Billy Idol and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens were honored on the Hollywood Rockwalk on June 23, a public recognition that now precedes their scheduled induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November. The event at Guitar Center’s Sunset Boulevard flagship underscored both artists’ enduring influence and places their partnership back in the spotlight ahead of the larger ceremony.
The pair left handprints outside the store and took part in a short ceremony hosted by radio veteran Richard Blade, joining the dozens of performers and music figures whose imprints line the Walk of Fame-style pavement. The Rockwalk has celebrated musicians since 1985 and serves as a visible tribute to artists who have shaped popular music.
Idol and Stevens reflected on their long collaboration, describing the moment as a meaningful acknowledgment of their creative partnership and friendship. Stevens framed the honor as a recognition of decades of shared work and the songs they helped bring to audiences worldwide.
Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto said the retailer views the Rockwalk as a way to celebrate artists who have left a lasting mark on music culture and noted the company is renewing its investment in programs that connect musicians and fans.
The Rockwalk ceremony also illustrates a broader return to public events for Guitar Center. The program ran almost every year from its 1985 start through 2018, paused during a period that included the pandemic and changes in corporate focus, and resumed last year with an induction for Gary Clark Jr.
- Event: Hollywood Rockwalk handprint ceremony at Guitar Center, Sunset Boulevard — June 23
- Host: Richard Blade
- Notable past Rockwalk honorees: Eric Clapton, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder
- Recent milestones: Idol earned an American Music Awards lifetime achievement honor on May 25, performing several of his signature songs with Stevens
- Next step: Idol and Stevens are scheduled for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles
Industry observers say the timing matters: this Rockwalk induction helps frame the narrative heading into the Hall of Fame ceremony and highlights the increasing recognition of collaborators who shaped iconic solo artists’ sounds. If the November induction proceeds as planned, it will mark a rare example of a sideman being inducted alongside the primary artist — a precedent set only once in recent memory.
Beyond the ceremonial value, Guitar Center’s renewed emphasis on events like the Rockwalk signals a strategic shift back toward in-person programming and artist-facing initiatives under its current leadership. For fans and music professionals alike, the revival of these public honors offers more opportunities to celebrate and document popular music’s living history.
Whether viewed as a warm-up for November or as an independent accolade, the handprint ceremony cements the public impression of Idol and Stevens as a creative duo whose work continues to resonate. The November induction will test how that legacy is framed within the larger story of rock music recognition and the industry’s evolving approach to crediting collaborative contributors.
