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Los Angeles Life and Style

BILLY IDOL TO BE HONORED WITH FIRST HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR OF 2023.

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Rock icon Billy Idol will be honored with the 2,743rd on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star, the first of the new year, will be dedicated at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Music. Idol will be awarded his star in the category of Recording.

BILLY IDOL TO BE HONORED WITH FIRST HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR OF 2023.

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.

ABOUT OUR HONOREE

“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.

Billy 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, Billy Idol’s latest two four-song EPs released in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Both EPs will be instantly familiar to lovers of classic Billy Idol, while announcing a firm step into the future full of color, power, atmosphere, attitude, and mystery.

And on both new releases Billy Idol 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.

Billy Idol, together with his band featuring Steve Stevens, have consistently toured the World for the past two decades, headlining theatres and arenas and performing at major festivals all over the world.

Billy 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.

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER’S WALK OF FAME

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. To learn more and find your favorite stars, visit walkoffame.com.

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (HCC)

Since 1921, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (HCC) has transformed businesses and improved lives. With more than 750 members, the Chamber is the largest business organization in Hollywood and serves as a place for our diverse membership to connect, grow and make an impact. The HCC is the proud steward of two global icons: the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign. Held in the public trust, the HCC strengthens and promotes business through connecting, coaching, advocating, and innovating. To make a difference, connect with us at hollywoodchamber.net.

Los Angeles Life and Style

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME CLASS OF 2023 ANNOUNCED BY WALK OF FAME CHAIR ELLEN K. Ralph Macchio, The Jonas Brothers, Marc Anthony and Blake Shelton among the 24 stars selected.

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Hollywood, Calif. June 17, 2022 —A new group of entertainment professionals in the categories of Motion Pictures, Television, Live Theatre/Live Performance, and Recording have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Selection Panel of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

These honorees were chosen from among hundreds of nominations and ratified by the Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors on June 15, 2022.  Ellen K, Chair of the Walk of Fame Selection Panel and Radio personality, announced the new honorees on www.walkoffame.com.

The new selections were revealed to the world on www.walkoffame.com on Friday, June 17, 2022.“The Walk of Fame Selection Panel is pleased to announce 24 new honorees to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Selection Panel, made up of fellow Walk of Famers, hand-picks a group of honorees each year that represent various genres of the entertainment world,” said Chair and Walk of Famer Ellen K, “The panel thoughtfully selected these talented individuals, and we can’t wait to celebrate them as they become part of Hollywood’s history with the unveiling of their star on the world’s most famous walkway!” Ellen K added.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2023 are:

In the category of MOTION PICTURES: Ludacris, Bill Pullman, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, John Waters, Juanita Moore (Posthumous), and Paul Walker (Posthumous)

In the category of TELEVISION: Jon Favreau, Mindy Kaling, Martin Lawrence, Ralph Macchio, Garrett Morris, and Ellen Pompeo.

In the category of RECORDING: Marc Anthony, Irving Azoff, Sheila E, Jonas Brothers, Lenny Kravitz, Blake Shelton, Charlie Wilson, and Jenni Rivera (posthumous)

In the category of LIVE THEATRE/LIVE PERFORMANCE: Lang Lang, Melba Moore, and PentatonixThe Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and its Walk of Fame Selection Panel congratulate all the honorees. Dates have not been scheduled for these star ceremonies. Recipients have two years to schedule star ceremonies from the date of selection before they expire.

Upcoming star ceremonies are announced ten days before dedication on the official website www.walkoffame.com.

Music Legends

Music legend Paul McCartney to be honored with his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in celebration of new release, ‘Kisses on the Bottom’

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PaulMcCartney.com is very pleased to announce that Paul will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Feb. 9, 2012.

Los Angeles Life and Style News

Hollywood, Calif. – Continuing with Hollywood’s 125th birthday celebration, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that music legend Paul McCartney will be honored with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. McCartney’s star will be lined up on the famed walk alongside his fellow Beatles, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon in front of the famed historic Capitol Records building located at 1750 N. Vine Street.

The event coincides with McCartney’s forthcoming release of Kisses on the Bottom. A concert will stream live on Thursday from Capitol Studios.

Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool on June 18, 1942. He was raised in the city and educated at the Liverpool Institute. Having changed the world of music forever with The Beatles, McCartney has continued to push boundaries for more than 40 years as a solo artist, member of Wings, Brit award-winning classical composer, half of the experimental project The Fireman, and composer for the New York City Ballet with last year’s classical work Ocean’s Kingdom. His newest adventure is Kisses On The Bottom (out February 7 on Hear Music/Concord),a collection of standards beloved to Paul since childhood as well as two new McCartney compositions ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts.’ Created with the help of Grammy Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall and her band—as well as guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder—Kisses On The Bottom is the first record in McCartney’s historic oeuvre to feature him almost exclusively on vocals.

Since writing his first song at the age of 14, McCartney has always followed his own unique muse while changing the course of musical history. It’s borderline ludicrous to attempt to describe the past, present and future impact of The Beatles and their legendary albums Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, Beatles For Sale, Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles (a/k/a The White Album), Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road and Let It Be—so suffice to say that The Beatles’ 1 compilation was the biggest selling album of the first new millennial decade of 2000-2010.

Paul’s output through the ‘70s to the present has been one of unflagging energy and influence, debuting as a solo artist with 1970’s timeless McCartney followed by 1971’s rustic classic RAM by Paul and Linda McCartney,then with Wings efforts including the currently Grammy-nominated Band On The Run, Venus and Mars, Wings at The Speed Of Sound and London Town, and following that as a solo artist again, with highlights including the ahead-of-its-time 1980 reinvention McCartney II, 1982’s Tug Of War, 1989’s Flowers In The Dirt, 1997’s Flaming Pie, 2005’s Chaos And Creation In The Backyard and 2007’s Memory Almost Full. In 2008, The Fireman, his collaborative project with revered producer Youth, released Electric Arguments, which generated rave reviews, yielded a live favorite of the current McCartney set list in ‘Sing The Changes,’ and topped the Billboard Independent Album Charts.

A 14-time Grammy winner and recipient of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Awards, McCartney’s list of accolades reads like no other: 2012 will see Paul adding MusiCares Person of the Year to this unrivalled list when this special award is presented to him on February 10. It will recognize both his incomparable creative achievements and his lifelong commitment to charitable work, which includes decades’ worth of philanthropic activities for PETA, LIPA, One Voice, The Vegetarian Society, Nordoff Robins and Adopt-A-Mine-Field—not to mention his participation in historic benefit concerts including Live Aid in 1985, The Concert for New York City in 2001, and Live 8 in 2005.

McCartney’s many other citations have included the 2008 Brit award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, an honorary doctorate of music from Yale University, his 1999 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and of course being knighted in in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music. He is the first-ever British recipient of the prestigious Gershwin Prize For Popular Song. He is also a Kennedy Center Honoree. 2012 and, as ever, brings an infinite set of new possibilities for Paul McCartney. If any new musical frontier awaits—be it an entirely new musical medium or genre, a city or song he’s never played before, or something the cleverest among us has yet to imagine–rest assured Paul is already on his way there… www.paulmccartney.com For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

Hollywood Legends, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood's beloved Honorary Mayor, Hollywood's Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant, Johnny Grant, Mickey Rooney, USO Shows

Remembering Johnny Grant, Hollywood’s beloved Honorary Mayor

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The last time I saw Johnny: Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Summer of 2007. Photo by Margie Anne Clark

 

By Margie Anne Clark

Hollywood, Calif. – Born May 9, 1923, Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant is perhaps best remembered as one of Hollywood’s most enthusiastic supporters for more than 50 years. On Jan. 9, 2012, Hollywood marked the fourth anniversary of Grant’s passing with a wreath on his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

His legacy of service lives on and the honorary mayor remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons. With his signature deep radio voice and affable charm,  Grant arrived in Tinseltown as a young man during Hollywood’s Golden Era of the 1940s.

