Billy Idol will be honored with the 2,743rd star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame this year
The star, which is the first of 2023, will be dedicated at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Music, with Billy being awarded the honor in the category of Recording.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has proudly hosted the globally iconic Hollywood Walk Of Fame since 1960. The Chamber exists to transform business and improve lives. Through the Walk Of Fame, the Chamber celebrates the business that transforms us all — the business of entertainment. Entertainment is a unique blend of art and enterprise: elevating and inspiring us all.
“There will be lots of rebels yelling for their favorite rock star Billy Idol when he receives his well-deserved Walk Of Fame star on January 5th,” stated Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Since the beginning of his career Billy Idol has held the hearts of many of his fans who finally will be able to visit his star and witness his induction into the Walk Of Fame,” added Martinez.
Joining emcee Lupita Sanchez Cornejo for the star unveiling will be artist Shepard Fairey and rocker Henry Rollins.
Idol was an early architect of the sound, style, and fury of punk rock. His lip- curling sneer and fist-pumping persona vaulted him into the mainstream as one of MTV’s first megastars, making him one of the most recognizable faces in pop music, He has sold 40 million albums while scoring numerous platinum albums worldwide, nine top forty singles in the U.S. and 10 in the U.K. including “Dancing With Myself“, “White Wedding“, “Rebel Yell“, “Mony Mony“, “Eyes Without A Face“, “Flesh For Fantasy” and “Cradle Of Love“. Billy was responsible for some of punk rock’s most memorable, literate, and evocative moments and created a pioneering new sound by bringing the spirit of ’77 to the dance floor, going on to fashion an immediately identifiable musical blueprint that integrates club-land throb, rockabilly desperation, and rock’n’roll decadence.
Forty-five years after releasing his first 45, Billy Idol still makes gliding, thumping, cinematic songs about sin, redemption and the love of rock ‘n’ roll… and that’s what you will find on “The Roadside” and “The Cage“, Idol’s latest two four-song EPs released in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Both EPs will be instantly familiar to lovers of classic Idol, while announcing a firm step into the future full of color, power, atmosphere, attitude, and mystery. And on both new releases Billy is joined by his friend and collaborator since 1981, guitarist and songwriter Steve Stevens. For 41 years — 41 years! — Steve has been Billy Idol’s sonic assassin and master blender of tones and textures, the thinking man’s shredder and the shredding man’s Picasso.
Idol, together with his band featuring Stevens, have consistently toured the world for the past two decades, headlining theatres and arenas and performing at major festivals all over the world.
Idol has always found time to support various causes in need, including Teenage Cancer Trust, Teen Cancer America, Goldberg Kids Fund, World Wildlife Funds, Rural Aid Australia, Animals Australia, March of Dimes, Autism Speaks and the Boston Children’s Hospital.
The Hollywood Walk Of Fame is a celebration of art, entertainment, and all things Hollywood. Star ceremonies are broadcast worldwide, connecting fans with their favorite artists. The Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce administers the Walk Of Fame on behalf of the City Of Los Angeles. Honorees are selected by a committee of their peers. Sponsors fund the star, the ceremony and the maintenance of the legendary attraction. The Walk Of Fame is free to all.
Photo credit: Michael Muller