RIP: 5 Must-See Rockstar Memorials in the U.S.

We didn’t even know George Harrison had a memorial in Los Angeles, until we heard about its demise.

Warning – for those who don’t like puns, look the other way.

George Harrison’s memorial tree, which was planted in Los Angeles by the Griffith Park Observatory in 2004, was ironically killed by beetles.

Yes, beetles.

For someone who spent most of his life out of the spotlight, dedicating his time to “preparing himself” for the afterlife, we find poetic justice in what happened to the tree. And we can totally picture George smirking down at the tourists whose cameras have nothing to capture but a plaque where the plant once lived.

Of course, the tree will be replaced, but we can’t help but wonder what George will do will happen to the new one!

When you mention rockstar memorials, most people think of Jim Morrison‘s grave site in Paris. But did you know that there are plenty of memorials dedicated to rockstars right here in the U.S.?

Here are 5 other rockstar memorials scattered across the U.S., which have yet to be destroyed by “the beetles”:

1. Kurt Cobain Memorial Park – Abderdeen, WA

Memorial of Kurt Cobain next to the Wishkah River in Aberdeen,WA, a cement statue of his Fender Jaguar guitar. http://t.co/M7OBOBPBSU

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kathleen zyskowski (@kathyzyskowski) April 06, 2014

If you go to visit Kurt’s memorial park, you might as well stop by Viretta Park while you’re there.

Every year, Nirvana fans gather at Viretta Park on the anniversary of Kurt’s death, April 5th, to pay tribute to the late lead singer. Viretta Park became an unofficial memorial to Kurt when fans started writing graffiti messages to him on the benches.

At ift.tt/1fEtfhi -- Viretta Park - Seattle Washington http://t.co/mDV70Fnyst

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Scenes from Seattle (@ScenesfromSeatt) July 03, 2014

2. Evlis Presley’s Grave in Graceland – Memphis, TN

The grave of Elvis Presley. #uhm #hi #theking http://t.co/ftdc18hrHL

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julio (@Juliajoyarias) June 16, 2013

Did you know that Elvis’s body was moved from its original resting place to his Graceland estate due to people trying to steal his body? In order for the king to rest in peace, he had to go home.

But can you really call it resting in peace when 600,000 fans visit his grave each year?

Elvis’s gravesite has been lumped into the money-driven Graceland tour, however it is probably worth the cost since it was named “Best Iconic American Attraction” by USA Today. Have you ever been? Paul McCartney has:

Paul McCartney leaves guitar pick on Elvis Presley's grave 'so Elvis can play in heaven.' bit.ly/ZsFjja http://t.co/oSCE0TyVRV

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  (@Rockschool) May 29, 2013

3. John Lennon’s Strawberry Fields Memorial – New York, NY

Walking through Strawberry Fields in Central Park and visiting the John Lennon Imagine memorial #ilovenyc http://t.co/11XdPKCJJH

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Philip Tate (@PhilipTater) June 14, 2014

Those hailing from Boston may have seen John Lennon’s Imagine circle, officially known as the “Strawberry Fields Memorial” in New York’s Central Park.

The location of the memorial may just seem tourist-friendly, but there’s more to it than that. The location is actually quite chilling, as the memorial lives across the street from the apartment building where John once lived, and fatally, was shot.

4. Johnny Cash’s Grave in Hendersonville Memory Gardens – Hendersonville, TN

The #JohnnyCash Grave Site proved to be a determining factor in points for the #AmericaAdventure. #ThinkPlayDrive http://t.co/EM2XntwDff

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RaceTrackEngineering (@RaceTrackEngrng) October 28, 2013

The “Man in Black” is resting in peace alongside his wife, June Carter, at the Hendersonville Memorial Gardens, near their former home in Tennessee. Simple and understated, the couple’s grave says everything it needs to with the song lyric, “I Walk The Line”.

5. Frank Sinatra’s Grave in Desert Memorial Park – Cathedral City, CA

Frank Sinatra's grave http://t.co/NsquCgQQdB

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Connor Priest (@connor_priest) June 13, 2014

In 1992, Frankie was buried in true rockstar fashion, with a bottle of Jack and a pack of Camel cigarettes tucked into his pocket. The title of Sinatra’s famous song. “The Best Is Yet to Come”, is engraved in his gravestone.

Have you been to any of these memorial sites? Let us know about your experience in the comment section below!

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