“I was inspired by Mickey Rooney and the boys when I came out to Hollywood as a G.I.,” Grant told me in 2003 on his 80th birthday. “I knew I was never going to live anywhere else but here,” Grant reminisced.

Always hands on with all of his projects, Grant went on to serve as Chairman of the USO Selection Committee and the Hollywood Historic Trust. He not only created what was to become part of Hollywood’s history, but had been a long-time supporter for preserving Cinema City’s past. To that end, Grant was appointed to a four-year term on the City of Los Angeles’ Cultural Heritage Commission.

The last time I saw Johnny: Margie Anne Clark pictured with Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Summer of 2007.

When spectacular Hollywood special events were presented, more often than not Johnny Grant could be found at the helm.  He served as chairman and executive producer of the Hollywood Centennial Celebration, orchestrating Hollywood’s year-long 100th birthday extravaganza. He added his special charm and touch to many a Hollywood Christmas Parade, helping to direct festivities and recruiting stars. During the 2004 parade, he brought me on board as a volunteer and I observed Hollywood’s honorary mayor at work driving himself on his speedy golf cart making sure everything would be on cue.

“You carefully pick your projects and give them all you’ve got,” Grant told me. “I think you’ve got to enjoy what you do, and I certainly do.”

His dedication to the USO was legendary. In service to his country, Grant holds the record for having appeared in 56 USO shows – more than anyone in Hollywood history. Grant embraced the USO from the very start when he made his first appearance in 1950 at the encouragement of his good friend Bob Hope, who marked his  his 100th birthday back on May 29, 2003.  Grant toured with Hope on numerous USO tours. Of his iconic colleague Grant said, “Bob always saw the positive side of things.”

During Hope’s 100th birthday celebration Grant reminisced, “That ski nose was more than just a prop and he could sniff out more information on the goings-on at camp upon first arriving. He always hit it right on the nose.”

Of his last USO tour to Guantánamo Bay in 2007, Grant remained a dedicated as ever. He toured the facility flanked by an entourage of beautiful Victoria Secret models – his quick sense of humor ever in place. “It’s a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it,” Grant said.

In the last days of his life, the legendary luminary of the stars reflected, “I was born to live in Hollywood.”  He later was noted as saying; “If I died tomorrow, I know I had one of the best lives anyone could ever imagine…”

Thank you Johnny, for living your life to the fullest. Hollywood salutes you!

 

Margie Anne Clark is a Los Angeles based writer. She can be reached at  margie@losangeleslifeandstyle.com 

 

 

 

 

The last time I saw Johnny: Entertainment reporter Margie Anne Clark pictured with Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Summer of 2007.
Hollywood, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Legends and Memories, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame's 50th anniversary, Hollywood's Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant, Mickey Rooney

HOLLYWOOD’S WALK OF FAME CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY AMID A ‘CONSTELLATION OF STARS’: GALA, TIME CAPSULE, WRAPS YEAR LONG CELEBRATION. Hollywood Legend, Mickey Rooney on hand to kick off festivities.

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By Margie Anne Clark

Hollywood, Calif. – Hollywood luminaries lit up Tinseltown Wednesday during an evening that celebrated the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s 50th anniversary – culminating a year long celebration of Hollywood’s legacy as the Entertainment Capitol of the world. This reporter enjoyed catching up with friends while enjoy the star-gazing fun of the evening.

