25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Recording Permalink

Boyz II Men

October 25, 2019

 

 BOYZ II MEN Honored with the first Star of the Year on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Star placed near legendary Motown artists The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Miracles and The Temptations

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Boyz II Men with the first star of the New Year on January 5, 2012 at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The Live Nation Building. Emcee Leron Gubler, President/CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, guest speakers Kenny Baby Face Edmonds and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis helped Boyz II Men unveil the 2,456th Star in the category of Recording 

A truly iconic band, Boyz II Men redefined R&B and revolutionized the genre. Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, the band has penned and performed some of the most celebrated songs and timeless classics of the past two decades. The group’s four Grammy Awards are just the tip of the iceberg: throughout their 20-year career, Boyz II Men has also won a whopping nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards, and three Billboard Awards.

This iconic group has earned the honor of being the best-selling R&B group of all time, with an astounding 60 million albums sold. And the reason is abundantly clear: for the past two decades Boyz II Men has given fans a catalogue of iconic hits brimming with rich, smooth harmonies and the kind of resonant themes that appeal across generations. And for Boyz II Men the hits just keep on coming—the group continues to craft new albums and bring their legendary act to stages across the world.

Boyz II Men’s most recent albums have earned them major critical acclaim. Their Decca label debut, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA (Decca/Universal), on November 13, 2007 earned them two Grammy Nominations. This collection of Detroit soul classics took the music scene by storm: Motown rose to No. 27 on the Billboard Top 200 and to No. 6 on the trade’s R&B Albums chart. The album earned two Grammy Award nomina­tions, for “Best R&B Album” and “Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals” (for the Stevie Wonder cover “Ribbons In The Sky”) and sparked the release of Boyz II Men’s first full-length live concert DVD, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA – Live (Decca/Universal, released 12/9/07).

They followed up the success of Motown with their latest album, Love. Released November 17, 2009 on Decca, Love is a collection of timeless songs from the heart, one that spans multiple genres and generations. Working once again with Motown producer Randy Jackson, Boyz II Menbring their distinctive individual voices and peerless harmonies to bear on songs made famous by Bonnie Raitt, The Manhattans, Journey, The Spinners, Sam Cooke, Cyndi Lauper, and the Beatles.  

Boyz II Men marked their 20th anniversary by releasing a landmark album, fittingly titled Twenty. The album contains the group’s first original material in nearly a decade as well as a dozen remasetered classic, career-defining hits. Twenty debuted at #20 ON THE Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, #4 on the Billboard R&B album chart, #10 on the Billboard Digital Album Chart, and placed #1 on the iTunes R&B  Soul Album chart. Twenty’s first single, "More Than You'll Ever Know" cracked into the top 15 on Urban AC charts and is still climbing.

Boyz II Men’s past hits include: End of the Road, I’ll Make Love to You, One Sweet Day,  Motownphilly and many others.  

Boyz II Men has won fans the world over with their soulful multi-octave sound and incredible vocals. Given the monumental success of their albums and the timeless quality of their vocals, it’s easy to see why Boyz II  Men remains the most popular R&B group of all time. Ask any successful pop or R&B superstar which artists have inspired them- chances are Boyz II Men will be spotlighted. From Justin Timberlake and Usher to Justin Bieber and Beyonce, the most successful stars in the industry look to Boyz II Men as their idols.  

The group has its own philanthropic organization called Boyz II Men House which lends support to individuals and organizations that focus on improving quality of life and helping to unlock human potential, while contributing to the health and vitality of those less fortunate.

On a final note, Boyz II Men has  made R&B accessible to the masses and helped the genre come into its own—and fans throughout the world still flock to see them perform at sold out shows.

The band continues to tour across the country and around the globe, performing a mix of their latest tracks and treasured classics.  And with Boyz II Men receiving the first star of 2012 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it appears that 2012 is already shaping up to be another busy year for the Boyz.

