Guitar Center and Hollywood RockWalk

Guitar Center and Hollywood RockWalk Review

For those who love to rock, this store salutes you. At the Guitar Center on Sunset you can try out any musical instrument your heart desires as well as view memorabilia donated by some of the store's star customers—Led Zeppelin's set list, Jeff Beck's yellow Strat guitar, and KISS members' platform boots are memorable highlights. Be sure to check out the collection of vintage guitars at the store's back.

A place that has provided equipment for virtually every band to have come out of Los Angeles since the 1960s, the store pays tribute to its rock star clientele with a "RockWalk," out front. The concrete slabs are imprinted with the talented hands of Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, Def Leppard, Carlos Santana, KISS, and others. Two standouts are Joey Ramone's upside-down hand and Lemmy of Motörhead's "middle finger salute."

Inductees are celebrated with a ceremony that's open to the public—check the Web site for details. The store's adjacent mini-museum displays signed sheet music and broadsides of lyrics as well star memorabilia such as Bob Dylan's hat and harmonica.