Mickey Rooney and his wife Jan address a crowd of fans during the Hollywood Chamber’s 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood and Highland. Photo by Margie Anne Clark/Los Angeles Life and Style

Memories of the storied Hollywood Boulevard were brought vividly to life by stars whose careers spanned the Golden Era of Hollywood. Mickey Rooney and his wife Jan address a crowd of fans during the Hollywood Chamber’s 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood and Highland.  Among the celebrity guest speakers was Mickey Rooney, an iconic actor with more than 350 film credits to his name, and four stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Mickey Rooney and his wife Jan salute guests after being introduced to the crowd during the festivities inside the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom. Photo by Margie Anne Clark/Los Angeles Life and Style

Rooney, a World War II veteran, flanked by his wife Jan at the podium, lauded the Hollywood community for its outstanding achievements in film and television, while giving a nod to U.S. veterans and soldiers. Rooney and his wife salute guests after being introduced to the crowd during the festivities inside the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom.

Barbara Eden, of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ fame was among the luminaries who attended the gala. Photos by Margie Anne Clark /Los Angeles Life and Style

Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart touched on her 30 year career during the cocktail portion of the evening after being introduced by her ET co-host Mark Steines. Mary Hart, host of Entertainment Tonight addresses guests.

Mark Steines introduces Hollywood’s iconic celebrities. Photo by Margie Anne Clark/Los Angeles Life and Style

Mark Steines took to the stage introduced Hollywood’s iconic celebrities.

Barbara Eden and David Hasselhoff were among the luminaries who attended the gala.

David Hasselhoff of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Knight Rider’ fame was among the luminaries who attended the gala. Photos by Margie Anne Clark /Los Angeles Life and Style

Throughout the evening, celebrities and dignitaries alike, bestowed praise upon Hollywood’s honorary Mayor, the late great and one and only, Johnny Grant, whose work and enthusiasm for all that is Hollwyood was instrumental in the creation of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. The evening of dining, entertainment and celebration recognized all Walk of Fame Star honorees and raised funds for the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The Chamber honored all those who have received stars on the Walk of Fame and invited all who had received their stars to participate this historic event which included the unveiling of a plaque beneath which lies a time capsule which is slated to be opened in the year 2060. A sumptuous fare of dinner was provided by Wolf Gang Puck. Presenting Sponsor for the event was Loreal Paris and the media sponsor of the evening was Entertainment Tonight. http://www.loreal.com/dispatch.aspx? http://www.etonline.com/ http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/ http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/

Hollywood

ACTOR MARK WAHLBERG HONORED WITH 2,414TH STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME-HONOR COINCIDES WITH THE RELEASE OF “THE OTHER GUYS”

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By Margie Anne Clark

“Let’s keep the energy going for Mark Wahlberg,” an easygoing Will Ferrall exclaimed to the crowd of fans as he joked and gave a hilarious, irreverent and everyman speech, declaring Wahlberg “a great family man and a great dude.” Emcee Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Leron Gubler was also on hand to introduce Mark Wahlberg who was presented with a star in the motion picture category.The star ceremony coincided with the release of Sony Pictures’ action-comedy “The Other Guys,” in which Wahlberg stars opposite Ferrell.

The film depicts Ferrell as Detective Allen Gamble and Walhberg as Detective Terry Hoitz. They’re not heroes – they’re “the Other Guys.” But every cop has his or her day and soon Gamble and Hoitz stumble into a seemingly innocuous case no other detective wants to touch that could turn into New York City’s biggest crime. The film opens nationwide on Friday.

Mark Wahlberg posed with his wife Rhea Durham and children, left, Ella, Grace, Michael and Brendan, as he is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk on July 29.

Born Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg, the actor was the youngest of Alma & Donald Wahlberg’s nine children, was born June 5, 1971 in Dorchester, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts.