 

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For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Television Permalink

Matt Groening

October 25, 2019

Matt Groening Celebrates 500th Episode Of “The Simpsons” with
Star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Matt Groening with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2012 just steps away from his character’s The Simpsons star at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. As a special treat for the media, Doh’nuts, Homer’s favorite snack were served. Emcee Leron Gubler, President/CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and guest speakers Hank Azaria (voice of Moe, Chief Wiggum and others), Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), and Yeardley Smith (voice of Lisa Simpson) helped unveil the 2,461st Star in the Category of Television.

Matt Groening was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 15, the third of five children.  His father, Homer, was a cartoonist and filmmaker.  From an early age, Matt created his own cartoons, amusing his friends and annoying his teachers.  Groening attended Evergreen State College in Washington State, where he studied philosophy and continued his interest in cartoons, comics and music.

After his graduation in 1977, Groening headed to Los Angeles where he struggled in immobilizing but irksome poverty.  Increasingly frustrated by the traffic, smog, and his landlords, Matt began to vent his angst to his friends by sending them cartoons starring a bug-eyed rabbit named Binky.  Groening soon began to publish and sell these cartoons at the record shop where he worked.  Their popularity encouraged Matt to syndicate, and in April 1980, Life In Hell® formally debuted in the Los Angeles Reader.  He formed Acme Features Syndicate, which today circulates Life in Hell® to more than 250 newspapers around the world in a half-dozen languages.

Life in Hell® has also been collected in a best-selling series of books with more than two million copies in print, including Love is Hell, Work is Hell, School is Hell, Childhood is Hell, Akbar & Jeff’s Guide to Life, Greetings From Hell, The Big Book of Hell, With Love From Hell, How to Go to Hell, The Road to Hell, Binky’s Guide to Love, and Love is Still Hell. (That is a hell of a lot of books!)

In 1987 James L. Brooks approached Matt about creating animated shorts to fit between sketches of “The Tracey Ullman Show.”  Matt agreed, but instead of using the Life in Hell® characters, he created an entirely new cast:  The Simpsons, which bear the names of his family members, Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie (Bart is an anagram for brat).

The Simpsons were soon spun off into a half-hour animated series which first aired on December 17, 1989 with a Christmas special, followed by the series premiere on January 14, 1990.  It has since gone on to become the longest-running scripted show in television history.  An international hit, the series has also spawned a licensing and merchandising empire.  THE SIMPSONS celebrate its 500th episode on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 8PM ET/PT on FOX and fans can enjoy more from THE SIMPSONS with never-before-seen footage and extras on Blu-ray and DVD.  

Groening has forever left an indelible mark on society.   Voted the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine, the series has left a path of catch-phrases (Homer’s “D’oh!” and Bart’s “Eat my shorts”) and societal commentary. It has also given birth to a theme park ride and United States postage stamps, personally designed by Groening. He served as producer and writer during the four-year process of the long-awaited hit feature film The Simpsons Movie, released in July 2007.  

For more information and to view who shares a star with Matt Groening on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction. The Walk of Fame is open to the public. No paid admission or assigned seating at star ceremonies.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

 

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures Permalink

Jennifer Aniston

October 25, 2019

 

 

Jennifer Aniston Honored with Star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Jennifer Aniston with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 22, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the W Hollywood Hotel at the famous corner of Hollywood and Vine. Emcee Leron Gubler, President & CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce along with guest speakers Adam Sandler, Malin Ackerman and Kathryn Hahn helped Aniston unveil the 2,462nd star in the category of Motion Pictures.

Jennifer Anistonwas born in Sherman Oaks, California. Her family moved to New York City when her father was cast in a role on the daytime drama “Love ofLife.” As an eleven-year-old student at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City, shejoined the drama club and her experience there encouraged her to pursue acting as acareer. She then studied further at New York’s High School of the Performing Arts.  After she graduated in 1987, she landed roles in the off-Broadway production For Dear Life, at New York’s Public Theater, and Dancing on Checker’s Grave.

