Bright Knight in DTLA: The Late Adam West Honored With Bat-Signal Lighting At City Hall

By Effie Magazine Staff on June 19, 2017

“There will never be a Batman like Adam West,
and there will never be another Adam West.”
– L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti

The Bat-signal lighting ceremony in honor of the late Adam West, orchestrated between Mayor Eric Garcetti, Police Chief Charlie Beck, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment, was held in DTLA on the evening of June 15, 2017. The event had been announced through an official press release on June 14:

The legendary star of the classic Batman TV series, which aired from 1966-68, passed away on Friday, June 9 at the age of 88. In remembrance of West’s unforgettable portrayal of the celebrated “Bright Knight,” Mayor Garcetti and Chief Beck will light the iconic Bat-signal, which will be projected onto the tower of Los Angeles City Hall at Spring Street. Attending Bat-fans are invited to don their Bat-suits and trusty utility belts in honor of West’s signature role as the true crimefighter.

Bat-fans were encouraged to show up in their Bat-suits and trusty utility belts in honor of West’s most memorable role as the caped crimefighter. And, for those fans not able to join in the tribute, the West family encouraged West’s “old chums” to make a donation to the Adam West Memorial Fund for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It is estimated that thousands of fans flocked to and from the plazas of the Music Center through Grand Park and all the way down to L.A. City Hall that night; many in a variety of themed t-shirts, capes, mask and full costumes from all Batman eras and characters. On display at the bottom of the steps of city hall, the original Batmobile was swarmed by fans with phones snapping photos of the iconic car.

From the top of the stairs of city hall with the Bat-signal lighting up the tower above him, actor Burt Ward told the crowds, “we don’t have him here physically, but let me tell you, I think we’ve got him here spiritually.” Ward played Robin opposite West in the 120 episodes of the series’ three-season run. “My friend Adam (West) would want every single one of you to be incredibly happy and to be joyous because he spent his entire life as a performer making people happy, making them laugh, and trying to make this world a better place.”