Nearly five months before they are set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Billy Idol and his guitarist Steve Stevens were inducted into the Hollywood Rockwalk on Tuesday (June 23) during a ceremony at Guitar Center’s flagship Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard.
The ceremony was hosted by legendary radio personality Richard Blade. Idol and Stevens commemorated the occasion with a handprint ceremony outside the store. They joined more than 150 artists and innovators who have been honored by the Rockwalk since its founding in 1985. Among them: Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Alanis Morissette, Black Sabbath, The Ramones, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
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“I’ve had a fantastic time with Steve, he’s made a lot of my crazy ideas come true,” Idol said at the event. “You can never really ask for anything more than that. It really is special and incredible, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s great to be honored together by Guitar Center on the Rockwalk.”
“It’s humbling to now be amongst this incredible group of musicians on Guitar Center’s Rockwalk,” Stevens added. “More than anything, this is a testament to over 45 years of great laughs, great songs that now belong to the world, and a great friendship.”
“Rockwalk exists to honor the artists who leave a lasting mark on music culture,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Billy Idol and Steve Stevens have inspired generations of musicians, created entirely new sounds, and Guitar Center has had the privilege of being part of that journey.”
The Hollywood Rockwalk hosted at least one induction ceremony in every year but one from 1985 to 2018 (they skipped 2009), but then went on hiatus, in part because of the pandemic but also because of shifting priorities at Guitar Center. The return began in 2014 with an induction ceremony for Gary Clark Jr.
Rockwalk was paused as Guitar Center’s business priorities shifted at the time. As part of the company’s transformation under Dalporto, it is re-investing in the programs and experiences that have long connected Guitar Center to artists and musicians.
Idol received a lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards on May 25, where he and Stevens performed three of his biggest hits, “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing With Myself.”
On Nov. 14, Idol and Stevens will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will be just the second time that a sideman has been inducted alongside a solo artist. Four years ago, Pat Benatar’s husband, guitarist and primary musical partner Neil Giraldo was included as part of her induction.
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