Aniston’s television career then started after being cast as a series regular on “Molloy” and “The Edge.” She had guest-starring roles on “Quantum Leap” and “Burke’s Law” and a starring role in “Ferris Bueller.” She was then cast in perhaps her most well-known role as Rachel Green in the classic television comedy “Friends.” For her role as Rachel, she received five Emmy nominations, two SAG Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. She won an Emmy (2002) and a Golden Globe (2003) for Lead Actress in a Comedy. The generosity of her fans led to her winning five People’s Choice Awards.

During hiatus from “Friends,” Aniston pursued a budding film career. She had roles in THEN THERE WAS YOU, PICTURE PERFECT, DREAMS FOR AN INSOMNIAC, SHE’S THE ONE, ROCK STAR and THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION — the first of her roles with Paul Rudd — and BRUCE ALMIGHTY with Jim Carrey. One of her most critically-acclaimed roles was 2002’s THE GOOD GIRL with Jake Gyllenhaal, for which Aniston received an Independent Spirit Award nomination.    

With the emotional end of “Friends” and her time as Rachel Green, Aniston devoted herself full-time to her movie career. She had starring roles in RUMOR HAS IT with Kevin Costner and Shirley Maclaine, DERAILED with Clive Owen and the box-office hit THE BREAK-UP with Vince Vaughn. For her role as a depressed housekeeper in director Nicole Holofcener’s FRIENDS WITH MONEY, the independent film which also starred Frances McDormand and Catherine Keener, Aniston received some of the best reviews of her career.

Proving her ability to navigate the world of both independent and studio-financed films, Aniston also co-starred in the box-office hits in the emotionally-moving MARLEY & ME with Owen Wilson and HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU.  She also starred alongside leading men Gerard Butler in THE BOUNTY HUNTER and Aaron Eckhart in LOVE HAPPENS.  Adam Sandler played her leading man in the comedy hit JUST GO WITH IT.  After co-starring in THE SWITCH, her first film with Jason Bateman, Aniston and Bateman costarred in the box-office hit HORRIBLE BOSSES, which also starred Jason Sudeikis and Colin Farrell, and in which Aniston played a sexually insatiable dentist. On February 24, she will be seen opposite Paul Rudd in WANDERLUST, the new comedy from director David Wain and producer Judd Apatow, which will be released nationwide by Universal Pictures.

Aniston has also pursued her interest in directing. Her first film was the short “Room 10,” which was part of an award-winning short film series. She most recently directed one of an anthology of five short films, “Five,” which explores the impact of breast cancer on people’s lives and for which she received a DGA Award nomination.

Over the years, Aniston has been involved with numerous charitable organizations, including: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Lili Claire Foundation, AmeriCares, GLAAD, Project A.L.S., the U.S. Campaign for Burma, Stand Up To Cancer and many others.

For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

 

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ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction. The Walk of Fame is open to the public. No paid admission or assigned seating at star ceremonies.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

25 Oct 2019
Radio, Recording Permalink

Paul McCartney

October 25, 2019

Music Legend Paul McCartney Honored with
Star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Continuing with Hollywood’s 125th birthday celebration, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly announced on February 1, 2012 that music legend Paul McCartney would be honored with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 2pm. The circle is now complete, McCartney’s star is now 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 2,460th star in the Recording category was unveiled as President and CEO Leron Gubler presented the star to the legendary musician in the midst of thousands of adorning fans and McCartney’s family and friends. Celebrity guests included: Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, Dave Koz, Diana Krall, Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh and many others.

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 which was released 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 with Paul McCartney on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Television Permalink

John Wells

October 25, 2019

 

John Wells Honored With Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored writer/producer/director John Wells with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Emcee Leron Gubler, President/CEO of Hollywood Chamber and guest speakers George Clooney and Allison Janney participated in the unveiling of Wells’ star in the television category. Hollywood Walk of Fame’s 2,457th star was unveiled at 6533 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Historic Hudson on January 12, 2012. Celebrity guests included Justin Chatwin, Cheo Coker, Michael Cudlitz, Joan Cusack, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Regina King, Lucy Liu, Mike O’Malley, Emmy Rossum, Maura Tierney, Goran Visnjic, Jeremy White, Laura Wiggins and many others.

Born in Alexandria, Virginia, and raised in Denver, Colorado, Wells graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and later earned a Masters degree in film and television at the University of Southern California, where he also serves on the school’s Television Executive Advisory Council.

Wells is one of the most prolific writers, directors and producers for television, film and the stage. Over the past two decades, Wells has been a creative force behind some of primetime TV’s biggest hit series, including ER, The West Wing, Third Watch andChina Beach. In addition to the Showtime hit series, Shameless,(returning Sunday, January 8, at 9 pm)  he is currently executive producer of the hit TNT crime drama Southland (returning Tuesday, January 17at 10 pm).

Shows produced by Wells have received an astounding 267 Emmy® nominations with 55 Emmy® wins, five Peabody Awards, People's Choice Awards, Producers Guild Awards, Humanitas Prize (nominated seven times), as well as numerous distinctions from health care organizations across the country for ER. During its 15 year run, ER earned 122 Emmy® nominations, the most nominations for a primetime series in television history.

Wells recently wrote and directed The Company Men, a drama set against the backdrop of affluent Boston suburbs that vividly portrays the struggles of families coping with the recent economic meltdown. Marking Wells’ feature film directorial debut, the ensemble drama features an extraordinary cast including Academy Award® winners Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, as well as Emmy® winner Craig T. Nelson and Golden Globe nominee Maria Bello.

As a motion picture producer, Wells’ credits include: Carroll Ballard's critically acclaimed drama Duma, White Oleander, and The Good Thief.  Wells also served as a producer on  Doom, based on the popular video game and starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Wells executive produced Todd Haynes’ Emmy®-winning miniseries Mildred Pierce for HBO and the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There. He also served as executive producer on Tom Kalin’s Savage Grace, Douglas McGrath’s Infamous, Mary Harron’s The Notorious Bettie Page and the Emmy® nominated   Mrs. Harris for HBO.  

A seven-time Writers Guild Award nominee, in 2007, Wells received the WGA’s prestigious Paddy Chayefsky Television Laurel Award, given to writers who have advanced the literature of television and made outstanding contributions to the profession of television writers. In 2005, Wells was awarded the David Susskind Achievement Award in Television from the Producers Guild of America.

Wells’ award-winning stage work includes productions of Judgement, Balm in Gilead, Battery andShe Also Dances.

Wells recently served as President of the Writers Guild of America, West, after  previously serving as its President from 1999 – 2001 where he was vital to the success of the 2001 MBA contract negotiations.

His contribution to charities benefit the Grace Project, Humanitas, Rape Treatment Center and the Human Rights Project organizations.

For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

25 Oct 2019
Recording Permalink

AMERICA

October 25, 2019

America celebrates 40 year career milestone with
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored AMERICA with the 2,459th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Grammy Award-winning duo is celebrating Grammy Week in big style.  America were inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, February 6, just outside the Musicians Institute at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard, in the company of the Walk of Fame stars of Al Jolson, Hal David, Rush, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne and Journey. Emcee Leron Gubler, President/CEOHollywood Chamber of Commerce and guest speakers John Stamos and Billy Bob Thornton helped unveil the Walk of Fame star in the category of Recording.

On Tuesday, February 7, the Best New Artist Grammy winners of 1972–known for iconic hits like “Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair,” “Horse With No Name” and “Tin Man,” among many others– performed downtown at Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum, where they treated the crowd to classic hits and a Q&A session with the intimate audience.

