On June 23, 2026, Guitar Center Hollywood hosted the induction of famed rock singer and multiplatinum artist Billy Idol, along with his longtime guitarist and writing partner, Steve Stevens into the Hollywood RockWalk. The standing room only ceremony was hosted by Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto and writer, actor, producer, former K-Rock DJ and current host of Sirius XM's first wave classic alternative and a recipient of his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Richard Blade.
Dalporto announced the start of the ceremony. ”Hello everybody and welcome this very special RockWalk induction. I'm Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center and host of our “Inside The Noise” podcast. Welcome to Guitar Center Hollywood. Today I am honored to announce that Guitar Center's iconic RockWalk is welcoming two of rock music's most influential and enduring artists to its ranks. RockWalk was founded in 1985 with a mission to honor musicians and innovators who have made significant and lasting contributions to the growth and evolution of music. Since then, more than 150 legends have immortalized their hands and signatures in the cement blocks right outside this store. Every day fans from around the world visit RockWalk to celebrate these icons and the impact they've had on our culture.
From Les Paul to Eddie Van Halen, from Stevie Wonder to Alanis Morrisette, from Eric Clapton to Sheila E, to Jim Marshall. RockWalk tells the story of music itself, its diversity, its innovation, and the evolution of the instruments and technologies that make it possible. In the ultimate pay it forward, the artists honored here inspired the next generation to pick up their first instrument, write their first song, discover the joy of making music and perhaps create the next breakthrough in sound. In speaking of inspiration, today Guitar Center is proud to induct an extraordinary musical partnership that has endured more than 45 years. Billy Idol and Steve Stevens. Together they have written some of Rock's most enduring songs, helped forge the music video era, revolutionized guitar sounds, created unforgettable riffs and vocal melodies, and they continue to thrill audiences around the world today. The greatest partnerships in rocker build on trust, chemistry, and a shared commitment to pushing creative boundaries. For more than four decades, Billy and Steve have embodied all three. Their influence can be heard in countless artists who followed, and their creative energy remains as powerful as ever, including their acclaimed 2025 album, Dream Into It. It is truly a privilege to have these two legends with us today as the newest members of the Guitar Center Rock Walk. And now to officially induct Billy Idol and Steve Stevens into the Rock Walk class of 2026, it is my pleasure to introduce writer, actor, producer, former K-Rock DJ and current host of Sirius XM's first wave classic alternative and a recipient of his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Richard Blade.
Blade continued. “Thank you for having me. I was thrilled when I got the call asking if I would induct these guys into the RockWalk because I've been here and I've checked it out and it's, as Gabe said, been around since 1985. But this guy, Billy, has been around with Generation X since 1978. And he was one of the first people I played on the radio with “Ready, Steady, Go”. And then after Gen X went its way and Billy crossed the Atlantic and decided he was going to spend time in New York, he met this guy from Brooklyn by the name of Steve Stevens. These guys really helped put New Wave on the map and showed the diversity of New Wave. When a struggling cable network by the name of MTV needed to get a bigger reach across America because they were only in a few cities at the time, they went to three icons to help them launch. One of them was Sting, one of them was Madonna and the other was Billy Idol. I walked by MTV. And with these three MTV became a powerhouse, but if it wasn't for the music that these guys brought to MTV and the videos, MTV wouldn't have happened, and New Wave wouldn't have happened without you guys. And Billy being from England has become part of American culture because he moved over here and stayed over here, and his influence cannot be overstated because what he's done with his music has just revolutionized it. And I think for everyone here, do we have Billy Idol, Steve Stevens fans?”
The crowd roared.
