Eddie Van Halen has been one of the most influential guitarists ever since Van Halen released their iconic self-titled debut album in 1978.

News of his death at the age of 65 spread quickly as did countless tributes to the late guitar god. Here is just a selection of guitarists and other rockers paying their respects to EVH.

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RIP #EddieVanHalen

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Simply put, one of the most important and influential guitarists to ever live. He embodied the idea of a progressive and exciting musician - not only on recordings but especially as a live performer. The electric guitar just doesn't get too much more exciting and fun than Ed. When I was a kid...probably about 7 years old...I swiped the VH 1 cassette from my aunties collection. I was just really discovering my own music at this age - so it was a magical and exciting time of discovery for me. Anyway, I heard her playing this tape with friends as they partied at our house..and couldn't help myself - I had to give it a few more (thousand) listens. I didn't even know what the actual cover looked like for years as I just found an old Air Supply cassette - chucked the tape and used the box, fashioning and drawing my own cover (which was an attempt at a pointy guitar much like Ed's first Explorer style guitar). Listening to this album and hearing EVH effortlessly burn through all these songs ..it was nothing short of an epiphany for me. Literally like riding a roller coaster. Escapism at its finest. I probably listened to this record every day until I was 9! In an era of 100 unbelievable guitarists he was THE guitarist - and every single guitar player agrees...and we never agree on anything!.. but this - we do. So much more can be said - but I'm just gonna leave it there for now..and go throw on some Women and Children First. Eddie Van Halen...jeeze..what a contribution. Thank you very much for opening up the electric guitar and rock and roll as we now know it! Wow!!????????????❤️

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GALLERY: A Look at 1978’s Best Rock Albums

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice.