Sheila E. will make history on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the first female solo percussionist to receive a star. The unveiling ceremony, set for Wednesday, will feature notable speakers including Ringo Starr. Sheila Escovedo, the talented musician, expressed her gratitude and excitement for this prestigious award, stating that it is a moment she will cherish forever.
The ceremony, taking place at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Musicians Institute on Hollywood Blvd., will also include speeches from Grammy and Oscar-winning R&B singer H.E.R. and emcee Jimmy Jam, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and star recipient.
Jimmy Jam, along with his songwriting and producing partner Terry Lewis, and Sheila E., were Emmy-nominated for outstanding music direction in 2020 for their work on “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute To Prince.”
The Walk of Fame’s website, walkoffame.com, will stream the entire ceremony. Sheila E. will captivate the audience with a drum performance, accompanied by her father, Pete Escovedo, who received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
The star that Sheila E. will receive is the 2,759th since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961, adding to the initial 1,558 stars.
Following the unveiling ceremony, at 8 p.m., Sheila E. will treat fans to a concert at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood, titled “Sheila E and Friends.” This concert will be a celebration of her star’s unveiling.
Born on December 12, 1957, in Oakland, Sheila E. had her first public performance at the age of 5. She shared the stage with her father in front of a crowd of 3,000, an experience that she describes as life-changing.
Her musical journey was influenced by her uncle Coke Escovedo, who was a percussionist for the rock band Santana and Latin rock band Azteca. Additionally, her uncle Mario Escovedo was the front man for The Dragons and had connections with renowned musical groups like Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, the Pointer Sisters, and Sly & the Family Stone.
Sheila E. made her recording debut in 1976 with jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson on the album “Yesterday’s Dream.” By her early 20s, she had already collaborated with George Duke, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross. She also joined The George Duke Band in 1977.
A pivotal moment in Sheila E.’s career came when she met Prince backstage following a Bay Area gig in the late 1970s. This encounter led to their collaboration on the “Purple Rain” recording sessions, including her vocals on the iconic 1984 song “Erotic City.”
In 1984, Sheila E. released her debut album, “The Glamorous Life,” which achieved seventh place on the Billboard R&B charts and received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The album’s title track also reached the top spot on the dance club songs chart.
Sheila E. received four Grammy nominations in 1985, including best new artist. Although she didn’t win, her talent was recognized with nominations for best pop vocal performance, female, best rhythm & blues song, and best R&B instrumental performance. She followed up with the release of her second album, “Romance 1600,” in 1985, which also achieved gold certification.
In addition to her successful music career, Sheila E. has performed at prestigious events such as the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Oscars, and the Kennedy Center Honors. She received her first Emmy nomination in 2010 for outstanding music direction as the music director of “In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina.”
Reflecting on her journey, Sheila E. revealed that while she initially aspired to be an astronaut or Olympic gold medalist, she ultimately chose music as her path to stardom. With numerous gold and platinum albums to her name, she feels blessed to have reached for the stars and found success in the world of music.
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