On what would have been the 66th birthday of the legendary Eddie Van Halen, a colossal mural, aptly named “Long Live the King,” was unveiled, paying tribute to the guitar virtuoso. This breathtaking artwork graces the outer wall of Guitar Center’s flagship store on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, a fitting location to celebrate a true guitar icon. Created by Los Angeles-based artist Robert Vargas, the mural captures Eddie Van Halen in his element, complete with the iconic Van Halen logo and his signature “Frankenstrat” guitar, instantly recognizable to fans worldwide. The artwork stretches an impressive 17 feet in height and 105 feet in length, dominating the store’s rear entrance and serving as a powerful visual testament to Van Halen’s enduring legacy.
The unveiling event drew a crowd of admirers, including notable figures such as actor-director Bradley Cooper, TV host George Lopez, and Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal, all keen to witness the tribute to the guitar legend. Jean-Claude Escudie, category manager of Guitar Center Platinum, eloquently expressed the sentiment surrounding the mural: “There’s a sentimentality when we think about having his mural on our wall because to a lot of us, he was a local guy. He was a sweetheart, a smile, a father. When it came to his music, it seemed like he came from another planet, but as a human he was extremely relatable. When we see that mural, I think it warms our hearts.” This mural is more than just art; it’s a local homage to a global icon.
Vargas Captures Van Halen’s Hollywood Spirit
Artist Robert Vargas, who brought this monumental piece to life in under two weeks, emphasized the significance of the location. “This is Hollywood — Sunset Strip, where the band made a name for themselves. I wanted to be able to celebrate that,” Vargas stated. He further explained his motivation to create a larger-than-life depiction, mirroring Eddie’s own larger-than-life persona: “They were famous all around the world, but this is home. If there was going to be an Eddie Van Halen mural that was going to go up here, I definitely had to be the one to do it. I wanted to do it bigger and larger than life, just like Eddie was.” Vargas’s passion for Van Halen and his art is palpable in every brushstroke of this giant mural.
Vargas’s initiative was direct and driven by admiration. He approached Guitar Center with his vision, and the result is this stunning tribute. The mural not only celebrates Eddie Van Halen but also solidifies Sunset Strip’s place in rock and roll history.
Eddie Van Halen: A Game-Changer for Guitarists
The article rightly points out the seismic impact Van Halen had on the world of guitar playing. Remarkably, after just their debut album in 1978, Eddie was already hailed as one of the best, rapidly ascending to the pantheon of guitar greats. He didn’t just play the guitar; he redefined it. Escudie from Guitar Center highlights this transformative impact: “There was a point in history where people were tiring of the glamorous, indulgent, hard rock bands where you had these endless 20-minute guitar solos. There was a quick pivot toward punk rock and minimalism in music. The music that Van Halen was making had that sort of punk rock ethos without the minimalism. They had very hard-hitting, fast, powerful punk-type songs, but with this extraordinary musicianship. He reinvigorated the guitar as the lead instrument.” Van Halen injected a fresh, energetic, and technically astounding approach into rock guitar, inspiring generations of musicians.
According to Vargas, the mural’s design concept emerged quickly. He chose a dynamic pose that perfectly encapsulates Eddie’s performance energy. “When you look at him and watch him play, when he would raise the guitar up like that, it’s just such an iconic pose for him. It means he’s in the zone. He’s just flying.” Vargas also incorporated subtle, yet significant details, such as the necklace Eddie wore during the 1980/1981 era and the classic Van Halen logo from that period. These nuances add depth and authenticity to the artwork, resonating with long-time fans.
A Personal Tribute from a Dedicated Fan
For Vargas, creating this mural was deeply personal. “Van Halen is my favorite rock band, my first concert, my first record,” he shared. “So for me it wasn’t an artist-for-hire situation. It was really just a fan of the music and someone who understands the nuances of it all. It was important for me to also open up the process for the fans to come in and be a part of it.” This genuine passion fueled his dedication and attention to detail.
Vargas even shared his artistic journey live on Instagram, allowing fans worldwide to witness the mural’s creation. Local fans visited the site, singing along to Van Halen tracks as Vargas painted, creating a communal celebration of Eddie’s music. Vargas recalled a past meeting with Eddie, where they discussed their shared creative philosophy of being present in the moment. “That was pretty cool to have that creative dialogue,” Vargas reminisced, highlighting the connection he felt to his subject.
Vargas’s “in the moment” approach extends to his unique mural painting technique. Unlike artists who rely on teams, grids, and projectors, Vargas works entirely freehand. “Typically, an artist that paints at this scale would have a team of people working with them, and would use grids and projectors in a kind of paint-by-numbers situation,” Vargas explained. “My process has always been one that’s completely freehand – no grids, no projections, no stencils. All brushwork, so none of it is aerosol.” This method underscores the raw, organic energy of his art, mirroring the spirit of Van Halen’s music.
Vargas’s ultimate goal was to honor Eddie’s vast legacy, recognizing him as “someone who was more than just a guitar player, but an innovator and an inspiration.” The “Long Live the King” mural stands as a powerful and vibrant testament to Eddie Van Halen’s lasting impact on music and culture, a must-see for any guitar enthusiast visiting Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.
Originally published by Variety.
