Robert Vargas' Mural Becomes Proof, Eddie Van Halen Is Not Just A Guitarist But Also An Inspiration

Eddie Van Halen (Instagram @therobertvargas)

JAKARTA - Right on Eddie Van Halen's 66th birthday on January 26 yesterday. Artist Robert Vargas launched a mural entitled Long Live the King which is displayed in front of the Guitar Center shop on the Sunset Strip, Hollywood.

“I am very enthusiastic about making a mural for one of my creative heroes, @eddievanhalen. This mural is aimed at fans and celebrations of my favorite rock band, the legacy of @vanhalen. "

Robert Vargas allows fans to watch the process of making the mural. He also played various Van Halen songs while drawing them

The results can be seen on Vargas' Instagram account, a portrait of Eddie with his signature Frankenstrat guitar. The Van Halen logo is the background for the photos that adorn the entire wall.

All for Idols

There is a story behind the process of choosing Eddie Van Halen's pose for this mural. The image of Eddie wearing a necklace and holding a guitar is called Robert Vargas as the hallmark of the rock star. The necklace worn by the guitar god was often worn in the 1980/1981 era and the logo often appears at the same time

“When you look at him (Eddie) and watch him play, when he raises his guitar like that, an iconic pose for him. A sign that he is in a zone. He 'flew' "said Robert Vargas to launch Variety.

However, the main reason Robert Vargas created the Eddie Van Halen mural was more than just necklaces and logos. yes, Robert Vargas fully admired the figure of Eddie Van Halen.

“Van Halen is my favorite rock band, first concert, first record, so for me it's not an artist-hired situation. It's like a music fan and someone who understands the differences. It is important for me to open the process so that fans come and become part of (the mural). "

This admiration was also immortalized in the mural creation process where Robert Vargas did not recruit anyone to become his team. Everything was done by hand - without projections, lines, or tool assistance even within two weeks.

The choice of Guitar Center as the place for the mural to stick because it is located in the Sunset Strip area, Hollywood - one of the places where Van Halen started his musical journey. "If an Eddie Van Halen mural is going to be put up here, I will be the one to make it. I want to do it bigger than life, like Eddie."

Not the Only Tribute

In October 2020, Eddie Van Halen passed away after battling cancer. As one of the top rock stars, he has a big influence in the music industry.

Van Halen's self-titled debut album was released in 1978 and topped the Billboard charts. This is the most successful commercial debut in the rock music scene. That feat increased until Van Halen won his first Grammy award in 1992.

Eddie is known for playing two-handed tapping. His signature technique inspired guitarists in the era after him.

“When it comes to his music, he seems to come from another planet, but as a human he has a connection. When we saw the mural, I thought it warmed our hearts, ”said Jean-Claude Escudie, manager of Guitar Center Platinum.

Apart from the murals at the Guitar Center, there were a number of tributes given by fans to celebrate Eddie Van Halen's birthday. Eddie's handprints and memorabilia are also on display at Guitar Center.

Animator Thomas J. Yagodinski made a clip in which he combines a Javanese character from Star Wars playing the song Eruption by Eddie Van Halen.

Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, uploaded a tribute video for his father via his personal Twitter account. The video shows the young Wolfgang and his father playing with a dog.

“I hope I can give you the biggest hug and celebrate with you. I love and miss you so much that it hurts. Even I don't know how to put it into words. I've done my best to endure it but it is very difficult here without you, ”Wolfgang wrote.

Not to forget, Wolfgang thanked Robert Vargas and the Guitar Center for making the mural of his beloved father. "It is a great honor to see Pop immortalized in such a beautiful way," he said in his tweet.

I want to extend my most heartfelt gratitude to the unfathomably talented @TheRobertVargas, and @guitarcenter for the painting of this incredible mural of my father at Guitar Center Hollywood. What an incredible honor it is to see Pop immortalized in such a beautiful way. pic.twitter.com/BdfwevCnJC

- Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) January 27, 2021

The respect and admiration that Robert Vargas poured out for Eddie Van Halen is proof that Eddie Van Halen is not just a guitar player but also an inspiration to many people.