Billy Idolis officially a permanent fixture on Hollywood Blvd.
“It really is crazy to find myself getting an award like this, orbeing honored in this way,” Idol said during the ceremony.
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“I mean, 47 years of doing this after I started in Generation X, and 35 years after coming here, I just really could never have imagined anything like this,” he continued. “Initially, we did the music back in the mid-’70s during the punk rock time. There wasn’t much hope or anything. We decided if there’s nothing, there’s no future, we’re going to do what we love. And that’s what I did. I did the music because I loved it. It wasn’t for any other reason, really.”
“Anyway, I didn’t really think doing this would last very long. We thought maybe six months, maybe a year, maybe two years,” added Idol. “I could never have imagined something like this. It’s just incredible.”
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Henry Rollinswas one of the speakers to pay tribute to Idol, musing on the reason so many gathered to celebrate the punk icon.
“Billy Idol has rock n roll in his veins and punk rock in his DNA. That is to say, he is the real thing, and maybe that’s why we’re here today,” said Rollins, 61. “Because decade after decade, he has remained himself, and it takes a lot of guts and a lot of integrity.”
OBEY founderShepard Faireyalso paid tribute in a speech, and Idol’s friends, fellow Walk-of-FamerAndy Madadian, actorClifton Collins Jr., longtime collaboratorSteve Stevensand the Sex Pistols' Steve Jones all showed their support at the event as well.
source: people.com