There are over 300 Guitar Center stores across the United States, but only one of them features the cemented handprints and signatures of some of the most iconic musicians of our time, and that’s the Guitar Center at 7425 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Welcome to the Rock Walk.
Founded in 1985 and inspired by the famous TCL Chinese Theatre just one mile away on Hollywood Boulevard — where you’ll find the handprints and footprints of film and TV legends — the Rock Walk has memorialized some of the biggest names in music history. Read on for more details about this unique music industry attraction, its background and what you’ll see when visiting.
A guitar store and a cultural attraction
A hidden gem in the heart of Hollywood, the Rock Walk is often missed as tourists make their way to other popular area landmarks. The collection of handprints from the world’s most famous musicians and industry pioneers is located at the Guitar Center’s flagship store in Hollywood.
Inside the store, visitors can peruse walls lined by every style of guitar imaginable as well as sound and lighting equipment for live music events.
Immediately in front of the store’s entrance, meanwhile, you’ll find one of LA’s lesser-known attractions – more than 150 handprints and signatures memorialized in cement that have become an industry-recognized music landmark.
The Rock Walk was established in November 1985 as a space to honor musicians along with other industry trailblazers who made significant contributions to music’s growth and development. The idea was to create a historic institution as compelling as TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theater) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Note: While the bronze plaque outside says Rock Walk, Guitar Center calls it RockWalk (and sometimes even Rockwalk). We’ll use these names interchangeably in this post, just like folks do here in LA.
Over the years, the RockWalk has grown to include artists and industry leaders from rock ‘n’ roll to blues to R&B. And to ensure the bonafide legend status of those memorialized, each new inductee is selected by previous honorees.
Local tip: If you happen to be into guitars, you’ll want to check out the back room filled with vintage (and pricey) instruments.
What you’ll see at the RockWalk
While smaller in size than the sidewalk in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood’s Guitar Center manages to showcase the handprints of an impressive variety of famous music industry figures.
Stevie Wonder was one of the inaugural inductees on the RockWalk back in 1985 along with Jim Marshall, Robert Moog, Eddie Van Halen, and Les Paul. Paul, a great guitar player in his own right, was instrumental (pun absolutely intended) in the design of the Gibson guitar model that bears his name. Like the Fender Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix famously played upside down and strung for a lefty, the Gibson Les Paul has been the guitar of choice for the likes of Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, and Slash among many others.
The original inductees share real estate on the RockWalk with a long list of music legends that have subsequently been added.
Here are some of the names you’ll find at the RockWalk:
- Chuck Berry
- Little Richard
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Leo Fender (inventor of the Fender guitar)
- Kiss
- Bo Diddley
- Brian Wilson
- James Brown
- Aerosmith
- Smokey Robinson
- The Moody Blues
- The Doobie Brothers
- Carl Perkins
- Greg Allman
- Black Sabbath
- Grace Slick
- Alice Cooper
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Nancy Wilson
- Johnny Cash
- Jethro Tull
- Steely Dan
- Ted Nugent
- Emerson Lake & Palmer
- Jeff Beck
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Kansas
- The Ramones
- The Ventures
- Jan & Dean
- Carlos Santana
- B.B. King
- Carol King
- Dick Clark
Things to do near the Rock Walk in LA
At the Rock Walk, you’re in the heart of Hollywood, right on Sunset Boulevard, so there’s plenty more to see nearby. Here are some of the best things to do within walking distance of the Rock Walk.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Ever wanted to snap a selfie with Beyoncé, stand beside Spider-Man, or lock eyes with Audrey Hepburn? Madame Tussauds Hollywood lets you do all that and more with its dazzling collection of over 100 wax figures across nine immersive zones.
But the real magic happens when you join our Hollywood Stars VIP Tour — the only guided experience of the museum. You’ll go behind the scenes as our expert guide weaves insider stories about the legends on display, from silent film stars to today’s A-listers. It’s a fun, photo-filled journey through movie history that goes beyond the wax, perfect for film buffs and curious visitors alike.
Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
I mentioned it before, but these two better-known attractions are close by.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Hollywood without strolling the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Spanning 15 blocks, it covers over 2,700 brass-embellished stars, honoring the likes of Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Just off the walk, the historic TCL Chinese Theatre invites you to see blockbuster films where premieres still roll out the red carpet. Don’t forget to check out the forecourt filled with celebrity handprints, footprints, and signatures. It’s a living timeline of Hollywood history.
Haunted Hollywood Walking Tour
Think Hollywood is all sunshine and spotlights? Think again. Our Haunted Hollywood Walking Tour takes you into the darker corners of LA’s glitzy past. Led by passionate guides who are part historian, part ghost hunter, this eerie two-hour walk reveals the chilling stories behind famous landmarks. Hear about the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, the unsolved Hollywood Ripper case, and what still haunts the halls of the Pantages Theatre.
Whether you’re into true crime, paranormal tales, or just love a good spine-tingling story, this tour will have you looking over your shoulder — in the best way.
Amoeba Music
If you love music, this one’s for you.
Just a short stroll from the RockWalk, Amoeba Music is a mecca for music fans. This massive indie record store boasts rows of new and vintage vinyl, rare finds, band merch, and even live in-store performances. Whether you’re into punk, pop, or jazz, there’s a good chance you’ll find something unexpected.
An LA tribute to music history
For music fans, the Rock Walk offers a chance to compare your handprints to those of music industry legends. It’s also a free LA attraction that can be explored at any hour since it’s outdoors and not subject to the Guitar Center store’s operating hours.
If you’re in the area, consider combining a visit with one of our guided tours of LA to get an even richer experience of the city’s history.
What to learn more about music experiences on Sunset Boulevard? Read my guide to the best music venues on the Sunset Strip.
