The rock icon, who co-founded multi-million selling rock band Van Halen, has died at the age of 65

Eddie Van Halen has died at the age of 65.

The legendary guitarist and founder of Van Halen had battled throat cancer for ten years.

Eddie enjoyed enormous success in the 1980s with his multi-selling rock group and collaborated with a number of artists – including playing the iconic guitar solo on Michael Jackson’s Beat It.

His health is said to deteriorated rapidly over the last 72 hours with doctors discovering his cancer had spread to other organs including his brain, reports TMZ.

Eddie’s wife Janie was by his side in his final moments, along with his son Wolfgang and brother and drummer in his band Alex – as rock star died at St Johns Hospital in Santa Monica on Tuesday.

His devastated son broke the tragic news to fans on Twitter this evening.