Rodney on the Walk Update

As we wrote earlier this month, fans of legendary KROQ dj and "Mayor of Sunset Strip" Rodney Bingenheimer are pushing the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to award him a star on the walk of fame (see the official "Rodney on the Walk" site here.

The Hollywood chamber recently announced this year's star honorees... and unfortunately, Rodney didn't make the cut. (KOST's "Mark & Kim" are getting one, however, as is radio newsman Dan Avey and radio vet Wink Martindale.)

A member of the "Rodney on the Walk" team emailed Franklin Avenue and let us know they're ready to try again in 2006:

We had the money in time, but they didn't choose Rodney this time. We even called the mayor of Hollywood to ask about it and he said "Don't give up on your guy. There are a lot of applications each time, and sometimes it takes many years to get accepted. One of the ones that got accepted this year has been applying for 10 years!!

We're working with KROQ to decide how to proceed and hoping to roll over the funds to next year.

We're also planning to use the comments that were sent in with donations this year for next year's application - as proof of the effect Rodney has had on so many people.

The "Rodney on the Walk" campaign raised the $15,000 submission fee after KROQ's Kevin & Bean show held a mini-radiothon on June 17. Deborah Harry, Joan Jett and John Doe of X called in, and listeners quickly pledged enough money to cover the star's cost.

Rodney, of course, recently earned a little bit more notariety thanks to the documentary "Mayor of Sunset Strip," which chronicled his bizarre spot in rock 'n roll history. In the 70s, he helped run Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco, an L.A. club where Bowie, Iggy Pop, T.Rex, Suzi Quatro, Led Zeppelin, and Sweet were all regulars. And on his KROQ show, which he has hosted since 1976 (and which now subsides in a graveyard Sunday night slot), he helped popularize Blondie, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Go-Go's, Nina Hagen, The Cramps, The Clash, The Cure, The Smiths and plenty others.