Blade continued. “On my radio and my video shows, I always would reach for Billy Idol record or Billy Idol video. One of my favorite memories with Billy was when we spent a day together, he was doing an in- store at Music Plus on Vine Street. We had 2,000 people outside. Billy was inside and we honestly thought the glass was going to break. It was just going in and out and we went to a TV interview, and I asked Billy a question and he gave me one of those answers that stayed with me the rest of my life. I said, "For your upcoming tour, are you putting together a band?" And he looked at me and he goes, "Put together a band? I don't have part-time rockers in my group." And that's the way Billy's always been. He has never phoned it in. If you go to a Billy Idol show, if you go and see him on tour this fall with Steve Stevens, he is going to be putting on a show that you will talk about for the rest of your life because I've seen him on just about every tour through Whiplash Smile and it is just amazing. I've been fortunate to see so many bands, but honestly, I've never seen anyone better than Billy.”
Steve Stevens was next. “How do I follow that voice? I'm from Brooklyn. I was lucky enough to grow up in New York. I went to the high school of performing arts, The Fame School, which was on 46th Street. It was near the music stores. There was about 12 of them on 48th Street and the school fucked up because they gave you your music classes in the morning and then you had a lunch break and then they had your academic classes. Well, whoever went back for academic classes? I dropped out of the school because I was in the music stores. I hung out in them. These are our churches and they are for any young musician, these are houses of possibilities and dreams. And as an example, the guitar that I used on primarily the whole Rebel Yell record cost me 600 bucks and it just goes to show, it's all about the songs. There are 12 notes in the Western scales on the guitar, but what Billy Idol gave me was a voice for all these notes with his songs and partnership and vision from the moment I met him. First of all, he's the most charismatic person you ever meet but also driven, said," Right, we're going to get down dressed, but I'm not a punk rock guitar player, but I could play anything you could imagine. I think that's what music is really about. And we both grew up on those people's records and we were all about experimenting and taking anything you could imagine and making music into it. So I think more than anything, this is a testament to over 44 years of great laughs, great songs that now belong to you guys and a great friendship that really is something really, really special. I'm really happy about that. Thank you to Guitar Center and everyone involved. Richard Blade has been there from the beginning. It's pretty humbling to be amongst so many amazing guitar players, so many great musicians. So thank you Guitar Center and keep rocking and for any young musician, it's just about your imagination. You don't have to go to school for it. I don't read music. Fuck that. I just love making music with Billy and I respect him, I respect his creativity, and he gave my notes a voice.”
Billy Idol concluded. “It's fantastic to be honored by Guitar Center. I used to go and stare at the guitars and guitar shops on Charing Cross Road in London. I used to go and look at all those and all the great guitars. I know a lot of people have come to Guitar Center and found the guitar they dreamed of. As long as there's places like Guitar Center around, I think there's a chance of music will still be coming out and being great because they give you the chance to access and play guitars. I've had a fantastic time playing with Steve. He's made a lot of my crazy ideas come through and you can never ask for anything more than that. It really is special and really incredible. I've enjoyed every minute of it, Steve, and it's great to be honored with you today. It really is. It's fantastic. Thank you, Richard. Well, 1976, I actually started, but I suppose you're right at 77, 78, we started putting out records with Generation X, but actually this is 50 years, my 50th year.”
At this point Billy and Steve both put their hands into the cement plaque that is now on display at The Hollywood Guitar Center RockWalk sidewalk. RockWalk inductees are immortalized with concrete squares bearing their exact handprints and signatures. In addition to the sidewalk handprints, the landmark features large, decorative bronze plaques lining the building’s exterior walls to commemorate the legends.
Richard Blade concluded the ceremony: “So thank you. Billy will be on the road this fall with Steve and Devo and Susana Hoff. So that's going to be great.”
Gabe Dalporto delivered the last words. “Such an honor to be here today and to honor Billy and Steven and thank you all for coming”.
Hollywood’s RockWalk is a monument and hall of fame located outside the flagship Guitar Center store on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Founded in 1985, it honors music legends and industry pioneers who have made significant, lasting contributions to music. Over 150 musicians, innovators, and instrument pioneers—such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and Eddie Van Halen—have been inducted. RockWalk inductees are chosen exclusively by a selection committee comprised of industry representatives, editors, and artists. The honor is strictly invitation-only, specifically aimed at recognizing the most influential artists and innovators in rock, blues, soul, and pop.
