John Lennon's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo by Steve Marinucci.)
It's fantastic that George Harrison is finally getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame April 14. Actually, this was originally announced in 2007, according to several stories on the internet. We're thrilled that it's finally happening. It's a honor he very much deserves.
John Lennon (see picture at right) and the Beatles already have stars. Lennon's is located at the Capitol Records tower in Los Angeles at Hollywood and Vine. And the Beatles have one as a group.
But where are the stars for Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr?
Guess what? Neither of them have one.
Why?
How about petition drives to make it known we want them to finally get their own stars.
Actually, we don't need a petition for Paul. His is in the works. A source at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce tells us Paul McCartney's star "was selected/approved many years ago and we are just waiting for his people to give us a date on when he would like to do it."
But, she added, "Someone just needs to step in and nominate Ringo, which I am sure will happen soon."
So how about now? We've set up an online petition to nominate Ringo for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Please sign it.
Let's make this honor, which Ringo deserves, happen.
(A side note: You would think they would be, but neither John Lennon's star, nor the Beatles is the closest one to the door of the entrance of the historic Capitol building. Guess whose is? Garth Brooks. The guy who tried -- and failed -- to beat the Beatles' CD sales records. How ironic.)
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Comments
Why? I don't see this as being such a huge honor. It's kind of tacky imo.
I don't see this as "tacky," sorry Janet. It is a great honor to be part of this historical walk.
But it disappointed me to read this column headline in the first place because it is attempting to (IMO) diminish the honor for Harrison.
Why automatically do all of the Beatles need individual stars in addition to the group's? Harrison made major contributions to the music and movie worlds and invented the rock charity concert -- all after 1970. (BTW, he ALSO won a Grammy for Banga Desh)
Meanwhile, he is NOT being honored for his time in the band and I wouldn't want people decades from now to stroll down the walkway and see the four names and only say "those guys are here because they were in the Beatles."
Now, I have no problem with Paul having one because he indeed has had a huge impact on entertainment since the breakup. But Ringo, as much as I love him, just isn't in the same category as the others in terms of overall impact as a solo artist.
Again, I believe George's honor entails much more than just his musical output -- which for me was pretty amazing.
Let's give George his due for this and not cheapen it by saying, OK let em all in now!
Smitty: This doesn't diminish George's honor at all. It's fantastic that it's happening, as I said in the beginning. But it's about time the rest of the Beatles got them as well. That's the point. And I hope the petition helps get Ringo nominated.
Ringo put the beat in Beatles!
He deserves that star.
I signed it.
hi steve,
Have you heard the new mccartney song called Shoes?
Is that from his new album or?
youtube com watch?v=DpxBfhJIJPM
With the work that Ringo has done in movies , music and for charities I can see no reason why he is not on the Hollywood Hall of Fame. So many have far less accomplishments and are there.
I hear what you're saying Steve. But why can't it JUST be about George Harrison for once?
What's the harm in that?
(And to the post that Ringo put the beat in Beatles and thus deserves to be there, he IS there with the group star. I consider these individual stars to be more about the artist in his own right.)
BTW, I can't wait to see what the new Harrison music release is tomorrow.
I signed! Thanks Steve. This is why I'm a subscriber.
And tacky is a bad thing, Janet?
I agree with Janet. Once I found out that a person buys their own star it lost it's luster. Plus - if you are still alive you have to show up for the ceremony or you do not get the star. George and all certainly deserve ever honor they get, but this is just another 'award' that is not much of an honor.
Did any of them show for the Beatles star? I think that was pushed through by the record company. In the end I think George and the rest deserve better, but if it makes Olivia and Dhani happy then it is a good thing.
Just read the Garth Brooks item. That proves that it is all PR and meaningless. Notice how most people get their 'stars' when they are promoting something? Paul was most likely nominated by Capitol Records - like John and George. If Paul really wanted his star he would have accepted it by now. Poor Ringo. I shall nominate him, but I am sure he does not care.
