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25th Star on Las Vegas Walk of Stars awarded to Trini Lopez in Star-studded Ceremony

Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 02:07AM by Registered CommenterJerry Wilson | CommentsPost a Comment
25th Star on Las Vegas Walk of Stars awarded to Trini Lopez in Star-studded Ceremony
 
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[May 15, 2008 - Vegas Buzz News Network] Trini Lopez today returned to the place where it all began for him, the Flamingo Showroom.  Same place, same name.  Purportedly still haunted by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and even Bugsy Siegel.  In honor of the place and occasion, Trini appeared decked out in a gangster suit, all-black with accompanying hat and bright tie.

Just about everyone in the room was connected to within a few degrees of each other ... As are so many people that have been touched by such a great compassionate man and his music.  
 
Take for example Grammy-award winner Ron Dante producer of Trini's latest album 'Ramblin Man,' and also producer of grammies for Cher and Barry Manilow.  Ron Dante and Mr. "Life Styles of the Rich and Famous" Robin Leach, also go wayyyhhh back.  To another type of Americana - which, in its innocence sounds archaic, anachronistic, yet comfortingly familiar - 'Bubblegum' music.  The genre was certainly pushed to the forefront due to the megahit of the 60's 'Sugar, Sugar,' #1 song of 1969, which innocence and all, crossed all genre boundaries and made everybody happy.  It still does today.  
 
Trini's hit 'If I Had a Hammer," brought a message of love, peace and hope to the world at a time it sorely needed it. The indelible message lives on today with over 5 million copies sold worldwide and a coresponding local version in just about every language conceivable.  
 
The new album, 'Ramblin' Man' contains Trini's cover of 'Sugar, Sugar.'
 
Trini Lopez is the quintessential 'American,' from Texas, of Mexican-American descent.
 
A speaker joked, President Bush was pleased that Mr. Lopez opened up the state of Texas for his daughter's wedding. -- Since Trini owns most of it.  Yet another said, "Trini, you do the work of 10,000 social workers." And indeed he does, with the many social causes he has been involved in throughout a long and illustrious career not only in music, but film, television, and public service.
 
rich little trini lopez ed swindell bob alexander.jpg 
Photo (left-right): Rich Little, Trini Lopez, Ed Swindell, Bob Alexander 
 
Edward Swindell, Director Las Vegas Walk of Stars read a special message from President Bush: 
Dear Mr. Lopez,
 
Laura and I want to congratulate you on your birthday the release of your latest album and your star on the Walk of Stars.
 
A birthday gift has been forwarded to you.
 
I'm looking forward to receiving your latest album and I want to let you know that I am a big fan of yours.
 
George Bush
 
There were three Causes for Celebration today:
 

1.  Trini Lopez' Birthday (May 15).

Birthday Cake (By the famous Vegas 'Cake Lady') 

2.   Release of Latest 'Ramblin Man' CD, produced by Ron Dante at the Palms Studio, Vegas. (Available as of today from iTunes and other leading online music stores).

3    Last but Certainly not least, celebration of being awarded the 25th star in the Las Vegas Walk of Stars (www.lasvegaswalkofstars.com) 

Other Notables in attendance included:
 
  • Rich Little
  • Las Vegas Walk of Stars Vice President Dan Pharmer
  • Las Vegas Walk of Stars President Bob Alexander
  • Filmmaker Roger Lee Harris 
  • Various representatives including Andrea Mendoza of Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's Office. 
        and many, many others too numerous to mention. (We'll get to them in the next few articles).
 
trini lopez dan pharmer ron dante.jpg 
Photo:  Dan Pharmer, Vice President, Las Vegas Walk of Stars® ,
presents commendation from Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons to Trini Lopez (left)
as Ron Dante (seated) looks on.
 
More About Trini Lopez

Trini Lopez has done charitable work and received honors such as being inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003. He was still recording and appearing live in the early 2000s. Recently he took part in a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

He has also contributed immensely to the Las Vegas entertainment scene.

About the Las Vegas Walk of Stars®

The Las Vegas Walk of Stars® was developed in cooperation with Clark County, which sanctioned four miles of sidewalk to the East and West of Las Vegas Boulevard South between Sahara and Russell.

Similar to the “Hollywood Walk of Fame®,” located along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles, California, the Las Vegas project honors people of prominence in a variety of fields including entertainment, sports, literary, humanitarian, civic, military, and pioneers.

Each star will be made of polished granite, 36" x 36", weighing 180 lbs., inlaid with the recipient’s name and specialty.  As many as 3,000 stars could eventually be installed.   There are 24 stars dedicated and installed.

Trini Lopez's star is #25 in the series.  For more information on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars®, visit: www.lasvegaswalkofstars.com 

Prior Vegas Buzz Interviews with Ron Dante:

CLICK HERE 

(email author: Jim Wilson: jwilson@vegasbuzznews.com)

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