AMERICA is an American popular music duo consisting of singer/songwriter/guitarist Gerry Beckley   and Dewey Bunnell. They met–along with Dan Peek who left the group in 1977 and passed away last year (2011)–while high school students whose fathers were stationed at an Air Force base in England.

The group had instant success with their first, self-titled release, which hit #1 on the U.S. charts and went platinum on the strength of “Horse With No Name,” their first #1 hit single.  They won the “Best New Artist” Grammy in 1972 and began a relentless career as touring musicians.

Throughout their career, they released 16 studio albums, and had massive hits with the #1 song “Sister Golden Hair,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” “I Need You,” “Don’t Cross The River” and “You Can Do Magic.” Beginning in 1974, America started working with longtime Beatles producer George Martin, for a total of six albums.

They continue to perform more than 100 live shows a year and in 2011 released the Back Pages CD, America’s interpretations of some of their favorite songs.  It is a rich, joyous collection of a dozen glimmering interpretations of songs by Bob Dylan, The Buffalo Springfield, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, Jimmy Webb, Mark Knopfler as well as Fountains of Wayne, New Radicals and Gin Blossoms, among others.  Upon hearing AMERICA’s version of his song “Caroline No” by the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson said: “An absolutely stunning version…I almost got tears.”

The album offers a fresh take on timeless songs and proves that, for all of their own rich history, America still has the ability to surprise and enchant us.  As one of the most beloved groups in the history of pop continue their aggressive tour schedule, they maintain a large and devoted fan base.

Beyond their hectic recording and touring duties, America find time to perform for various charities including Artists For The Arts Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation,  Keep Memory Alive Foundation for Alzheimer Research. Other charities include: Walk Against Cancer,  DART (“Dana’s Angels Research Trust”), to help raise funds for research and studies to find a treatment for victims of Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NP-C). The Tsunami charity single, “Grief Never Grows Old,” performed by various artists under the name “One World Project” to benefit victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster, also included singers: Sir Cliff Richard, Boy George, Steve Winwood, Gary Moore, Bill Wyman, Russell Watson, Kenny Jones, members of the Bee Gees, Brian Wilson & members of the Beach Boys, America, Chicago, Rick Wakeman & Jon Anderson.  Released in February 2005, the single reached #4 on the U.K. charts. They gave a Benefit concert for schools/education in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa (November 1981).  Gerry Beckley has also given extensively to Habitat for Humanity.   Dewey Bunnell gives to Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. He and his wife also work with animal rescue in both Wisconsin and California.  They are trained birds of prey rescuers in Wisconsin and have taken a lot of injured animals into their home to rehab and have released them upon recovery.

For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

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THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

 

25 Oct 2019
Television Permalink

Marg Helgenberger

October 25, 2019

 

 

Marg Helgenberger Honored With
Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Star is two stars away from Co-star and Friend William Petersen’s Star

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Emmy award-winning actress and Golden Globe nominee Marg Helgenberger with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 23, 2012 in the Category of Television. Despite the rain the fans were in full force as well as the recipient’s friends and family who were very much a part of the festivities. The star was unveiled in front of the historic Musso & Frank Restaurant, 6667 Hollywood Boulevard. Marg’s star is two stars away from her friend and colleague on CSI, William Petersen’s star.  Helping Chamber President/CEO unveil the 2,458th star were guest speakers Dana Delaney and Jorja Fox.

Celebrity guests included Ted Danson, David Berman, George Eads, Paul Guilfoyle, Robert David Hall, Elizabeth Harnois, Archie Kao, Wally Langham, Jon Wellner, Executive Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and many others.

Helgenberger grew up in North Bend, Nebraska where she caught the acting bug performing in school plays. It was not until she attended Northwestern University that she thought of acting as a career.  While there she appeared on stage as Kate in Taming of the Shrew and as Blanche in A Street Car Named Desire, to name a few.  After graduating from college she was cast on the ABC-TV daytime drama Ryan’s Hope.  While in New York she also did work with the Children’s Theatre Company, TADA.

She has portrayed Catherine Willows, the team’s former supervisor and an investigator with a cop’s instinct for reading human behavior for the past 12 seasons on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which is the most watched show in the world.  On January 25, she will say goodbye to her character and move on to a new chapter in her life.  CSI airs Wednesdays at 10PM (ET/PT) on CBS.

Helgenberger appeared in two original tele-pictures for Showtime.  In the controversial Thanks of a Grateful Nation, she played the sister of a man (Steven Weber) who suffers a terminal brain tumor after returning from the Gulf War.  She then co-starred with Ann-Margret in the Happy Face Murders as a detective investigating a very unsettling and confusing case of murder. She also starred as Patsy Ramsey in the highly rated CBS miniseries, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town, based on the best-selling book about the unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey.

Her breakout role as K.C. on China Beach, won her an Emmy Award in 1990.  In 1997, she guest starred on a four-episode arc on ER playing George Clooney’s love interest.  Her other television credits include Murder Live with David Morse and Teri Garr, Stephen King’s highly-rated miniseries The Tommyknockers, a Tom Hanks directed episode of Showtime’s Fallen Angels, and the Oscar nominated short film, Partners, directed by Peter Weller as well as The Gold Coast, starring opposite David Caruso.

On the feature film side, Helgenberger co-starred with Julia Roberts in the Universal hit drama, Erin Brockovichand with Kevin Costner in the film, Mr. Brooks. She also starred in Species, and  Species II.  Other film credits include, In Good Company  starring alongside Dennis Quaid and Scarlett Johansson, Fire Down Belowwith Steven Seagal, The Last Time I Committed Suicide with Keanu Reeves, My Fellow Americans with Jack Lemmon and James Garner, Cowboy Way  with Woody Harrelson, Bad Boys with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Always with Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss and Crooked Hearts with Peter Berg and Noah Wyle.

Helgenberger starred as Patsy Ramsey in the highly rated CBS miniseries, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town, based on the best-selling book about the unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey.

For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

 

25 Oct 2019
Television Permalink

Jon Cryer

October 25, 2019

 

 

MAN, MAN, MAN, MAN MANLY MAN
JON CRYER TO BE HONORED WITH
STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce was honored Jon Cryer with the 2,449th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. next to Hooters of Hollywood, 6922 Hollywood Boulevard. Guest speakers John Henson, Chuck Lorre and Carl Reiner helped unveile the star in the category of Television in front of Hooters Restaurant.

 

A triple threat, Jon Cryer has turned in outstanding, eclectic performances in film, television and on stage. Cryer won an Emmy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series’ for his work as ‘Alan Harper’ in CBS’ #1 comedy “Two and a Half Men.” The show has also won The People’s Choice Award for Best New Comedy Series in its debut year as well as Favorite TV Comedy from the group. After making his directorial debut on an episode of "Two and a Half Men" during its fourth season, Cryer continues to direct episodes of the show.  The premiere of the new season of “Two and a Half Men” will be later that night after Jon’s star ceremony;  Monday, September 19th on CBS at 9:00 p.m.    

Cryer initially gained attention on the big screen opposite Demi Moore in “No Small Affair,” followed by his iconic performance as an endearing misfit in John Hughes’ “Pretty in Pink.” His hilarious performance as Jim “Wash Out” Pfaffenbach in “Hot Shots!” was his first teaming with Sheen. 

Cryer’s first foray into television was playing the title role in CBS’s critically acclaimed “The Famous Teddy Z.”  He has since starred in two shows for FOX, “Getting Personal” and “Partners,” and was also seen on ABC’s “The Trouble with Normal.”  In addition, he’s had notable guest-starring roles on “The Practice,” “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” and “Mr. Show.”

On stage, Cryer has hit the boards on both sides of the Atlantic. He played David in Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song Trilogy,” bringing the role from Broadway to Los Angeles; starred as Eugene Jerome on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs;” and played Jack in the Los Angeles premiere of “Boys Life.”  His performance in the London production of “900 Oneonta” inspired the Daily Mail to proclaim Cryer’s work “…undoubtedly one of the funniest performances on the West End stage.”

Cryer’s talent is not limited to acting—he’s a gifted filmmaker as well.  He co-wrote, produced, and starred in two well-received independent films with director Richard Schenkman.  The first, “The Pompatus of Love,” explores the romantic floundering of four friends in their thirties.  Cryer based his second film, “Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God…Be Back by Five,” on the true story of a childhood friend who was homeless and living in Central Park.  The movie garnered awards in film festivals both in the US and abroad.

A native New Yorker, Cryer is the son of actor David Cryer and writer and actress Gretchen Cryer.  Alongside his mother, he did his first commercial at the age of four and was so excited that he broke out in hives, halting production.  He studied acting at Stage-door Manor, a summer acting camp featured in Todd Graff’s Sundance favorite “Camp,” before being accepted to the London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. 

As for Cryer’s charitable endeavors, he participates yearly in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon which benefits Children’s Hospital of LA and Pediatric Cancer Research.  Once again this year the triathlon falls on Emmy Sunday, September 18th. Additionally he has served on the board of “My Friend’s Place” which is a nonprofit Resource Center offering care that includes free emergency resources such as food and clothing in combination with health, educational, and therapeutic services to over 1,600 homeless youth and their children each year.

For more information and to view who shares a star with Jon Cryer on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

 

25 Oct 2019
Recording Permalink

Melissa Etheridge

October 25, 2019

 

SHE’S THE ONLY ONE
MELISSA ETHERIDGE HONORED WITH
STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Melissa Etheridge with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 27, 2011 in front of Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, 6901 Hollywood Boulevard.  Emcee Leron Gubler and guest speaker Hamish Dodds, President/CEO of Hard Rock International helped unveil the 2450th Star in the Category of Recording. The star ceremony tied into Hard Rock’s PINKTOBER™ month-long campaign featuring star-studded PINK carpet events, high-energy concerts and more at Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos worldwide, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. 

In February 2007, Melissa Etheridge celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy® Awards for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. Over the course of her more than two decades as a performer and songwriter, Etheridge has shown herself to be an artist who has never allowed “inconvenient truths” to keep her down.  Earlier in her recording career, Etheridge acknowledged her sexual orientation when it was considered less than prudent to do so.  In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, a health battle that, with her typical tenacity, she won.  Despite losing her hair from chemotherapy, Etheridge appeared on the 2005 Grammy® telecast to sing “Piece of My Heart” in tribute to Janis Joplin.  By doing so she gave hope to many women afflicted with the disease. Etheridge, has served as “Artist Ambassador” for Hard Rock’s annual PINKTOBER™ program for six years, helping to spread an empowering message of hope to fans worldwide.

Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, Melissa Etheridge picked up the guitar at the age of eight and began playing in local bands in her teens.  After completing high school, Etheridge was accepted as a student at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, but left after only one year to make her way as a performer in Los Angeles. Her bluesy vocal style and riveting stage presence began earning Etheridge a strong following. Legend has it that in a chance encounter at a small club in Long Beach with music industry legend and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, she was signed on the spot.

Melissa's first album, Melissa Etheridge (1988), was a critically-acclaimed debut that led to an invitation to sing on the 1989 Grammy® Awards broadcast.  For several years, her popularity built around such memorable originals as "Bring Me Some Water," "No Souvenirs" and "Ain't It Heavy," for which she won a Grammy® in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993).  The collection featured the massive hits, "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window," a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, "I Want to Come Over."  Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.

Melissa continued to write, record, and tour throughout the ‘90s and into the new millennium, releasing Skin (2001) and the upbeat Lucky (2004) along with her DVDs Live And Alone (2002) and Lucky Live (2004).  2005 marked the release of Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled, which includes "I Run for Life," commissioned by Ford Cares as part of their cancer initiative in support of The Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. The album was recently re-released in an Eco-pak, to include Melissa's Oscar® winning song "I Need To Wake Up." In April 2007, Melissa Etheridge received the distinguished ASCAP Founders Award and released her ninth studio album, The Awakening, selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of their Top 50 Albums of 2007.  In 2009, Melissa released her latest studio album, Fearless Love, to a Top 10 Billboard debut. 2011 has been an exciting year of new projects for Melissa.  She made her Broadway debut as St. Jimmy in Green Day’s rock opera, American Idiot.  When Melissa is not on tour, she records her syndicated Melissa Etheridge Radio Show for daily broadcast on stations throughout the US and Canada.

For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME – www.WalkOfFame.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are registered trademarks of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

 

25 Oct 2019
Recording, Television Permalink

Hal David

October 25, 2019

SONGWRITER HAL DAVID HONORED WITH A STAR IN CELEBRATION OF HIS GREAT CAREER AND 90th BIRTHDAY!

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored song writer Hal David with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, October 14, 2011 in front of The Musicians Institute at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard.  In celebration of his star in the Recording Category, Hal David was honored with a musical tribute entitled “Love Sweet Love” in celebration of his 90th birthday, on Monday, October 17th at the Mark Taper Forum benefitting The Blue Ribbon of the Music Center and The ASCAP Foundation.

"Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head", "This Guy’s in Love With You" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" are just three of the hits in a string of standards written by Academy Award-winning lyricist Hal David.   "Raindrops", which was in the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, garnered an Oscar®; “Don’t Make Me Over”, “Close to You” and “Walk on By” are all in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

"What The World Needs Now is Love” was proclaimed “The Towering Song” by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004, distinguished by its unforgettable melody and prayerful plain-spoken words that sound utterly contemporary today when conflict is so wide-spread around the world, even though it was written in 1965.

In addition, "What's New Pussycat", "Alfie" and "The Look of Love" received Oscar nominations.

Amongst Hal David's million-sellers, all of which have become Pop standards, are "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", "Walk on By", "What The World Needs Now is Love", “I Say a Little Prayer”, “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me”, “One Less Bell To Answer” and “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before”.

When Dionne Warwick recorded Hal David’s hit song “What the World Needs Now Is Love”, she commented that she felt it “should be the new national anthem”.

Small wonder that Hal David has been honored for his way with words with every major award bestowed by the music industry, including 20 gold records, several Grammys, the NARM Presidential Award and the B'Nai B'rith Creative Achievement Award.  He has also been elected to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and has been presented with their coveted Johnny Mercer Award.    David garnered the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Hal David received the esteemed Ivor Novello Award from the British Performing Rights Society (the first non-British person to ever receive that award).

In addition, David wrote the lyrics for film scores toAlfie, What's New Pussycat, Casino Royale, The April Fools, A House is not a Home, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance andMoonraker.  

Hal David has been elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for his many country hits, including “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before”, which garnered a Top country Hit of the Year Award when  the famed country singer Willie Nelson duetted  with the Latin star Julio Iglesias to record the hugely successful song.  

Lincoln College bestowed a Doctor of Music degree on David for his major contribution to American music, and he also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree from Claremont Graduate University.  In October of 2007 he received an Honorary Degree from the Five Towns College in Long Island, and in addition, they named their new Music Library building "The Hal David Music Library".

Hal David, Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick are the proud recipients of the prestigious “New York Heroes Award” from the National Recording Academy.  Just recently, Mr. David received the “Golden Plate” Award from the Academy of Achievement in Washington, D.C.

He’s listed as a “Distinguished Patron of the Arts” of the Los Angeles Music Center and serves as a member of the Board of Governors of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, as well as the Board of Directors of ASCAP, having formerly served as its President.

Hal David is Chairman Emeritus of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was recently awarded their first-ever Visionary Leadership Award.

For more information and to view who shares a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.walkoffame.com