I say - let's nominate Steve M for a star. Then we just need to collect the $25,000 fee and get him to show up.
Out of anyone, it should be Ringo Starr who gets a Hollywood star because he had some kind of career in Hollywood that allowed him to find a great wife.
I'm all for Paul and Ringo getting their own stars, but like The Rutles' song says, "All You Need Is Cash". Who's going to fork out $25,000 for each of them to get their stars? Not me, I bought enough of their records, tapes and cds.
Ringo is one of the boys who have brought a revolution to this world since the 60's. He have been a Beatle, an actor, a drummer and a Thomas The Tank Engine narrator.
Ringo Starr should deserve a Hollywood Star. After all his stage name's last name is Starr.
Here's the procedure off of the WOF website. It says at the bottom that the committee does not accept signed petitions. You have to submit Ringo's name and qualifications with samples, and then have Ringo agree to attend, and then raise the $25,000. If Ringo wants one his people can do this, as Paul's did.
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
Nominations are accepted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during a scheduled 60-day nomination period announced to Hollywood’s entertainment trade publications and print and broadcast media. Nomination of an individual or group must be approved by the Walk of Fame Committee, sometimes requiring several annual nominations before a nominee is selected to receive a star. The ten to fifteen most qualified artists nominated are eligible for a star to be installed in the Walk during the subsequent year. Those not selected for the current year are requested to resubmit for the following nomination period. The criteria for receiving a star consists of the following: professional achievement, longevity of five years or more, contributions to the community and the guarantee that the celebrity will attend the dedication ceremony if selected. Posthumous awards require a five-year waiting period. After the Walk of Fame Committee has made its selections, the Chamber’s Board of Directors also vote to approve the star and then for a final vote, the names are submitted to the City of Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works Department.
Hollywood citizens and tourists alike look forward to each dedication ceremony with eager anticipation.
The official nomination period is announced in the Hollywood Entertainment Trade publications and an appropriate news release is disseminated to the Los Angeles area print and broadcast media.
The Walk of Fame Committee meets annually. Nomination of an individual or group does not automatically equate to approval of a star in the Walk of Fame. Several hundred applications are reviewed annually, from which an undetermined number is selected. All nominated artists are carefully and objectively evaluated. Those not selected the first year will automatically roll over for a second review the following year. If it is not approved in the second year, nominees must be resubmitted
When nominating an individual or group, the sponsor must submit the nominee’s qualifications as well as contributions to the community and/or civic-oriented activities. The application must be accompanied by a biography (not exceeding two pages) and photograph of the nominee. Non-returnable samples of the nominee’s work may also be submitted (i.e. in the recording category – a music CD; Motion Picture – a DVD). After the Walk of Fame Committee has made its selections, the artist must be approved by the following agencies: the Board of Directors of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles City Board of Public Works, with the final approbation being the Los Angeles City Council.
Criteria for Star on the Walk of Fame
1. Professional achievement
2. Longevity of five years in the field of entertainment
3. Contributions to the community
The recipient must agree to attend the dedication ceremony.
In case of a fan nomination, a letter of agreement must be sent by celebrity management.
There is a five-year waiting period after death for nominations of deceased individuals. The Committee does not necessarily select posthumous honorees each year.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce makes every effort to schedule a dedication ceremony on the date requested by the honoree. A 60-day lead period is needed for required permits, the manufacturing of the star, and advance publicity.
Please be advised that if your nominee is selected and the induction does not take place within five years of the selection date, the nominee must be re-submitted during another voting period.
The sponsorship fee is $25,000*.
The Committee does not accept signature petitions, postcards or letters.
i think PAUL nd RINgo both deserve a STar especially PAUl he is still living strong one of the most famous 2 me(: let PAUL have a chance at getting a star 4 once! he has still made great hits and he totally DEservES it!!
i love the beatles it would be my honor to nominate ringo for a star he deserves it and so those paulo mccartney
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