On November 13th, 1985, Edward Van Halen placed his hands in cement as he was inducted into the Hollywood, California Rock Walk. The Rock Walk is located in front of the Guitar Center music store on Sunset Boulevard.
Other inductees at the inaugural ceremony included Stevie Wonder, Robert Moog (creator of the Moog Synthesizer), drum king Remo Belli, Les Paul, luthier Frank Martin III, and amplifier creator Jim Marshall. Among the dozens of celebrities on hand to witness the event were Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banalli and Carlos Cavazo, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Valerie Bertinelli, the late Ennis Cosby, and Lita Ford.
Years later, Jim Marshall recounted being present at that event for Neil Zlozower’s Eddie Van Halen:
“Every once in a while, a rock guitarist comes along who resets the standard — or as you like to say in America, “raises the bar!”
“Eric Clapton did exactly that in the 1960s with the “Beano” album. The likes of Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix did the self-same thing too. Between the four of them, Eric, Jimmy, Jeff, and Jimi really did set the standard by which all others were judged in those all-important early days of the genre.
“I can vividly recall the excitement Edward Van Halen created in the late 1970s with his incredible, groundbreaking guitar playing on his band’s debut album. His fantastic technique really did raise that proverbial bar! And, just like the other chaps I’ve mentioned, it wasn’t only his playing but his tone that inspired countless others all over the world. I was both delighted and proud to learn that, just like those before him, Edward’s amp on that pivotal first Van Halen record, was a Marshall.
“I met Edward briely in late 1985 when we were both part of the very first Rock Walk ceremony in front of Guitar Center in Hollywood. Along with several others, including my much missed and very dear friend, Les Paul, we had our names and handprints set in cement on the sidewalk of Sunset Strip. It was a wonderful and memorable day. Edward struck me as a very nice and thoroughly modest young fellow, with a wonderful sense of humor.”
—Jim Marshall
Eddie Van Halen, Les Paul, Bill Ludwig Jr, Jim Marshall, Remo Belli