock band in 2006. 

Van Halen was a heavy smoker throughout his younger years. According to TMZ, doctors believe that Van Halen developed throat cancer from a metal guitar pick he used to frequently hold in his mouth more than 20 years ago.

“As a drummer I always loved, “Hot for Teacher,” said Shippensburg University junior Drake Myers. “My favorite Van Halen memory has to be from when I was 15 playing tournament baseball. We were able to have walk up songs and I chose to walk up to the ‘Hot for Teacher’ intro since it always got me pumped up.”

Numerous rock groups paid tribute to the great rock guitarist, including Weezer. Their looming new album is called “Van Weezer.” The title refers to the heavy guitar presence on the album. 

“We’re sadden to hear of Eddie Van Halen’s untimely passing today. Given the news today, we want to dedicate our album ‘Van Weezer’ to Eddie as a thank you for all the incredible music that sound tracked our youth and inspired the record. RIP EVH,” Weezer wrote on their social media. 

As a band, Van Halen is known for its intense rock music that makes listeners want to jump in the air and sing the lyrics as loud as they can. The constant loudness of drums and guitars, turned up to the max and the choice of instruments, like a synthesizer on Van Halen’s popular song “Jump,” gives listeners an opportunity to dance. 

“My older brother and his friends were diehards,” SU geography and earth sciences professor Sean Cornell said. “I got my first Walkman and a cassette tape with the best of Van Halen… songs like ‘Jump,’ ‘Why Can’t This Be Love,’ ‘Right Now’ and others.”

After the death of the guitarists, the group had seen an increase in sales. According to billboard.com, Van Halen sold more than 40,000 albums and song copies on Oct. 6, which is 6,198% higher than selling under 1,000 copies on Oct. 5. The most purchased album on Oct. 6 was their self-titled album “Van Halen,” which debuted in 1978.

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