On Saturday, a rededication ceremony was held for the Sonny Bono star along the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in downtown Palm Springs. For those of you under 25, Sonny & Cher had a successful singing and TV career back in the 60's and 70's. The star was originally installed in 1996 while Sonny was still mayor of Palm Springs. His widow, Congresswoman Mary Bono, left, and children Chianna Bono and Chesare Bono were on hand for the rededication. There were a number of dignitaries who made speeches, and former wife Cher recorded a message as well. Sonny's star is in front of Sonny's bronze statue, located on Mercado Plaza at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.
As Palm Springs Savant, it's my obligation to periodically provide information about this great desert oasis. The Palm Springs Walk of Stars is a great place to discover the many Hollywood Stars who lived, loved and played in Palm Springs.
Back in the 1920's and 30's, stars such as Ruby Keeler, Al Jolson, William Powell, Rudolf Valentino and Harold Lloyd started the escape from Hollywood to the desert.
In the 40's they were soon followed by Ralph Bellamy, Charlie Farrell, Shirley Temple, Buddy Rogers, Mary Pickford, and Gene Autry.
The 50's and 60's were very definitely its heyday, when celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Bob Hope, Rock Hudson, Ginger Rogers, Jane Wyman, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Lucielle Ball & Desi Arnaz, Liberace, George Montgomery, Dinah Shore all had homes here in Palm Springs.
The 70's, 80's and 90's brought stars including Shirley MacClaine, Sonny Bono, Merv Griffin, Dolly Parton, Jack Jones, Keeley Smith, Debbie Reynolds, Kaye Ballard, Buddy Greco, Carol Channing, George Lopez, Dick Van Patten, Connie Stevens, Rich Little, Suzanne Somers, Victoria Principal, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.
Today, in 2007, Palm Springs continues to attract big names, including Brad Bitt & Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Barry Manilow, Queen Latifah, Bill Mahr, and Ryan Seacrest. The annual Palm Springs International Film Festival attracts a huge roster of major motion picture actors, directors, writer and producers. It's not uncommon to see a major celebrity at a local restaurant one evening in town. With scenery and views like these below, its not hard to understand why Palm Springs has been home to celebrities for more that 80 years now. It's a beautiful oasis that I am proud to call home.
-Rick Rockhill
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