When the people we love die, memories of the things we did together keep them alive in our minds. Today’s technology allows us to take that a step further. Thanks to advancements in blockchain technology, you can own original pieces of art, compositions, or even an instrument. That is what House of Petals is offering the late Eddie Van Halen’s fans.
On March 25, 2022, the journey to own a part of Eddie’s life’s work will begin. House of Petals founder Joey House will launch a rock and roll star’s NFT guitar and flower collection. According to Joey, this launch will be everything and more. The items in the collection will include real, custom-made guitars as well as the rarest and most valuable NFTs. Hosted in one of Eddie’s favorite locations, it will be the beginning of a journey into the metaverse and real-life that will bring together everyone we loved and his fans as well.
In Eddie’s lifetime, House of Petals served many purposes. During the day, it was a flower shop and at night the venue transformed into Hollywood’s underground rock and roll lounge. The lounge was a safe place where you’d find fans and artists like Eddie mingling. It was not uncommon for superstars and famous personalities to seek refuge there, certain they’d be safe from the paparazzi. Halle Berry, Farrah Fawcett, Sean Penn, Eddie Van Halen, and Tone Loc are some of the artists who frequented the lounge.
Joey fondly remembers nights spent at the House of Petals laughing, playing music, and talking with artists. Surrounded by the echoes of great music, the smell of flowers, art, and style, they would share love, humor, and creativity. It was during those nights that the House of Petals guitar collection came to be.
“The guitars will serve as a reminder to the world of what Eddie was, and the things he stood for,” shares Joey. “We’re on a journey to reintroduce those things to Eddie’s fans around the world.”
The journey will start with the guitars and flowers, but it will not stop there. The funds gathered from the sale of the NFTs will go towards creating a House of Petals in the metaverse. In the coming months, members of the House of Petals NFT community will enjoy exclusive benefits.
The House of Petals NFTs will give their holders special access to venues, events, and greenroom hangouts available exclusively to them. Some of the biggest artists, players, and influencers in both the art and music industries are members of the community. The hangouts will happen both in the metaverse and in real life. The project’s developers also have more utilities that will be unveiled as the project grows. According to the developers, the ultimate goal is to create a 90’s rock and roll House of Petals metaverse where future generations will get real-life experiences of what that was like.
Duquan Brown of Future Media, HOP project lead marketing executive, manager from the music industry, is focused on establishing legacy and the art of music in the metaverse in leading this project. “What we are doing is historic. Now we will be able to share this cool experience with the WORLD.” he says.
“I want to memorialize the history of Rock’N Roll through the Metaverse,” shares Carrie Lyn, of The Creative House part of the HOP NFT team building this metaverse community. “NFT holders will be able to experience the history of Rock’N Roll versus reading a book or watching a documentary. We’re nurturing the upcoming generations that are still finding their sound.”
Outside the metaverse, House of Petals will keep the community together through physical concerts and events. These events will be dedicated to up-and-coming artists, a group that was particularly close to Eddie’s heart. The artists will have a chance to interact with experienced artists and to receive mentorship.
“In honor of all that Eddie has done and in support of what he stood for, a portion of the NFTs will be donated toward initiatives that directly affected Eddie and his mission.”
They include the City of Hope for cancer treatment and research, Eric Clapton’s rehab center Crossroads, and a national high school tour, providing guitar and piano lessons to underprivileged music students