A Star for Elvis

Questions & Answers from the 2008 campaign but this also answers question related to Now.

What is the Las Vegas Walk of Stars? The Las Vegas Walk of Stars, a d/b/a of the Motion Picture Hall of Fame Foundation, is a non-profit public benefit corporation.  See more at: www.LasVegasWalkofStars.com
Why haven’t I heard of this before?  The star program was begun in 2004.  There are already over 30 stars in the sidewalk along ‘the strip.’ Visit the walk of stars website for more details. The list of 100 future stars was confirmed in 2005 during the centennial celebration of Las Vegas.  All the confirmations now await a sponsor and funding.  2008 was time for Elvis Presley!
Isn’t this related to the Hollywood Walk of Fame?  No, it is not, it is completely independent from the other walks, although similar in function.
Why wasn’t this done a long time ago? Why wasn’t Elvis’ star first? Who pays for this? Las Vegas hasn’t done enough to honor Elvis! The star installation has many costs related to it. $15,000 was required. (It is now $25,000) This is not funded by any city or county taxes or the state or any corporation. The casinos do not coordinate together for any honors. It completely funded by donation, there is no one else to pay for it.  All it takes for a star to be installed is: a nomination, a sponsor, approval, and the funding.  No one has stepped up to sponsor and honor Elvis Presley before now. EPE was approached, but there was no response. So Elvis was not first. The Walk committee has been waiting for a sponsor.
Although Las Vegas has not forgotten Elvis, what with support by the former Hilton hotel and ETA shows, the star will be a tribute that will last forever, and millions of people will see it.  Elvis will always be a part of the image and history of Las Vegas.
Don’t you think EPE should have contributed to this?  Yes. we would have welcomed it. In 2004, the LWOS committee wrote to EPE.  And in 2006, a letter from the club was written to Mr Sillerman, Jack Soden, Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley. We heard nothing in response. However, we think it fantastic that it was Elvis' FANS who met the challenge. Perhaps it is proper that the Presley family or estate did not pay for the star. As "Memphis Mafia" member Marty Lacker put it, when asked about it, "If the family pays for it, what kind of an honor is that?"
Well, then who paid for Elvis' star in Palm Springs? Greg McDonald, who was Ricky Nelson's manager, paid for the stars for Elvis Presley, Col. Tom Parker, and Ricky Nelson.  All 3 stars were installed on March 26, 1994. http://www.palmspringswalkofstars.com/
How does this work in Hollywood?  A fee of $30,000-to pay for the star itself, the dedication ceremony and maintenance of the Walk of Fame—is required upon selection by the committee. Many stars are sponsored by movie studios or record companies in conjunction with the release of a new movie or recording.  The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce confirmed by email that each star requires a sponsor, and that the sponsor must come up with the fee.  The government of Hollywood or some other imagined entity does NOT pay for it; the sponsor does.  
Honored on February 9, 1960, Elvis was a member of The Walk of Fame's inaugural class, perhaps paid for by Hollywood to promote it's new tourist attraction. He and 99 others were installed as a group. http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/  Another website about Elvis' Hollywood star:  http://www.elvisinfonet.com/rex_twostars.html
What about Nashville? The Music City Walk of Fame is sponsored by Gibson guitar. http://www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame/
Isn't there one in Houston? At the rodeo:  http://www99.rodeohouston.com/concerts/trail-of-fame.aspx
I heard there is a star in Scotland? Yes, the airport in Brestwick did this, because Elvis was there briefly on his way home from the army in 1960.
Don't you think Las Vegas should have paid for the star? There is still this misunderstanding that some local entity should pay for this star or even the whole walk.  The taxpayers (and that includes the casinos) wouldn't agree to pay for it. We have more important things to fund, like schools, highways, and the police.  There is no government or corporation entity designed to provide for local honors like this. The convention and visitors authority does not fund this type of thing from the room taxes it collects. The casinos don't collaborate to provide for any honors. The Walk of Stars is a 'method' for stars to be honored and the only way to fund it is by donation - supporters of the star of interest.
I heard that the LVWOS pays for a star once a year: Liberace, Sammy Davis Jr, and Frank Sinatra were sponsored by the walk, why not Elvis?  Don't you think it SAD that Elvis would have to be sponsored by the walk, not by EPE or his fans?  It's like there was no one around who cared...  It's WONDERFUL that fans rose to the occasion and sponsored their man.
When was the star installed?  September 2008. Where?  Stars are authorized only along 'the strip.' The star was at the Riviera Hotel, on Las Vegas Blvd, the closest casino to the former Hilton (now Westgate).  It was fitting for Elvis' star to be next to those of his friends, Liberace and Sammy Davis, Jr. The famous photos of Elvis and Liberace in 1956 occurred at the Riv.  (This hotel closed in 2015. To learn more, see the Timeline.)
Why isn't the star at the former Hilton? (now Westgate) The walk of stars coordinated with the county commissioners to have access to the sidewalks along Las Vegas Boulevard.  There also is a legal agreement with most casino property owners along the famous "Strip."  The Westgate is on Paradise Road, parallel to the Strip, located a block to the east and so, not an eligible location.
Why was the new 2016 star installed at the Paris?  The Walk of Stars has a current agreement with Paris Las Vegas to accept up to 300 stars to fully utilize their wide sidewalk.  Elvis is with Englebert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, Bobby Darin, LIberace,  and the "Rat Pack."
Don’t you need permission of the estate or family? No, that is not a rule with the LVWOS. Don’t you need a licensing agreement to use Elvis’ name?  No.  The star is a one time use of Elvis' name and that does not require a license. Nothing is being sold to make a profit with Elvis' name.
How have you raised the funds?   This has been all fan generated donations, no corporate support at all.  As it usually happens, the fans get it done!
You raised over $15,000. Where did the extra funds go?  We  donated the extra funds to a local charity, St Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City.
Why did you have an ETA involved in this project? Pete Vallee (aka 'Big Elvis') is a long time friend of this club. He was our 'Celebrity Spokesperson' for this campaign, in Las Vegas.  His show is well known and loved here. We deeply appreciate his support. As far as ETA’s go in general:  We appreciated their support. We challenged all ETA's to make a donation. NOTE: Not that many have donated! See our "Donations" page...
As for the negative feedback concerning ETAs or certain Elvis friends:  We believe that what we did to get a star for Elvis was completely honorable and respectful.  We appreciated support and donations from anyone who knew or loved or appreciated Elvis. The star had been waiting since 2004. It seems you have missed your chance to run the campaign the way you imagine is best.  Our eye was focused on the prize:  A Star for Elvis Presley. If you didn't want to support the star, then that was your choice.