Eddie Van Halen has died aged 65

Eddie Van Halen, co-founder of rock group Van Halen has died after a long battle with cancer.

The Dutch-American artist was 65. He had been battling throat cancer for a decade.

He died at a Santa Monica hospital with his wife Janie, son Wolfgang and brother Alex by his side, TMZ reported.

Eddie started Van Halen with his brother Alex in the 1970s.

The band's debut album in 1978 launched the group into rock superstardom in the 80s.

From 1979 to 1982, the band released four albums and all of them were certified multi-platinum.

By the early 1980s, Van Halen was one of the most successful rock acts of the time.

Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, joined the band in 2006.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission