WHO | HONOREE            Glen Ballard

EMCEE                                 Steve Nissen, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

GUEST SPEAKERS           Pop Group Wilson Phillips (Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson & Chynna Phillips) and Performer Roger Bart (Back to the Future: The Musical)

WHAT                                  Dedication of the 2,784th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

WHEN                                 Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11:30 AM PT

WHERE                                6253 Hollywood Boulevard

WATCH LIVE                   The event will be streamed live exclusively at walkoffame.com

Songwriter and producer Glen Ballard will be honored with the 2,784^th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, July 11, at 11:30 am PT at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard. Ballard will receive the star in the category of Recording. Joining emcee Steve Nissen will be Wilson Phillips and Roger Bart.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and worldwide have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.

ABOUT OUR HONOREE

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor songwriter and producer Glen Ballard with a star on the Walk of Fame,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “His exceptional talent has left a huge mark on the music industry,” added Martinez.

Six-time Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard is one of popular music’s most accomplished producers and songwriters whose records have sold more than one hundred and fifty million copies worldwide. In 2023, Ballard was selected to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Ballard produced and co-wrote Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, (33 million worldwide) and in 2019 a musical Jagged Little Pill featuring all the songs from the album debuted on Broadway.  Ballard has written and produced songs for Wilson Phillips, Dave Matthews, Christina Aguilera, George Strait, Josh Groban, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Shakira, Katy Perry, Van Halen, Chaka Khan, Andrea Bocelli, Ringo Starr, George Benson, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Idina Menzel, and many more.  His production credits include producing and arranging records for Annie Lennox, No Doubt and P.O.D. Key songs in the Ballard catalog include “Man in the Mirror” for Michael Jackson which he co-wrote and arranged, “You Oughta Know,” “Hold On,” “The Voice Within,” “The Space Between” and “Believe” for the feature film The Polar Express.

Through his Los Angeles-based production company, Augury, Ballard is developing a diverse slate of projects in which music plays a central role. His most recent television project is the Netflix Original series The Eddy, a music-driven multicultural drama that debuted in 2020 about a jazz band trying to survive in chaotic modern-day Paris. Ballard wrote and composed original songs and music for the limited series and served as an executive producer alongside Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle, BAFTA and Tony award-winning writer Jack Thorne, and Emmy-winning producer/director Alan Poul. Ballard wrote original lyrics and music for GHOST the Musical, which debuted in 2011 and has since been touring worldwide.

Ballard’s international production company, Augury is a producer of the stage adaptation of 1985’s Back to the Future, having worked on the project’s development for more than 14 years.  In collaboration with Grammy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated film composer Alan Silvestri, Ballard created original music and lyrics for the production, which includes 17 new songs and is directed by John Rando.  The show first opened in Manchester, UK at the Opera House in March 2020. Back to the Future: The Musical began its debut in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre.  The show was nominated for seven 2022 Olivier Awards, including Best Original Score, and won Best New Musical.  It is also the winner of four 2022 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical. Back to the Future: The Musical is now playing on Broadway where it opened in August 2023 at the Winter Garden Theatre, and continues its run there, in the West End, and on a US tour.

Ballard was born in Natchez, Mississippi.  He began writing songs and performing in local bands in Natchez in his early years and studied literature at Ole Miss before coming to Hollywood.  He worked for Elton John and later Quincy Jones in his first decade in Los Angeles, becoming a staff songwriter at Universal and later became one of music’s most sought-after producers/songwriters.

Ballard is a supporter of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Photo: Erik Melvin

WHO | HONOREE   The Late Jenni Rivera

EMCEE                       Entertainment news correspondent Jessica Maldonado

GUEST SPEAKERS  Singer Gloria Trevi.  Accepting the star will be the children of Jenni Rivera: Jacqie, Johnny, Chiquis, Jenicka, and Michael

WHAT                        Dedication of the 2,783rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

WHEN                        Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.

WHERE                      1750 N. Vine Street, in front of Capitol Records

WATCH LIVE            The event was streamed live exclusively at walkoffame.com

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored the late Jenni Rivera with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Rivera was honored with the 2,783rd star, in front of Capitol Records at 1750 N. Vine Street. Rivera’s star was dedicated in the category of Recording.  Joining emcee Jessica Maldonado as speaker was performer Gloria Trevi.  Accepting the star were Rivera’s children: Jacqie, Johnny, Chiquis, Jenicka, and Michael.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and worldwide have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.

ABOUT OUR HONOREE

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor the legendary Jenni Rivera with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” stated Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame Producer. “Jenni’s star represents not only her incredible achievements as an artist, but also her resilience, courage, and unwavering spirit that continue to inspire her fans around the world,” added Martinez.

Known worldwide as “La Diva de la Banda”, Jenni Rivera is an icon, singer-songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, Mexican music phenomenon, and mother, whose legacy in music lives on through the Jenni Rivera Estate led by her children.  Without a doubt, Jenni Rivera impacted, influenced, and inspired an entire generation of regional Mexican music and culture. She remains “one of the best-selling regional Mexican artists of all-time” with millions of records sold.

Born Dolores Janney “Jenni” Rivera Saavedra to immigrant parents in Long Beach, California, she gravitated towards music, launching her career in 1992. Getting real, her songs spoke on topics ranging from relationships to societal ills, resonating with fans worldwide. Throughout her career, she notably received the Premio Lo Nuestro for “Best Female Artist of Regional Mexican Music” 9 consecutive times (18 Premios Lo Nuestro in total), 2 Billboard Awards, 22 Billboard Latin Music Awards, and 4 Latin GRAMMY® nominations, among others. In 2008, the blockbuster album Jenni became her first #1 debut on the Billboard Top Latin Albums Chart. Her legendary catalog consists of multi-platinum #1 albums such as Parrandera, Rebelde y Atrevida; La Gran Señora; and Joyas Prestadas. She was also powered by hits like “Inolvidable”, and “Ya Lo Sé”.

In May 2013, after Rivera’s passing, the GRAMMY® Museum dedicated an exhibit to Jenni, enshrining her as “the first Latino artist with a dedicated exhibit at the museum.” The City of Long Beach opened the Jenni Rivera Memorial Park in 2016, and the Los Angeles City Council has deemed August 6 “Jenni Rivera Day.”

Eleven years after the eternal Diva de la Banda passed away, producers Sergio Lizárraga and Pavel Ocampo, released Rivera’s posthumous album Misión Cumplida, which includes eight unreleased songs that have achieved RIAA Gold Certification for sales in the United States. The song “Pedacito de Mí” hit the No. 1 spot on the Popular Radio Chart in Mexico, while the hit “El Que Hoy Está en Tu Lugar” ranked in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart for several consecutive weeks, reflecting the unwavering support of “La Diva de la Banda” fans. Thanks to the undisputed success of the album, Jenni Rivera’s Estate released the vinyl record of Misión Cumplida, which offered audiences a new experience to enjoy the music of the “Eternal Diva de la Banda”.

Recently, Rivera’s voice once again took the digital platforms by storm with the release of a new version for “Que Me Entierren Cantando” alongside her brother Lupillo Rivera. The song has a special meaning as it shows the immense talent and emotional bond shared between brother and sister.

Prior to the album launch, Jenni Rivera’s estate released several tracks that went viral and received multiple certifications. In 2019, they released “Aparentemente Bien”, which was certified platinum and trended at #1 in the United States. In 2020, “Engañémoslo” was certified gold, and in 2021, “Motivos” was released in two versions: Banda & Mariachi. Without a doubt, Rivera has left a lot of music for her fans to enjoy.

Rivera’s five children continue to carry on her legacy by managing and operating Rivera’s foundation for helping domestic abuse victims. Following the realization of her own experience as a domestic violence survivor, the family established the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation. The foundation provides services to single mothers and victims of both domestic and sexual abuse, continuing its mission of service today. In May 2016, the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation, in alliance with New Life Beginnings, inaugurated “Jenni’s Refuge”, a shelter for women and children in Long Beach, California.

Movies, tribute concerts, and documentaries will continue to commemorate Jenni’s legacy and extend it into a new era. Jenni’s spirit lives on forever in her art, and her work continues to change lives.

As Rivera’s estate prepares to release more commemorative projects, Jenni’s spirit continues to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide. Her indelible mark on music and culture ensures that her legacy will endure for generations to come.

WHO | HONOREE   Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

EMCEE                       Marc Malkin, Variety/Senior Editor, Culture & Events

GUEST SPEAKERS   Irving Azoff

WHAT                        Dedication of the 2,780th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

WHEN                        Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:30 AM PT

WHERE                      6150 Hollywood Boulevard

WATCH LIVE            The event was streamed live exclusively at walkoffame.com 

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons were honored today with the 2,780^th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard. The group was honored with a star in the category of Recording. Frankie Valli accepted the star on behalf of Bob Gaudio who was not able to attend and the late Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi.

Bob Gaudio sent a message accepting the honor and it read: “When I was a kid, playing in a band was a dream. Having a show on Broadway was a bigger dream and now, a star on Hollywood Boulevard! Come on! ‘Only in America’ is an understatement.  So, THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US REACH YOU WITH OUR MUSIC. And a personal note to my partner forever, Mr. Valli, for still doing the heavy lifting.” – BG

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and worldwide have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.

ABOUT OUR HONOREES

“In a career that has spanned more than six decades, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons have left an indelible mark on the music industry and have touched fans around the world with their timeless music,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Their legion of fans from around the world will be excited to see their names on our iconic sidewalk!” added Martinez.

The Four Seasons was formed in 1960 in Newark, New Jersey. Since 1970, they have been known as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. The lead singer is Valli, Bob Gaudio on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals.

The original Jersey boy, Frankie Valli, is a true American legend. His incredible career with The Four Seasons and his solo success has spawned countless hit singles, with unforgettable tunes like “Sherry”, “Walk Like A Man”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Rag Doll”, “December ’63 – Oh What A Night”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”, and of course “Grease”.

His songs have been omnipresent in other iconic movies such as “The Deer Hunter”, “Dirty Dancing”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, “Conspiracy Theory”, and “The Wanderers”. Over 200 artists have done cover versions of Frankie’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” from Nancy Wilson’s jazz treatment to Lauryn Hill’s hip-hop makeover.

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons have sold over 175 million records worldwide. Valli’s long-lasting career has led to the overwhelming success of the Broadway musical JERSEY BOYS. The musical chronicles Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ incredible career and features all of their greatest hits.

The JERSEY BOYS juggernaut has now been seen by over 18 million people worldwide, won 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical (2006), and is currently playing in New York, Las Vegas, London, in cities across the U.S. on a National Tour and The Netherlands, and will open soon in Korea. It is the 15th longest-running show in Broadway history, having given over 3,250 performances and recently passing “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Hello Dolly!”, “The Producers”, “Hairspray”, “My Fair Lady”, and “Oklahoma”.

In 2014, Frankie Valli’s life story was again featured in the film adaptation of JERSEY BOYS, directed by Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood. In Rob Reiner’s romantic comedy, “And So It Goes”, Valli also returned to acting. The film starred Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton and was released on July 18, 2014. Frankie recently appeared in this past season of “Hawaii 5-0”, and his mega-hit BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. On May 18, 2015, Dan Rather profiled the legend for his series, The Big Interview, and Valli also participated in the AMC series, “The Making of the Mob”.

In 2016, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons appeared on Broadway in a limited engagement from October 21 through October 29 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Frankie Valli released TIS THE SEASONS, a holiday album, on October 14, 2016, on Rhino. His first-ever foray into jazz, the meticulously crafted album titled ‘A Touch of Jazz’ was released on June 25, 2021, marking a bold departure from his familiar pop sound. Showcasing Valli’s unparalleled vocal range and emotive delivery, the album reimagines classic jazz standards with his own distinctive flair, earning widespread praise from critics and music aficionados alike. Despite this venture into uncharted territory, Valli remains as dynamic and captivating as ever, captivating audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances as he continues to tour extensively, ensuring that his timeless music resonates across generations and borders.

The charities that Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons participate in, include MusiCares and Broadway Cares.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored rocker Sammy Hagar with the 2,779th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, April 30, at 11:30 am PT at 6212 Hollywood Boulevard. Hagar received his star in the category of Recording. Speakers joining emcee Guy Fieri were John Mayer and Tom Consolo, Hagar’s longtime manager.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and worldwide have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.

ABOUT OUR HONOREE

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to honor rock legend Sammy Hagar for his contributions to the world of Rock & Roll music,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  “From his humble beginnings in Fontana, California to strolling the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a young boy, he has truly come a long way!” added Martinez.

For the last five decades, Sammy Hagar has been one of rock music’s most dynamic and prolific artists, amassing 25 Platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide. His decades-long career has spanned breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose and his multi-platinum solo career to Sammy’s ride as the frontman of Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and now his latest supergroup, The Circle. Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written, including “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and has earned himself the highest respect in the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sammy is also a dedicated philanthropist, a #1 New York Times best-selling author, and an auspicious entrepreneur.

