Nearly five months before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Billy Idol and his guitarist Steve Stevens were inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk on Tuesday (June 23) in a ceremony at Hollywood’s flagship Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard.
The ceremony was officiated by legendary radio personality Richard Braid. Idle and Stevens commemorated the occasion by signing hands outside the store. They join more than 150 artists and innovators who have been honored with RockWalk since its inception in 1985. These include Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Alanis Morissette, Black Sabbath, The Ramones, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
“I had a great time with Steve. He made a lot of my crazy ideas come true,” Idol said at the event. “You could never ask for anything more. It’s truly special and incredible and I’m enjoying every moment of it. It’s great to be honored together by Guitar Center at Rockwalk.”
“I’m humbled to be part of the amazing group of musicians who will be participating in Guitar Center’s RockWalk,” Stevens added. “Above all, this is a testament to over 45 years of great laughs, great songs that now belong to the world, and great friendships.”
“RockWalk exists to celebrate artists who have left a lasting mark on music culture,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Billy Idol and Steve Stevens have inspired generations of musicians and created entirely new sounds, and Guitar Center has had the privilege of being a part of that journey.”
Hollywood Rock Walk held at least one commencement ceremony every year from 1985 to 2018, with the exception of one in 2009, but the venue has since gone on hiatus, in part due to the pandemic and Guitar Center’s shifting priorities. The return began in 2014 with Gary Clark Jr.’s induction.
At that time, Rockwalk was put on pause as Guitar Center’s business priorities changed. As part of the company’s transformation under Dal Porto, it’s reinvesting in the programs and experiences that have long connected Guitar Center to artists and musicians.
Idol received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards on May 25, and performed three of his biggest hits with Stevens: “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself.”
On November 14, Idol and Stevens will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This is the second time a sideman has been inducted into the Hall of Fame along with a solo artist. Four years ago, Pat Benatar’s husband, guitarist and primary musical partner Neil Girard was also included as part of her induction.
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