Music

Elliott Smith memorial mural is being destroyed to put in a bar

by Jeremy Mersereau

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you want to properly pay tribute to a beloved singer-songwriter who often dealt with issues like drug addiction and alcoholism through his songs, try not to tear down an iconic mural associated with his work in order to put in a bar.

The red, white, and black mural was featured on the cover of Smith’s final album before his death, 2000’s Figure 8. Since Smith’s death from a self-inflicted knife wound in 2003, the mural has become a memorial site where fans leave messages and flowers to show their appreciation for Smith’s musical legacy. Now, though, the owners of the property at 4330 West Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles have announced their intention to cut out a section of the mural to make a window for a new bar. The plan is to then take that section of the mural inside the bar to function as decor. Perhaps anticipating some measure of pushback, they’re naming it Bar Angeles, after Smith’s song “Angeles”. Well, that oughta stave off criticism.

The mural has undergone its share of maintenance and alterations over the years, but this is the first time such a drastic, extensive remodelling of the property has taken place. Turning a musical landmark into a bar is nothing new, but this one in particular seems a little crass, given the subject matter of the bulk of Smith’s output.

Bar Angeles’ grand opening has yet to be announced, but construction is complete and a January opening seems likely.

[H/T Consequence of Sound]