Gone Too Soon
- Late legend Eddie Van Halen would have turned 66 on January 26, but as many know, the music icon lost his battle with cancer in October.
- Fellow musicians, fans, and family members paid tribute to the legendary guitarist, sharing photos, videos, and kind words on Instagram for their hero on his birthday.
- It’s important to know warning signs for throat cancer and if you are a past or present smoker, getting early screenings for lung cancer could save your life.
Tributes to a Father, Husband, and Rock Hero
Here are 5 of our top tributes to the charismatic musical talent.1. Wolfgang Van Halen
Eddie’s son Wolfgang, a multi-instrumentalist and singer who goes by “Wolf,” shared a sweet childhood video yesterday on Instagram of he and his pops playing outside with a Dalmatian, his father affectionately placing his oversized tee over his son as they frolicked around together. “Happy 66th Birthday, Pop,” he shared. “I wish I could give you the biggest hug and celebrate it with you. I love and miss you so much it hurts. I don't even know how to put it into words.”
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2. Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx, bassist for Motley Crue, shared an unreleased video tribute by his buddies John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, and Michael Anthony, former Van Halen bassist. Many of the greatest musicians today would not have been inspired to play without Eddie Van Halen.
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3. Slash
Slash, guitarist for Guns ‘N’ Roses, shared a black-and-white tribute pic and referred to his pal as “maybe the best guitarist of all time” … it takes one to know one!
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4. Janie Liszewski Van Halen
Janie Liszewski Van Halen, Eddie’s wife whom he married in 2009, posted a tender pic of the two of them, showcasing her husband’s huge smile and loveably squinty eyes. The longtime publicist kept her caption simple. “Happy Heavenly Birthday my Peep. We love you and miss you so much.”
Related: The Toughest Conversations: Losing a Spouse to Cancer
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5. Guitar Center
Perhaps the most epic tribute was the incredible mural unveiled today by Guitar Center in Hollywood, California. Local L.A. artist Robert Vargas painted the vibrant piece outside on the entire back wall of the iconic Sunset Strip building, with Eddie wailing on guitar, just how he’d want to be remembered.
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Throat Cancer & HPV
Although there is not typically a surefire way to pinpoint exactly how or why we get certain types of cancer, it is important to stay educated. Throat cancer can be caused by alcohol and tobacco use, and also by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which is usually associated with women and can be a cause of cervical cancer. However, men can also be affected by this sexually transmitted infection, and it has been proven to cause throat cancer.
Dr. Jessica Geiger of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Centertold SurvivorNet in a previous interview that both men and women can get cancer from HPV. “The strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer are the same strains of HPV that cause throat cancer. The average patient with HPV-related throat cancer tends to be males in their 40s or 50s, who were never a smoker, or just a very light tobacco user.”
Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men Too
Screening for Lung Cancer
Dr. Patrick Forde, Director of Thoracic Oncology Research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore told SurvivorNet in a previous interview why it’s important for past and present smokers to get screened early for lung cancer. “Over the last few years, there’s been a number of studies looking at using low dose CT scans of the chest in patients who have a history of smoking to try and pick up lung cancers in earlier stage,” he explained. “About 70% to 80% of patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer, unfortunately, the cancer has spread outside of the lung and is not suitable for surgery.” So, in other words, if you’re a smoker, go get checked.
Former & Current Heavy Smokers Should Get Lung Cancer Screenings Using CT Scan, Says Leading Expert
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