Eddie Van Halen‘s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli’s brother, David Bertinelli, has told Alternative Nation that he had spoken to guitarist two weeks ago and “he sounded good.” It has been reported that legendary VAN HALEN guitarist is battling throat cancer.
“I spoke to Ed less than 2 weeks ago and he sounded good; the same as I have known for over 30 years,” David said.
“He also sent me a text Thursday thanking my son for the Thank You picture he had drawn for a guitar Ed donated to the school.”
TMZ reported that he was diagnosed with cancer nearly 20 years ago and has been travelling between the United States and Germany for treatment.
Back in 2000, shortly after he was diagnosed, doctors removed around 1/3 of his tongue.
Sources told TMZ that Eddie has flown to Germany for 5 years to get radiation treatment, and for the most part it’s worked to keep the disease in check.
Eddie‘s friend and TOTO guitarist Steve Lukather told The Eddie Trunk Podcast in September that ‘There’s been some health issues that they’re [VAN HALEN brothers] dealing with and stuff like that.”
He continued: “We’re older guys now, and to go on the road, and stuff like that, it requires a lot of extra effort in terms of as a human being.”
