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25 Years Ago Today...

It was 25 years ago today that family, friends and fans gathered adjacent the legendary El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Boulevard to witness the unveiling of Annette's "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

The ceremony was held  on Tuesday, September 14, 1993 at 11:30am.  Johnny Grant, the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and Chairman of the Walk of Fame Selection Committee, served as master of ceremonies.  Heartfelt...and at times humorous; speeches were given by Annette's lifelong friends and co-stars Shelley Fabares and Frankie Avalon.  At one point, Johnny Grant shared he had recently met the lawyer who wrote Annette's first contract in 1955.  The lawyer told him, "It's so great you're honoring Annette Funicello.  I've written contracts for a lot of young people but Annette was the only one who wanted to be sure she had some money to give to her church." 

When it came time to unveil her "Star", Annette gasped in delight as she saw it for the first time. "Oh!...Oh!...you know....they even were able to fit my whole last name on there!"

In her remarks, Annette expressed appreciation to many individuals who stood alongside her and supported her throughout her career - including Mickey Mouse.  "For every important event of my life..." she reflected,"Mickey Mouse is always by my side, and I hope he always will be."


Comments

  1. carptrashDecember 14, 2018 at 11:39 AM

    Hello: I am not sure how else to reach you, so, here goes. I am listening to a lot of Annette these days and am trying to learn who the Afterbeats were? I am guessing that they were a revolving group of session musicians, but I am looking for a few names to get me started. i am guessing that most of her recording was done in LA, which was the home of several hundred session musicians but rather than just guessing I'd like to have a more informed source, Such as you. Thanks for your consideration. Einar

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