Exclusive lessons, interviews, presales and features from the GW archive
Curated Newsletters
Handpicked guitar news, lessons and gear highlights
Early Access
Our biggest stories will go to Backstage Pass holders first
Achievements
Unlock badges as you learn and explore
Join the Conversation
Connect with fellow GW fans across the globe
Tailored For You
Lessons, gear and stories picked for you
Sign up to Guitar World Backstage Pass
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to Guitar World newsletters with the latest news, gear reviews, lessons and exclusive offers.
Join Backstage Pass for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.
By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over,
have read our
Privacy Policy
and agree to the
Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.
Robert Vargas's "Long Live the King" artwork depicts Eddie Van Halen at the "absolute height of his power" and celebrates the life of the influential guitar great
Now, with January 26 marking the late guitar great's 66th birthday, Guitar Center has officially unveiled Vargas's "Long Live the King" artwork, which celebrates the life and legacy of the influential rock guitar icon.
The artwork itself – which measures a massive 17ft by 105ft – sees Van Halen wielding his iconic Frankenstrat, and covers the entire rear entrance of the flagship Guitar Center store on the iconic Sunset Strip. The mural was entirely painted by hand, without the aid of templates, stencils or projections.
"Eddie was one of my creative heroes," said Vargas, who is known for his mixed-media portraits and murals. "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."
"Long Live the King" hopes to showcase Van Halen at "the absolute height of his power", and highlight the inspirational impact that he head on future generations of guitarists.
The video below shows how Vargas completed the fitting tribute, and sees him discuss the impact Van Halen had on his own life.
Echoing Vargas's comments, Guitar Center Category Manager Jean-Claude Escudie said: "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."
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
"Generations of lead guitarists have flocked to our stores to try to capture something of what inspires them about Eddie's playing."
(Image credit: Guitar Center)
Guitar Center added: "Eddie forever changed what we imagine was possible on the guitar. This striking work of art at our flagship store is a tribute to all of those Eddie has inspired and will continue to do so for generations to come."
Vargas's mural is one of a number of tributes created by artists who have sought to pay tribute to the rock music legend.
This week, a stop motion animator created a video of a Jawa shredding Eruption as a creative way to pay his respects.
Matt is the GuitarWorld.com News Editor, and has been writing and editing for the site for five years. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 19 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. During his GW career, he’s interviewed Peter Frampton, Zakk Wylde, Tosin Abasi, Matteo Mancuso and more, and has profiled the CEOs of Guitar Center and Fender.
When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt performs with indie rock duo Esme Emerson, and has previously opened for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Keane, Japanese House and Good Neighbours.
