Eddie Van Halen mural unveiled at Guitar Center Hollywood flagship store

Guitar center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, unveiled a new mural by Eddie Van Halen on the exterior wall of its flagship store in Hollywood, California, located on the famous Sunset Strip. January 26, 2021, marking the 66th birthday of the legend of the guitar, famous muralist Robert Vargas team up with Guitar center to pay homage to the legacy of Van halen with this striking mural, which represents Eddie playing his iconic “Frankenstrat” ​​guitar. Vargas donated his time and talent to design and create the mural, which is approximately 17 feet high by 105 feet long and covers the entire exterior wall of the store at its back entrance.

Vargas remarks: “Eddie was one of my creative heroes. When I was young, the beginnings VAN HALEN record was the first album I have ever owned. He has influenced me over the years in so many different ways. As soon as news of his passing hit, I knew I had to do something creative to commemorate him, and Guitar center was the obvious place. Here on Sunset Strip, where the band cut their teeth – can’t think of a better place for this tribute to him, and I thank Guitar center for giving me the canvas to share with the world. “

Guitar centerThe Hollywood site has always paid tribute to Eddie Van Halen, with Eddiehandprints being a centerpiece and main attraction of Guitar centericonic RockWalk outside the store, as well as many of his precious instruments and other memorabilia displayed behind glass.

Jean-Claude Escudie, Guitar center category manager, note: “Eddie Van Halen was a truly monumental force in rock music. He made solo guitar playing popular when he could have slipped into minimalist punk and new wave territory, and then essentially the entire ’80s hard rock scene followed in his wake. Guitar center saw this firsthand, as generations of lead guitarists have flocked to our stores trying to capture something of what inspires them Eddiehis. On top of that, sometimes people forget that he was an immigrant and multi-racial, so in many ways his story is the story of the American experience. “

When people experience mural painting, Vargas wants them to see Eddie “in all his glory” and feel that anything is possible. He continues, “When you work hard at something, you can reach your full potential. Be true to your art, and your art will be true to you. I was fortunate to meet you. Eddie years ago, and because he and I connected about the nature of art and creativity, painting it here is therapeutic. Thank you, Guitar center for allowing me to use my creative process to connect with him once again and share him with the world. “

In addition to the monumental Eddie Van Halen mural on the flagship Guitar center Hollywood store wall, the store also has a Jimi Hendrix mural, unveiled on November 3, 2018, in tribute to the musician. Outside the store entrance are concrete blocks bearing the signatures and imprints of more than 150 notable musicians (including Van halen), producers, iconic bands and musical instrument makers who have been recognized for their achievements with the world famous induction RockWalk.

You can visit Guitar centerof Instagram page or Youtube all day to watch the behind-the-scenes video of the Eddie Van Halen mural that comes to life at the Hollywood flagship store and follow @TheRobertVargas on Instagram to see more Robertthe murals of.

Vargas is a contemporary artist known for his multimedia portraits, murals, and live events. Born and raised in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, his best-known works include a mural commissioned by the city of LA “Can’t Stop” from the legendary SUICIDAL TRENDS singer Mike Muir. He sees his public murals in Los Angeles and around the world as a way to reach a wider audience and promote accessible art and community through the creative process.

This is not the first mural created in honor of the iconic musician. Less than a month later Eddiethe death of the airbrush artist Paul Archer Painted a mural by Eddie Van Halen on the back wall of the Archer Airbrushing studio in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Eddie died in October at the age of 65. His death was announced by his son, VAN HALEN bass player Wolfgang van halen.

Eddie died at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. After her death, fans left flowers at her childhood home on Las Lunas Street in Pasadena, California. Additional flowers, candles and fan memorabilia have been placed on Allen Avenue where Eddie and his brother, VAN HALEN drummer Alex, scratched the name of their group in the damp cement of a sidewalk when they were teenagers.

In October, a city council meeting was held in Pasadena, where a memorial honoring Eddie has been discussed. City manager Steve mermell was tasked with coming up with ideas on how best to honor the musician.

VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

Rolling stone classified magazine Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in his list of the 100 greatest guitarists.