Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and members of city council were on hand for the ceremony, according to Pasadena Now, as they unveiled a plaque on a wall outside of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where Van Halen performed 14 times between 1975 and 1978 before the release of their groundbreaking 1978 self-titled debut album.
The plaque features Eddie’s name alongside an image of the classic-era Van Halen logo, and a brief description of the band’s local history, adding: “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.”
Local residents Randa Schmalfeld and Julie Kimura and their initiative Pasadena 4 Van Halen were recognized at the event, after the pair raised the money to fund a plaque honoring the late rocker, who passed away on October 7, 2020 from a stroke and other complications following a lengthy battle with cancer.
As Councilmember Tyron Hampton pointed out, while neither the surviving band members or family members attended the unveiling because of scheduling conflicts, the family supported the effort and voiced their gratitude to the city for the plaque.
Check out photos from the ceremony at Pasadena Now.
With more than 80 million albums sold worldwide, Van Halen were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.
Mayor, Councilmembers Help Unveil Eddie Van Halen Memorial in Pasadenahttps://t.co/2cTOsw4nkj pic.twitter.com/QuaG40HOFq
— Pasadena Now (@ePasadenaNow) October 11, 2021
See also:
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Wolfgang Van Halen shares tribute to Eddie Van Halen
Wolfgang Van Halen salutes David Lee Roth following retirement news
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Search Van Halen at hennemusic
