A little over a year after the guitar legend died from cancer, his former hometown in California officially unveils his memorial plaque located near the city's Civic Auditorium.
- Oct 12, 2021
AceShowbiz - Late guitar legend Eddie Van Halen has been honored with a memorial plaque in his hometown of Pasadena, California.
The tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member was unveiled on Monday, October 11, a little over a year after his death from cancer (October 6, 2020).
The plaque is near the city's Civic Auditorium, where Eddie's band Van Halen played a number of times between 1975 and 1978.
The inscription reads in part, "Regarded as one of the most successful bands of all time, Van Halen will forever be remembered for reinventing Rock 'n' Roll and their connection to Pasadena."
City Council member Felicia Williams, meanwhile, told Pasadena Now, "This event brings together history and community to celebrate a world-renowned artist."
"It's not just the history of Eddie as a guitar legend, but also the challenges he faced growing up mixed race in Pasadena, which always spoke to me. And the community support and initiative to make this happen is inspiring. Thank you to everyone."
Members of the public were not invited to the ceremony due to coronavirus protocols and the musician's family was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, officials said.
The memorial tribute push was initiated by Randa Schmalfeld and Julie Kimura, two Pasadena residents who raised $6,500 through GoFundMe donations from fans from around the world for a permanent memorial in the city.
"Given the band's connection to Pasadena," city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said Thursday, ahead of the unveiling, "we agreed it was appropriate to place a plaque outside the Civic Auditorium."