Wahlberg’s remarkable film career began with Penny Marshall’s Renaissance Man and The Basketball Diaries with Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by a star turn opposite Reese Witherspoon in the thriller Fear. He has enjoyed playing diverse characters for visionary filmmakers such as David O. Russell, Tim Burton and Paul Thomas Anderson. His breakout role in Boogie Nights established Wahlberg as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. He later headlined Three Kings and The Perfect Storm with George Clooney and The Italian Job with Charlize Theron. He then starred in the football biography Invincible with Greg Kinnear, and in Shooter, based on the best-selling novel Point of Impact. He reunited with The Yards director James Gray and co-star Joaquin Phoenix in We Own the Night, which he also produced. In 2008, he starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening and also in Max Payne.

Wahlberg earned Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations for his standout performance in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed drama The Departed.

He appeared recently in director Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lovely Bones and in a cameo role in the comedy Date Night. Later this year, he will star in The Fighter for director David O. Russell.

Wahlberg is also executive producer of the HBO series “Entourage,” “In Treatment,” and “How to Make It in America,” for which he has received six Golden Globe and three Emmy nominations. “Boardwalk Empire,” his next producing project with Martin Scorsese, will premiere on HBO this fall.

A committed philanthropist, in 2001 he founded the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation which benefits inner-city youth.

Hollywood, Hollywood Legends, Hollywood Legends and Memories, Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, International Entertainment News, LA Music Scene, Louis Prima, Louis Prima Jr., Musical Artists

LATE KING OF SWING LOUIS PRIMA HONORED ON HOLLYWOOD’S WALK OF FAME’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY STREET FESTIVAL

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LATE KING OF SWING LOUIS PRIMA HONORED ON HOLLYWOOD’S WALK OF FAME’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY STREET FESTIVAL – JULY 26, 2010

By Margie Anne Clark
Hollywood, Calif. – Louis Prima must have been smiling in heaven as his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled Sunday, on what would have been the iconic King of Swing’s 100th birthday.

Set amidst the bustling backdrop of the Ricardo Montalban Theater on Hollywood and Vine, the unabashed spirit of Prima shook the pavement as the late jazz singer’s son, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses – and the lovely Sarah Spiegel dazzled the crowd with such familiar ballads as “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” “Buona Sera, Zooma-Zooma,” “Jump,Jive And Wail.” Prima’s children, Louis Prima Jr. and Lena Prima accepted the Star on behalf of their legendary father.

The late Prima’s centennial star unveiling coincided with the day-long “Walk the Walk” Community Festival in Hollywood Honoring the Hollywood Walk Of Fame’s 50th Anniversary.

Louis Prima remains one of the greatest contributors to popular music and a powerful entertainment influence during the past eight decades.

Pictured above, Louis Prima Jr. poses by his father’s star and trumpet on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star unveiling was held in conjunction with the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s 50th anniversary and in commemoration of what would have been Louis Prima’s 100th birthday.  (Photo by Margie Anne Clark, Los Angeles Life and Style/City Life Communications.)

A new era of music began when Louis left his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana and launched his recording career in 1933 in Chicago with upbeat renditions of Dinah and Chinatown. He defined the early Swing Era in New York and Hollywood with his New Orleans Gang and had an incredible output of recordings and appearances in films and on stage between 1934-39.

The Prima recordings of It’s The Rhythm In Me, Lazy River, and his own immortal composition Sing, Sing, Sing (also a Benny Goodman hit) had legions of fans swing dancing from The Famous Door on 52nd Street in New York to the hottest spots in Hollywood. The swing trend escalated and grew thanks to Prima’s driving force. His music skyrocketed in popularity, eventually surpassing the sales of the number one band at the time, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians. Louis and his twenty-two piece orchestra scored a tremendous hit in 1944 with a million-seller entitled Angelina.

He topped the charts throughout the Big Band Era with Majestic, Hit, RCA, and Robin Hood label recordings of Robin Hood, I’ll Walk Alone, Josephina, Please No Squeeza Da Banana, Baciagaloop, Felicia No Capicia, Civilization, Oh Babe, and many others.

