Holly honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame on 75th birthday

Posted: July 28, 2011 - 3:52pm


Twenty-five years after being among the very first recording artists inducted into Cleveland’s Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the late Lubbock recording artist Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holly finally will
be honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


He is the very last in the inaugural class at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to receive a Hollywood star.
Holly’s star will be located near those of the Beatles, and both Phil Everly and Peter Asher are expected
to speak at the star unveiling ceremony.

Two artists, instead of the usual one, were approved for the posthumous honor this year: Louis Prima and Holly.

Another 28 living entertainers also were chosen. John Pavlik, chairman of the Hollywood Walk of Fame,
said, “It was not an easy job to winnow down the extra large number of nominations this year to reach
these 30 names, and many deserving names were left for future consideration.”

The star unveiling ceremony for Holly will take place at 11:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. Central time) on Sept. 7,
the 75th anniversary of Holly’s birth in Lubbock.

Maria Elena Holly, Buddy’s widow, said she has been asked many times why it has taken so long for him
to be honored with a Hollywood star. After all, more than 2,440 stars can be found along the 15-block
stretch of Hollywood Boulevard and three additional blocks on Vine Street.

A nomination process is involved, and Maria Holly said, “I just thought, for me to do it, that is, for me to
nominate Buddy, it would look tacky.

“I really thought that Paul McCartney’s company or Buddy’s record company would do it. I would hear
from them that there were plans, but then they (plans) just disappeared. But I am a patient woman...”

An average of 200 nominations are received each year.

Maria Holly now credits Kevin Magowan, 55, an individual Holly fan who works in the music business in
Los Angeles, for making this particular star ceremony happen.

She said that Magowan called her first to ask for permission to work on the project.

It was Magowan who labored to put together a submission package, essentially making a case for
Buddy’s eligibility. He then contacted Ana Martinez, who oversees star ceremonies for the Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce.

Anyone, including fans, can nominate an entertainer, provided they include a letter of agreement from
either the celebrity or their representative. Posthumous nominees must have been deceased at least five
years; Holly died in the crash of a private aircraft on Feb. 3, 1959.

A $25,000 fee also was expected at the time of selection, the funds being used for creation and
installation of each 300-pound star, and also for general maintenance of the Walk of Fame.

Again, after first asking permission from Maria Holly, Magowan approached three companies, asking if
they would be interested in splitting this cost: Paul McCartney’s MPL Communications, which owns
publishing rights to most of Holly’s songs; Peer Music, which also published Holly’s music; and Universal
Records, Holly’s record company.

All three agreed.

Magowan, upon receiving approval for the star ceremony to take place on Sept. 7, approached the Los
Angeles City Council, which agreed to designate that day “Buddy Holly Day in the City of Los Angeles.”

Together, Magowan and Maria Holly explored potential available sites for the star.

Martinez confirmed that Holly’s star will be located close to 1750 Vine St., in front of the historic Capitol
Records tower.

Maria Holly recalled a conversation in which she told Magowan, “Buddy did not record for Capitol” and he
responded, “No, but the Beatles did.”

McCartney said the Beatles’ name was inspired by Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

If one walks south-to-north on Vine Street, said Magowan, consecutive stars honor the names of Wink
native Roy Orbison, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, a blank space and then Buddy Holly.

The blank space is being held for Paul McCartney, who has not yet revealed a date when he can be
available to witness his star being unveiled.

Just like the West Texas Walk of Fame in Lubbock, it is mandatory that any living honoree must make a
personal appearance at his or her unveiling ceremony.

According to Martinez, Holly’s star also is adjacent to those of Vera Ralston and Beverly Sills.

Martinez indicated a CD of Holly’s music will be played prior to the ceremony, which is open to the
general public at no charge.

“Yes, they can bring cameras,” she added, “and early arrival is suggested.”

As many as three entertainers might speak at the ceremony, said Magowan, but the two confirmed are
Everly and Asher.

Everly was one of Holly’s best friends and served as a pallbearer at his funeral in Lubbock following the
plane crash that claimed his life.

Magowan said, “The Everlys also are credited with getting Holly and the Crickets out of blue jeans and
T-shirts and into designer suits.”

British musician Asher became a Holly fan as a teenager before finding fame in 1960s duo “Peter and
Gordon,” which had a hit with Holly’s “True Love Ways.”

According to Magowan, Asher is credited with discovering James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, and
producing Holly songs as hits for each: “It’s So Easy,””That’ll Be the Day” and “It Doesn’t Matter
Anymore” for Ronstadt, and “Everyday” for Taylor.

Asher also produced a new Holly tribute CD called “Listen to Me: Buddy Holly,” expected to be released
on Sept. 6, the day before Holly’s birthday and star ceremony.

Martinez said that the star unveiling ceremony will be emceed by Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.


SOURCE : HERE