Sources directly connected to the rock star tell the US site EDDIE died at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica Tuesday. His wife, Janie, was by his side, along with his son, Wolfgang, and Alex, Eddie's brother and drummer.

 

We're told in the last 72 hours Eddie's ongoing health battle went massively downhill - doctors discovered his throat cancer had moved to his brain as well as other organs.

 

As you know, Eddie has been battling cancer for well over a decade. Our sources say he's been in and out of the hospital over the past year - including last November for intestinal issues - and recently underwent a round of chemo.

 

Wolfgang mourned his father online, writing ... "He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss." He added, "I love you so much, Pop."

 

Eddie was 65.