Just wow. Approximately 2,000 ecstatic YUNGBLUD fans converged on Guitar Center Hollywood to meet the popular British vocalist, guitarist and actor, and celebrate the release of his signature Epiphone SG Junior guitar. The queue twisted and turned around the block from the store entrance, and quite a few diehards camped overnight on Sunset Boulevard to secure a position at the front of the line.  

Pictured: Fans waiting in line to meet YUNGBLUD at Guitar Center Hollywood

Even more astoundingly incredible, YUNGBLUD greeted every single fan, happily autographed everything he was asked to, and personally signed each and every Epiphone YUNGBLUD SG Junior purchased at the store. (Note: Guitar Center Hollywood completely sold out of the signature guitars on hand that day.) The event was a wonderful testament to how much YUNGBLUD values and appreciates his fans, as—let’s say it again, because it’s kind of outrageous—everyone who showed up was engaged, selfied and even hugged by the superstar. We’re thinking if there’s not some kind of record for talking to more than 2,000 fans one on one, someone should establish the honor and award it to YUNGBLUD, who throughout the event was hilarious and grateful. 

Pictured: YUNGBLUD signs a fan's YUNGBLUD Signature Epiphone SG Junior

“It's legend,” said YUNGBLUD. “I grew up in guitar shops back home, but it’s massive for a British kid to come to Sunset Boulevard and Guitar Center—let alone release a signature guitar. It’s a pretty mad day for us.”

During an interview in the Hollywood Vintage Room on the very day of the guitar’s launch, YUNGBLUD and his friend, guitar player and producer Adam Warrington, each played a signature Epiphone SG Junior while discussing the model’s development and why it’s important to YUNGBLUD’s creative process.

Left: YUNGBLUD, Right: Adam Warrington (YUNGBLUD's producer, guitarist and friend)

“I think the inspiration for this thing is looking at guitar heroes such as Angus Young and Billie Joe Armstrong,” explains YUNGBLUD. “They were monsters to me—like Super Mario Bowser. I was actually obsessed with Angus Young. He represented freedom and naughtiness and energy. You did not know what was about to happen every time he walked on stage. He made me fall in love with the SG because I loved the horns. It looked really cool to me. So, I wanted an SG Junior, but I didn't like it in red because red is not my color. When I found a white 1964 Gibson SG Junior, I was like, ‘That's my guitar.’”

But although a Gibson inspired YUNGBLUD’s signature model, he opted not to make it with Gibson.

Pictured: YUNGBLUD with his signature Epiphone SG Junior in the Vintage Room at Guitar Center Hollywood

“I wanted it to be an Epiphone so it would be affordable,” he says. “I think that's what we're here for. I feel music has become really inaccessible and privileged in terms of ticket prices and guitar prices. Our whole goal is to make music for everyone, because that's how we go into uncharted territory—especially within the rock genre. I believe our genre is set in its ways, and we're here to shake it up a little bit and literally hand it to new people. There's a new energy in rock music. It's different than it ever has been while still honoring what came before. The rock genre is the most sacred. In rap and pop music, they give away the crown to whoever has the biggest song of the moment. But you’ve got to earn it in this genre.”

Something else that has to earn its stripes is the Epiphone YUNGBLUD SG Junior, because the guitarist doesn’t exactly coddle his instruments.

Pictured: YUNGBLUD signs a shirt for a fan at Guitar Center Hollywood

“I play really scrappy, so the thing about this guitar is it can take a beating,” says YUNGBLUD. “I write my songs in terms of what energy comes out, and I leave all of the beautiful stuff to Adam. For me, this guitar is for power, exploration, naive guitar playing, and just picking it up and seeing what comes out of my brain. It's as if Angus Young shagged Billie Joe Armstrong, and this is the baby.”

Given his dedication to handing off inspiration to others, it’s not surprising that YUNGBLUD started giving his babies away. It started at a festival in Prague, where he brought out a prototype of his Epiphone YUNGBLUD SG Junior. He looked out into the sea of people and decided to bring a kid with a nose ring on stage to play the guitar.

Pictured: YUNGBLUD throws up the horns with his signature Epiphone SG Junior

“His name was Simon, and he was a legend. There’s 50,000 people out there, and he nails it. So, I was like, ‘Keep that guitar.’ We posted it on the internet, and it got a million views. I thought, ‘Oh, cool. People really love this. Maybe we should do it more.’ We went to bed, and it got 100 million views overnight. I called the Epiphone factory, and said, ‘Yo, I need you to send me 20 of those SG Juniors. I plan to start giving away guitars every night.’ And it was sick, because it represented the metaphor that when we embrace each other within guitar music, it's powerful. That's what rock and roll is all about—passing the baton, so that someone can run as fast as they can in their direction without being deterred by anyone else.”

Pictured: YUNGBLUD Signature Epiphone SG Junior guitars on display at Guitar Center Hollywood

Originality being a critical component of YUNGBLUD’s vision for rock and roll, his advice for aspiring guitarists is all about following a unique and personal path.

“Any guidance I’d give a new or young guitar player is that you don’t have to be the best,” he says. “You just have to be individual. Play like you and block out the noise. Make mistakes, because often they lead to magic. I believe that strong and wrong is better than right and shite. That's just me.”