In a recent interview with Dave Ling of Classic Rock, Gene Simmons, the bassist of KISS, offered a fresh perspective on Eddie Van Halen’s belief regarding the origin of his illness. Simmons suggested that Van Halen’s lifelong habit of smoking may have played a significant role in his battle with tongue cancer.
Van Halen’s struggle with cancer began in the early 2000s when he received a diagnosis of tongue cancer. The subsequent treatment necessitated the removal of approximately one-third of his tongue. By 2002, his doctors declared him cancer-free. However, Van Halen had his own theory about the cause of his cancer, which he publicly shared in 2015 with NME. He believed that his habit of holding metal guitar picks in his mouth was to blame.
Simmons, on the other hand, presented an alternative viewpoint during his recent conversation. Recounting his final meeting with Van Halen in Los Angeles, Simmons observed the visible effects of Van Halen’s battle with cancer. He discussed how Van Halen was known for his persistent smoking habit, and in Simmons’ opinion, this habit was a more probable factor contributing to his illness.
Simmons’ perspective challenges Van Halen’s own theory about the cause of his tongue cancer. By highlighting Van Halen’s well-known smoking habit, Simmons suggests that this long-standing addiction may have played a more significant role in the development of the illness. This differing viewpoint provides an alternative lens through which to understand the potential factors contributing to Van Halen’s health struggles.
The bassist’s words on the reason Eddie had cancer:
“I had read that he blamed his condition on using a metal guitar pick, putting it in his mouth. In my view, that wasn’t the case. Ed smoked all the time.”
2 comments
You didn’t have to die of cancer because of smoking – most of the smokers do not realize that COPD hits most of them and make other diseases – cancer also – more serious than expected. My mom died primarly of smoking and COPD, but secondarly of some auto immune things, childhood hepatits and less serious things.
Without smoking she would’ve lived 5 to 10 years longer…
Whether smoking caused it or not it definitely didn’t help matters.