According to Billboard, U.S. sales of VAN HALEN's catalog of albums and songs increased more than 6,000% on the day of guitarist Eddie Van Halen's death. The albums and songs sold 40,000 copies on October 6, with 9,000 of those being just album sales, including 2,000 copies of VAN HALEN's self-titled 1978 debut. The top 10 biggest-selling songs on October 6 were: "Jump" (3,000), "Panama" (2,000), "Eruption" (2,000), "Runnin' With The Devil" (2,000), "You Really Got Me" (2,000), "Dance The Night Away" (1,000), "Why Can't This Be Love" (1,000), "Hot For Teacher" (1,000), "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" (1,000) and "Jamie's Cryin'" (1,000). Eddie died at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. His wife, Janie, was by his side, along with his son, Wolfgang, and Alex, Eddie's brother and VAN HALEN drummer. The iconic VAN HALEN axeman died from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed. Eddie and Alex formed VAN HALEN in 1972 in Pasadena, California, with David Lee Roth on lead vocals and Michael Anthony on bass. VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists. After undergoing hip replacement surgery in 1999 due to a chronic joint problem, Eddie was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000 and had to have part of his tongue surgically removed. He later battled throat cancer and reportedly had been receiving radiation treatment in Germany. It is believed that his heavy smoking over the years led to his long battle with cancer.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
