The Mothership has landed at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard.
That’s where George Clinton, the original Star Child, got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, Jan. 19.
Clinton, as every schoolchild should know, is the overlord of the Parliafunkadelicment Thang, a collective of funk outfits such as Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band and Brides of Funkenstein, all created and/or led by Clinton. Clinton’s commercial success peaked in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s but his music remains contemporary – his albums have long been a horn o’ plenty for hip-hop producers sampling infectious beats and grooves.
Parliament’s 1975 album, “Mothership Connection,” is in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Do you have an album in the National Recording Registry? Didn’t think so.
All of this is to establish that George Clinton is certainly worthy of a star on the Walk of Fame. However, there is a fair distance between deserving a star and receiving a star.
Take a gander at the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s FAQ page to see just how involved the process is. It may not take a village but it is going to take time and money.
Anyone can submit a nomination, true, but it’s not as simple as filling out an online form. There’s a $250 registration fee. Also required is a letter from the nominee or their management agreeing to the nomination and confirming they will attend the ceremony (more on that later).
You’ll also need to submit a photo of the nominee, a biography that’s no longer than 750 characters and a list of charitable or civic-minded activities in which the performer has been involved.
The nomination is good for two years. Recipients are voted on once a year in June. That gives you two shots. Your nominee didn’t make the cut either year? It’s another $250 to get them in the running for another two years. Probably a good idea to make sure the nominee and/or management are still cool with it, too.
Nominees are slotted into six categories: motion pictures, television, radio, recording, live theater/performance and sports entertainment. The committee is made up of “Walk of Famers with expertise” in one of the six fields, according to the website.
The committee’s choices for 2024 are the late Chadwick Boseman, Kevin Feige, Gal Gadot, Maggie Gyllenhaal, film producer Chris Meledandri, Chris Pine, Christina Ricci and Michelle Yeoh in the Motion Picture category; Ken Jeong, Eugene Levy, Mario Lopez, Jim Nantz, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael Schur, Kerry Washington, and El Gordo y La Flaca co-hosts Raúl De Molina and Lili Estefan for Television; Glen Ballard, Toni Braxton, Def Leppard, Charles Fox, Sammy Hagar, Brandy Norwood, Darius Rucker, Gwen Stefani and Andre ‘Dr. Dre’ Young for Recording; Jane Krakowski and the late Otis Redding for Live Theater/Live Performance; Angie Martinez for Radio; and Billie Jean King and Carl Weathers for Sports Entertainment.
Should your nominee be chosen to receive a star, the Walk of Fame will need a check for $75,000 to make the magic happen. This “sponsorship fee … is used to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as maintenance of the Walk of Fame,” according to the website. It also says, “Price subject to change,” which probably doesn’t mean it’s going to be BOGO next week.
Those selected – the committee chooses between 24 and 30 honorees each year – have two years to set up their ceremony. And if they don’t? Back to the starting point. Another nomination. Another $250.
Oh, and the recipient must agree to attend the ceremony. This is known as the Springsteen Clause. Do you know why it’s called the Springsteen Clause? That’s right! The Boss blew ‘em off, according to Ana Martinez, ceremony producer for the Walk of Fame.
“Many, many, many years ago, Bruce Springsteen was nominated by a fan and was selected,” she told Billboard. “Mr. Springsteen declined, so I created a policy that [recipients] have to sign off that they are in agreement with the nomination and that they will attend if selected.”
Clinton will be the 2,769th recipient of a terrazzo and brass star, joining the others on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and La Brea Avenue, and on Vine Street from Sunset Boulevard to Yucca Street.
You can search for your favorite celebrity’s star on the Walk of Fame website. If you don’t see their name, you can begin the process of nominating them on the website as well. Just remember, though, you’ve got some work ahead of you.