Eddie Van Halen Mural Displayed Outside Guitar Center's Hollywood Store

Eddie Van Halen Mural Displayed Outside Guitar Center’s Hollywood Store

2021-01-28

Eddie Van Halen performing live at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan.

Eddie Van Halen – Story by Cat Badra, photo by Ken Settle

Guitar Center is honoring the legacy of Eddie Van Halen with a new mural at its flagship Hollywood store

A new mural honoring the late Eddie Van Halen debuted at Guitar Center’s flagship store on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California, on Tuesday (Jan. 26), the same date that would have been his 66th birthday. The massive painting features a colorful image of Eddie shredding on his famed “Frankenstrat” guitar, courtesy of muralist Robert Vargas.

The mural is massive, measuring 17 feet tall and 105 feet wide. It covers the full outer wall of the Guitar Center store at its back entrance.

“Eddie was one of my creative heroes. When I was young, the debut Van Halen record was the first album I ever owned,” Vargas said in a statement. “He influenced me over the years in so many different ways. As soon as the news hit of his passing, I knew I had to do something creative to memorialize him, and Guitar Center was the obvious venue.”

“Right here on the Sunset Strip, where the band made their bones — I can’t think of a better place for this tribute to him, and I thank Guitar Center for giving me the canvas to share it with the world,” he added.

The mural is an apt addition to Guitar Center’s Hollywood flagship location. After all, a collection of Eddie’s guitars and other memorabilia are on display at the store.

The mural is meant to show Eddie “in his full glory.” Vargas says he hopes it inspires new musicians to see that all things are possible.

“When you work hard at something, you can reach your full potential,” Vargas said. “Be true to your art, and your art will be true to you. I had the chance to meet Eddie a few years back, and because he and I connected on the nature of art and creativity, painting him here is therapeutic.”

Eddie passed away following a long battle with cancer on Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65.

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.