Since launching his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 1990, Sammy has turned a lifelong passion for great food, music, and spirits into a thriving lifestyle brand encompassing successful restaurants, bars, spirits and retail. A pioneer in the spirits industry, Hagar made history with his creation and eventual sale of Cabo Wabo Tequila. His award-winning portfolio spirits now includes  Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with Rick Springfield, Santo Spirits, a partnership with Guy Fieri, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails and Red Rocker Brewing Co.

For decades, his annual birthday bash has been one of the year’s most legendary jam sessions for rockstars to perform at and coveted events for music fans to attend. There are now Cabo Wabo Cantinas in Las Vegas and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, plus four Sammy’s Beach Bar and Grill restaurants, which are located in the major airports of Maui, Honolulu, Cleveland and Las Vegas. In spring 2023, Sammy introduced Cabo Wabo Beach Club in Huntington Beach, California. Sammy donates his proceeds from Sammy’s Beach Bar and Grill and Cabo Wabo Beach Club to local charities.  On May 17, Sammy’s Island will launch at the Palms Casino Resort, a tropical pool getaway featuring delicious food, refreshing cocktails made with Hagar’s signature spirits, and live music performances.  The grand opening of Stage Red, a performance venue which has been renamed in his honor, opening on June 15. The theater, in Hagar’s hometown, will serve as a cornerstone for city leaders’ plans to create a regional draw in downtown Fontana, California.

Never one to hit the brakes, Sammy expanded his successes into publishing, television, radio and beyond. His three books include “Sammy Hagar’s Cocktail Hits: 85 Personal Favorites from the Red Rocker,” “Are We Having Any Fun Yet?,” and “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock,” his #1 New York Times best-selling memoir. On television, fans have watched him on season 11 of “The Voice,” where he was a mentor for Team Adam, and during five seasons of the hit series, “Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar.” He’s also the host of “Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown,” a weekly syndicated radio show broadcast to 90+ U.S. stations.

His debut album with The Circle, “Space Between,” entered the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at #4 on May 10, 2019, and debuted at #1 on four Billboard charts. Their second album, “Crazy Times,” dropped in September 2022, and debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s Top Album chart – their second top 10. The album was produced by 8-time Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and the band’s tour in support of the album earned universal praise from fans and critics alike.

This summer, Hagar and longtime bandmates Michael Anthony and Jason Bonham will join forces with guitar great, Joe Satriani, for the highly-anticipated The Best of All Worlds Tour. “It’s crazy to think that it’ll be 20 years since Mikey and I played many of these songs with Van Halen on the 04’ Best of Both Worlds Tour,” said Hagar. “With Joe on board, we can take a deeper dive into those years which will be really cool for the fans, and us.” Collectively, Anthony, Satriani and Bonham have played together in nearly every phase of Hagar’s career including Van Halen, Chickenfoot and The Circle, so fans can expect a setlist which draws from some of the biggest rock anthems of the last four decades including, “Finish What Ya Started,” “5150,” “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy,” “Best of Both Worlds,” “Sexy Little Thing,” “One Way To Rock,” “Right Now,” “Eagles Fly” and more.

In 2021, Sammy was the first person to be awarded the accreditation of Honorary Ambassador of Los Cabos, Mexico, for his contribution to the development and promotion of Los Cabos and the economic growth of México.

Sammy’s humble beginnings instilled in him an unstoppable work ethic that’s been the driving force behind his rise to the top as a musician and entrepreneur – and continues to fuel his dedication as a philanthropist. “It’s where all my drive comes from,” Sammy explains. “I was willing to work hard to ensure I was never poor again. Even now, I can still go to that place and remember that feeling, but now it drives me to want to give back and to show kids that if you work hard, there’s going to be an open door out.” Sammy and his wife Kari created the Hagar Family Foundation in 2008 and have personally donated more than $4 million back to local communities, including giving to food banks in every city he’s performed in for more than a decade.  In 2014 he also founded “Acoustic-4-A-Cure,” an annual Bay Area concert benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF’s Benioff Children’s Hospital, that’s featured performances by some of the biggest names in music. In recent years, he’s also become an in-demand speaker alongside new friends like Warren Buffett, but his favorite role remains being a great husband, father, and grandfather.

Website: http://www.redrocker.com

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PHOTO CREDIT-LEAH STEIGER