RockWalk - Handprints Of Rockers
Hollywood, California
In Hollywood there are many sidewalks where an inattentive pedestrian might twist an ankle stepping into the indentation of a movie immortal. It could be a legendary star's foot print, or a porn actor's questionable cement impression, part of a "walk of fame." These swaths of plaques and cement impressions were created for posterity, but also for the tourists.
The RockWalk on Sunset Boulevard remembers rock n' roll's luminaries. The hand prints and plaques honor "individuals who have made significant contributions to The Music Business." It features the hand prints of the likes of Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Jimmy Page. But more interesting are groups and musicians often unacknowledged in stuffier rock hall of fame lists.
You'll find the paw prints of Def Leppard, AC/DC, the Scorpions (inducted in 2010), and Motorhead. There are the hand prints of eclectic drummer Terry Bozzio (Zappa, Missing Persons) and stick player Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel). English prog '70s super group Emerson, Lake, and Palmer are appropriately adjacent to synthesizer inventor Robert Moog. Even Toto leaves their please-don't-forget-us mark on the boulevard.
The RockWalk was started in 1985 outside the entrance of the Guitar Center, a popular musical instrument store. More musicians are added each year. There is also a wall of bronze plaques with engraved portraits of rock legends, some who probably never made it to the Guitar Center, such as Elvis Presley. And the Guitar Center displays a museum-like collection of instruments and memorabilia.