Plans for a memorial to the late guitar icon – who passed away last October at the age of 65 after a lengthy battle with cancer – were supported by Pasadena City Council during an October 2020 meeting after local residents Randa Schmalfeld and Julie Kimura launched a gofundme page to initiate the honor.
Now, the pair have confirmed that they have met with a city official and an official with the Pasadena Center Operating Co. and have been invited to design a plaque honoring Van Halen, which would be installed near the city Convention Center, which is next to the Civic Auditorium, where the band played a dozen times between 1975 and 1978.
The duo have raised $6,500 through fan donations for the project.
“Van Halen’s epic rise from local garage band to hometown heroes to international superstars is nothing short of incredible,” says Schmalfeld. “We are so delighted that Van Halen will be recognized with a plaque celebrating the band’s Pasadena roots, and the important role that the Pasadena Civic Auditorium played in the band’s early success. We are delighted to make this significant donation in celebration of Edward Van Halen’s extraordinary talent and in honor of Van Halen’s Pasadena roots.”
According to Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian, “The City is moving forward with a plaque in front of or adjacent to the Convention Center where the band performed on several occasions in their earlier years.”
Due to legal issues, the pair have been told that the plaque cannot contain Van Halen’s likeness or his famous “Frankenstrat” guitar.
A full Van Halen reunion was considered for a farewell tour in 2019 before Eddie’s health issues shut down the plans; the trek could have seen the group’s original recording lineup perform for the first time since 1984 alongside singers Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone.
Van Halen were named the No. 2 Rock News Artist Of The Year as part of the 2020 hennemusic Rock News Awards.
See also:
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson pays musical tribute to Eddie Van Halen
Mammoth WVH: Wolfgang Van Halen streams lyric video for Think It Over
Wolfgang Van Halen previews second Mammoth WVH album
Wolfgang Van Halen streams new Mammoth WVH track Think It Over
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
