What would have been Eddie Van Halen's 66th birthday today, January 26th, was marked with the unveiling of a giant mural outside of Guitar Center's Sunset Strip store in Hollywood, Ca.
The 17 foot by 105 mural was painted by Robert Vargas and depicts Eddie playing his signature red, white and black Frankenstrat guitar and covers the store's rear wall.
Vargas had this to say, "Eddie was one of my creative heroes. When I was young, the debut Van Halen record was the first album I ever owned. 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."
Jean-Claude Escudie, Guitar Center Category Manager, added, "Eddie Van Halen was a truly monumental force in rock music. He made lead guitar playing popular when it might have been slipping away into punk and new wave minimalist territory, and then basically the entire 80s hard rock scene followed in his wake.
"Guitar Center saw this first-hand, as generations of lead guitarists have flocked to our stores to try to capture something of what inspires them about Eddie's sound.
"Besides that, sometimes people forget that he was an immigrant and multi-racial, so in so many ways his story is the story of the American experience."
Eddie Van Halen Did Not Let Fame Go To His Head Says Anthony
B-Sides: Eddie Van Halen Mural, Fear Factory's New Album, Megabelt For Dave Mustaine and more
Eddie Van Halen Tribute Show Push From Hagar and Anthony
Michael Anthony Reached Out To Alex Van Halen Following Eddie's Death
Michael Anthony Sad He Didn't Resolve Issues With Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen's Son Addresses Rumor About New Version Of Band 2020 In Review
Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony Tribute Eddie Van Halen2020 In Review
Eddie Van Halen's 'Eruption' Given Bass Makeover By Son 2020 In Review
Sammy Hagar Shares Vintage Performance With Eddie Van Halen
Root 66: New Riders of the Purple Sage- Gene Clark- More
Robert Plant, Yes and Willie Nelson Among Stars Coming to Ozarks Amphitheater
Live: Heart and Cheap Trick Rock Tampa
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Days 4 & 5: Starship Lands on the Pearl, Alan Parsons Takes It Home
The Rolling Stones Share Video From Hackney Diamonds Tour Launch
David Gilmour Launching Royal Albert Hall Residency
August Burns Red To Play Constellations in Full During Christmas Burns Red
Daryl Hall Introduces New Album With 'Can't Say No To You' Video
Robert Jon & The Wreck 'Give Love' With New Song
Jesse Colin Young's Classic Album 'The Perfect Stranger' Gets Digital Reissue
Solence Says F The Bad Vibes With New Video
Prog Ensemble Circuline Releases Official Video For New Single 'All'