The music world lost a legend today… perhaps the most influential guitarist in history. Eddie Van Halen succumbed to cancer today at the age of 65.

Rumors have swirled for years about the condition of Van Halen’s health, somewhat based on past surgeries (including tongue cancer). However the guitarist was fairly active on Instagram, even attending a Tool show last year with his son Wolfgang, who has been the bassist for Van Halen since 2006. The outing became famous due to a Tool fan asking Eddie Van Halen to take a photo of him in front of the Tool stage, completely oblivious to who he had just asked to take his photo.

Eddie Van Halen spent the final months and years close to family, and his passing was announced today by his son on Twitter: