Village People Join The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Disco superstars Village People were honored with their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in an award ceremony that took place in Hollywood, CA yesterday afternoon. The costumed performers, known for their mega hits Y.M.C.A., In The Navy and Macho Man (which, apparently, is enough to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame family), were all on hand at yesterday’s award ceremony … behold:
The iconic disco group the Village People received the 2,369th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, honoring a more than 30-year career that has included such hits as “YMCA” and “In the Navy.” The Village People were approved for a star five years ago, but were unable to schedule the ceremony until today, according to Leron Gubler, president and chief executive officer of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which oversees of the Walk of Fame. The Village People are scheduled to perform Saturday at the Los Angeles County Fair. “When people walk by that star, you’re going to see a lot of people taking photographs,” Gubler said. The star is one block north of the Hollywood YMCA and between the stars of two other pop culture icons, Liberace and Betty Grable. “It’s one of the honors as a kid, you think about, but when you actually start working, you sort of forget about and focus on work,” said Eric Anzalone, the group’s biker/leatherman. “Then when you get the call, it’s like Christmas morning.” The inspiration for the Village People came when producer-composer Jacques Morali and partner Henri Belolo noticed Felipe Rose dancing in his Indian costume before an enthusiastic crowd in New York’s Greenwich Village in 1977. Morali and Belolo decided to put together a group of Greenwich Village icons from various American social groups, with Rose being a member of the group since its inception. The group’s initial hit was “Macho Man.” “YMCA,” released in 1978, made the Village People one of the most successful disco groups. More than 100 million copies of their albums and singles have been sold. The Village People’s distinctions include having both Madonna and Michael Jackson performing as their opening acts … The group is known for its stability and longevity. Alexander Briley, the G.I. and sailor, has also been with the group since its formation. David Hodo, the original construction worker, left the group in 1982, but returned in 1985 and has remained a member. Ray Simpson has been the cop and lead singer since 1979, replacing Victor Willis. Jeff Olson replaced Randy Jones as the cowboy in 1980, just after the release of “Can’t Stop the Music.” Anzalone became the biker/leatherman in 1995, replacing original member Glenn Hughes, who died in 2001 following a long battle with lung cancer.
Holy shizz! I had no idea that both Madonna and Michael Jackson opened up for the Village People back at the height of their fame … now that’s impressive. 80’s Latin star Charo came out yesterday to help celebrate the Village People’s Walk of Fame induction … here is a pic of the sassy lady giving us a dose of her famous cuchi-cuchi:
You know, a woman her age who is still shaking her maracas in this way deffo deserves props … I totally <3 her. In any regard, much love and congrats goes out to the Village People for this momentous accomplishment :)
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
Tags: Charo, Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Village People
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September 13th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Geezus!
67 years old and look at Charo’s legs!!!
One can have all the plastic surgery in the world, but to retain legs that look so damn good at the age of 67 one has to be in friggin’ amazing shape!
Honestly, her legs are enough to make any twenty-five year old ripe with envy.
Amazing.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Charo is 67??? WTF???
Honestly I lost all respect for the Hollywood Walk of Fame when they gave a star to Ryan Seacrest. But congrats to the Village People! That’s hilarious that Michael Jackson opened for them.
September 14th, 2008 at 6:00 am
lmao