Eddie Van Halen, the guitar virtuoso whose blinding speed, control and innovation propelled his band Van Halen into one of hard rock,s biggest groups, fueled the unmistakable fiery solo in Michael Jackson,s hit "Beat It" and became elevated to the status of rock god, has died. He was 65.
A person close to Van Halen,s family confirmed the rocker died Tuesday due to cancer. The person was not authorized to publicly release details in advance of an official announcement.