An Eddie Van Halen memorial plaque is set to be installed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium!
The news came via a recent posting to the Pasadena 4 Van Halen GoFundMe website .The memorial tribute was launched by two Pasadena residents – Randa Schmalfeld and Julie Kimura, who have since raised $6,500 through fan donations. The goal was to come up with the funds for a permanent memorial to be installed in Eddie’s former hometown. The plaque, according to Schmalfield and Kimura, was not only approved by the City of Pasadena and the Executive Board of the Pasadena Civic Operating Company, but also vetted by the Van Halen family.
Below is the post from Schmalfield and Kimura dated September 16, 2021:
Hello From Pasadena 4 Van Halen!
Julie and I are so grateful for your patience, and we finally have a BIG announcement!
We have received formal approval for our plaque which is set to be installed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium! This plaque will honor Edward Van Halen and highlight the role that the Pasadena Civic played in Van Halen’s rise to international stardom.
Our plaque has been vetted by the Van Halen Family and approved by The City of Pasadena, and the Executive Board of the Pasadena Civic Operating Company. As you know, we have been working towards this for some time and we are delighted to share that the plaque has been ordered and will be fabricated very soon.
The plaque will honor the early days of Van Halen and the importance of their performances at the Pasadena Civic in the 1970’s. In addition to a brief description about the Van Halen family and the band, and their relationship to Pasadena, it will also include the infamous Van Halen logo, which the band has approved for display on the plaque. Pasadena 4 Van Halen will be acknowledged on the plaque for the generous donations that you have all made to support this effort. It’s going to be so beautiful and we can’t wait for you all to see it one day soon!
The details surrounding the fabrication and installation of the plaque are still being worked out. We will keep you informed as we learn more, including details on when the plaque will be unveiled.
Julie and I are so grateful for your generosity and support. We will update you soon with more info about this plaque and other potential projects. Until then, we hope that you enjoy these vintage posters from some of Van Halen’s epic shows at the Pasadena Civic.
Thanks again for your support!
Randa
Yesterday (September 19) Schmalfield and Kimura updated fans on when the plaque will be installed:
We are looking forward to sharing the City’s plans for unveiling our plaque as soon as they are finalized. We are hearing that our plaque will likely be installed within the next several weeks!
Julie and I are so very grateful for your support! We have come so far and the emails and messages of encouragement that we have received from many of you have warmed our hearts. Our work with Pasadena 4 Van Halen is truly a labor of love and we are glad to be doing this on behalf of all of you.
With love,
Randa
Pasadena assistant city manager Julie A. Gutierrez announced in her weekly newsletter dated September 16th, 2021 that the Pasadena Center Operating Committee endorsed the language and location of the plaque:
Eric Duyshart, Economic Development Manager, reports the Pasadena Center Operating Committee recently reviewed and endorsed the language and location of a memorial plaque to be placed in honor of the late legendary guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, a member of the award-winning band Van Halen on their site.
“Following the passing of Eddie Van Halen on October 6, 2020, the City received several requests and suggestions from the community to do or name something in Mr. Van Halen’s honor to recognize both his local connection to Pasadena, as well as the impact that his artistry had on music. Given the band’s connection to Pasadena and the hometown pride expressed by residents, several requests have been made to name a street, alley, or other monument (including a memorial plaque) in the band’s honor. Pasadena 4 Van Halen, a local group has raised money to fund this effort.
The placement of monuments, including memorial plaques, is under the administrative jurisdiction of the City Manager. Monuments must meet criteria for appropriateness, compatibility with the surrounding environment, impacts on existing use, etc. The Executive Committee of the PCOC endorsed the overall effort to place a plaque outside the Civic Auditorium, a location where the band played several of its earliest perfo1mances. It is anticipated that the fabrication of the plaque will take several weeks and will be ready for installation and a dedication sometime around the anniversary of the late musician’s passing.
Listen To Van Halen At The Pasadena Civic Auditorium October 15th, 1977