The King of Swing made entertainment history during this time, breaking all house attendance records wherever he performed across the nation.

During the golden age of jazz, Prima composed A Sunday Kind of Love in 1946, and the song became a hit during four decades and six different musical genres including Swing, Doo-Wop, Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, and Country! The song would appear on the charts for many other prominent artists who also recorded this Prima standard.

With his musical comedic flair, Prima was one of the founding fathers of the Las Vegas entertainment scene. He downsized his big band in 1954, and created a small group that he named The Witnesses. Prima’s shuffle beat, combined with New Orleans Jazz, was a predecessor to what became the Rock & Roll sound of the 1950s.

The string of hits on Capitol Records that followed included ‘Just a Gigolo,/I Ain’t Got Nobody, ‘Buona Sera, Zooma-Zooma, Jump,Jive, And Wail, When You’re Smiling,’ and many others. Louis was also awarded the first Grammy award in the Vocal Group category for his knockout rendition of ‘That Old Black Magic’ with Keely Smith and Sam Butera & The Witnesses in 1958.

In 1963, he fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams: Prima Magnagroove Records, his own recording studio and record company. He would record for his Prima Label from 1963 through 1975.

During his five decade career, Louis Prima recorded almost one thousand individual recordings released on 26 different labels.

Louis provided the voice of King Louie in the award-winning Disney production of The Jungle Book in 1966.The film was nominated for an Oscar, and Louis received a gold album for the soundtrack recording.

Louis Prima continued to break attendance records at The Sahara Hotel, The Sands Hotel, The Hilton and Tropicana Hotels in Las Vegas, Harrah’s Reno and Lake Tahoe, The Copacabana in New York, and prominent venues throughout the country during the 1960s and 1970s.

He also appeared constantly on every mainstream television show including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, The Joey Bishop Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Dean Martin Show, The David Frost Show, and many others. His final musical projects were uncompleted score and dialogue sessions for the Disney film The Rescuers.

The diagnosis of a benign brain tumor in late 1975 promptly halted his very active recording and performance schedules. The surgery that followed would send Louis into a semi-comatose state until his death in 1978.

His legend and music live on in full force. Louis’ award winning composition Sing, Sing, Sing was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1982. ASCAP posthumously awarded Louis their prestigious Songwriter’s Award for A Sunday Kind Of Love in 1989. Artists as diverse as David Lee Roth, Reba McEntire and Brian Setzer would bring Prima’s music to the top of the charts in the 80s and 90s.

In 1998 The Gap stores brought Louis to the attention of a new generation with their television commercial featuring a song that Louis wrote and recorded entitled ‘Jump, Jive an’ Wail.’

Popular modern performers such as Jessica Simpson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Royal Crown Revue and many others have constantly covered Louis’ music.

His ground-breaking Capitol album, The Wildest, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The Louis Prima Capitol Collectors Series compilation CD was certified gold by the RIAA and his Live From Las Vegas CD landed on the Billboard Top Jazz Album chart in 2005.

The Louis Prima Centennial Celebration is underway throughout the year of 2010 for the millions of Prima fans at special events spanning the globe, on radio stations around the world, and online.

This landmark year also brings several special honors recognizing Louis Prima for his many entertainment contributions along with his music featured in the 2010 Olympics, in several major motion pictures, television shows, commercials and video games!

Special commemorative editions of the classic and exclusive Prima Label recordings by Louis Prima now available on remastered compact discs at www.LouisPrima.com. Louis Prima, Jr. and Lena Prima continue to perpetuate their father’s grand tradition of exhilarating live performances, thrilling standing-room-only audiences from coast to coast.

For more information about Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses visit:http://louisprimajr.com/review/late-king-of-swing-louis-prima-honored-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame/
For information on the “Walk the Walk” festival and other 50th Anniversary celebrations visit www.WalkofFame50.com.

http://louisprimajr.com/review/late-king-of-swing-louis-prima-honored-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame/