David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and Gary Cherone Pay Tribute to Eddie Van Halen

The music world was shocked yesterday (October 6) by the passing of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 65.

Prominent members of the metal and rock community have been paying homage to the Van Halen namesake since the news broke… but now the voices fans are most eager to hear have weighed in: those of Van Halen’s former bandmates David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and Gary Cherone.

Roth, who had a famously contentious relationship with both Eddie and Alex Van Halen, tweeted out a backstage photo of himself and the guitarist with the caption “What a Long Great Trip It’s Been..”.

Michael Anthony, meanwhile, shared a series of vintage performance pics of himself and EVH along with the message “No words…Heartbroken, my love to the family.” Anthony, an original member of Van Halen, was replaced by Eddie’s song, Wolfgang, in 2006. Rumors that he would reunite with the band were circulating as recently as last year.

Extreme frontman Gary Cherone only made one album with Van Halen: 1998’s famously ill-received Van Halen III. Writing on social media of Eddie’s death, Cherone said:

“Whether you were blessed to have known him or not, He was a kind and gentle soul… His impact on ALL our lives was immeasurable! His music, eternal! My deepest sympathies to the Van Halen family… Love you Ed #LongLiveTheKing!”

Sammy Hagar, Van Halen’s other former singer, weighed in yesterday, stating that he was left “Heartbroken and speechless” by the news.

You can read more tributes to Eddie here.