IK! covered this event in our 39/40 Issue (December, 1988). What follows is the text from our issue, including comments which were relevant at the time regarding the publication of insulting books about John and Yoko.

Photo at left: The Lennon Star Campaign Logo that was created and promoted by Pollack Media Group that helped inspire over 100 radio stations worldwide to wage write-in campaigns to get John a star.

FROM IK! #39/40

Click photo to see larger version with credits.

John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September with hundreds of fans lining the streets, hanging from office windows and singing "Give Peace a Chance." Yoko, who had just come through the horrible experience of having her life with John ripped to shreds in major USA and British magazines, bravely stepped out of a waiting limo, walked to the place where Johnny Grant, the unofficial "Mayor of Hollywood," was introducing the star, and stood before the gathered fans and press.

Yoko couldn't have had a better reception. The fans chanted "We want Yoko" as Grant attempted a speech about John, then cheered wildly as Yoko stepped up to the microphone to say 'thank you' on John's behalf. Many in the assembled crowd wore t-shirts indicating their disapproval of the Goldman fantasyography and many others held up "Imagine" signs.

The ceremony was carried live by The Westwood One Radio Network, including pre-ceremony interviews with Yoko (in the limo with Elliot Mintz), David Wolper and Capitol Record officials. John's Walk of Fame star has been positioned close to the entranceway of the Capitol Records building.

IKer Roberta Dragon attended the Walk of Fame ceremony and filed this report:

September 30, 1988

It was a cool, foggy morning; a perfect way to begin a very special day. Yoko was here in Los Angeles to attend the dedication ceremonies for John's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and I was so excited!

Up at 5:30 AM and on our way! My friend, Paul and I arrived in Hollywood by bus at 9:00 AM, joining the assemblage of 100 fans across the street facing Capitol Records. John's star had been put under around-the-clock security because vandals scrawled the words, 'I buried John' on the newly-installed star three days earlier. Now the star was clean and ready and a large area surrounding it was roped off in preparation of today's event and Yoko's arrival.

Large speakers were playing 'Twist & Shout,' 'Give Peace a Chance,' etc. Fans crowded the windows of the buildings behind us and held enormous signs - 'Give Peace a Chance' and 'We Love You John and Yoko.'

Photo By Iris Schneider-Los Angeles Times

10:00 AM - Quickly the entire block was closed to all traffic. A sign was given by the security people that we could cross the street to the barricade surrounding the area of the star. It happened so fast that when everyone began running, a girl in front of me fell and I fell over her. A true experience of Beatlemania!

Over the remaining 2 and 1/2 hours' wait, the crowd of fans was very peaceful and mellow. It felt very special being there with 1,500 others in support of Yoko. Standing only a short distance from me was a girl who I heard say to someone was a member of IK! Finding her was a pleasure - it was nice having another family member present.

12:30 arrived and it was time for the ceremony to begin. There were fans as far as we could see. There were well over 100 media people. The entire sidewalk was getting more crowded by the minute. There was the media, security people and guards all over, as well as Warner Brothers VIP's. (Warner Brothers had paid the fee to have the star installed.)

After a couple of mike checks, we were all set to go. The event was broadcast live on KNX and the Westwood One network. The crowd was very excited and full of enthusiasm. Johnny Grant came out before the ceremony and called today 'A John Lennon Love-In.' Grant was also the opening speaker. Grant said a few words, then handed the mike over to Bill Welsh, a Hollywood VIP.

Welsh said: 'This is a very emotional day for all of us in the Hollywood community. We recognize his great talent. We miss that great talent. Today we want to take the opportunity to let the world know the great appreciation that we, as the Hollywood community, have for John Lennon. He had an impact that will go on year after year. Into the next century and the century after that. Sadly, we cannot say to him, personally today, how much we appreciate what he contributed; what he gave of himself, so that this world would have more pleasure and enjoyment. What he gave also is his contribution to many worthwhile projects.' (Around in here the mike went dead and the fans began yelling for Yoko who was waiting in a nearby limousine to make her appearance.)

Johnny Grant returned to the microphone and said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, at this point I am going to do a short bit of information on John Lennon.' (The fans were screaming at the top of their lungs, 'We want Yoko! We want Yoko!'..)...'If I were you,' Grant went on, 'I would save my energy for when she comes up. I was about to say, that usually at this spot, we do tell you why we are giving the star to an individual. After talking to all of you today, as I was wandering up and down the aisle, I think you know more about John Lennon than any of us.

'I just wanted to say that we have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for his work. He fought for peace, and for love and for all the other great things he did. And we will leave it at that. As today we introduce a star for John Lennon, ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, please help me and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to extend a warm welcome to John's wife, Yoko Ono. John is a man that will stay always true in her heart. And whose message to the world was Peace and Love. Ladies and gentlemen, Yoko Ono!'

Photo at left - Yoko by John's Star

A big cheer from everyone, including me. Yoko was received very warmly and loudly. Grant, with Yoko standing nearby, went on, 'Yoko, before you speak, there are a couple of things we do want to present to you. One is the city of Los Angeles's beautiful scroll that tells you the story of the Walk of Fame. It's the full history and it's signed by Mayor Tom Bradley and all the councilmen. Yoko, while you're up here with us, I would like to bring to the microphone a man who has served as the executive producer of the film, 'Imagine: John Lennon.' This is one of our most distinguished members of our community in Hollywood. Ladies and gentlemen, David Wolper.'

Wolper: 'This will be very short, I promise you. I'm honored to be here today. And even though I didn't know Lennon personally, I spent the last two years getting to know him better. I did it through working on the film, "Imagine." I was able to see over 200 hours of film; seeing him at home, playing with his son, riding his bicycle, watching him in creative session and much more. There is more personal footage on John Lennon than any celebrity that has ever lived. It's intriguing, it's moving, it's controversial, it's touching and it's revealing. It's a real treasure.'

Grant: 'All right ladies and gentlemen, now I want to hear that enthusiasm that you have been building up. It's a privilege to present, Yoko Ono!'

Hundreds of people, including myself, were trying to see her and take photos. I did get to see her for a couple of minutes. There was a loud cheer of approval, then Yoko spoke: 'Thankyou. I'm very touched right now. I didn't expect such a beautiful, warm welcome. It means a lot to me at a time when the family is going through such trials and tribulations.'

At this point, tears began to flow in the crowd.

Yoko: 'I want to thank many people for allowing this to happen. I would like to thank all of my friends and John's friends for making it happen. John would have been thrilled and he would have loved it. And this star will hopefully go on for many, many centuries to come. For people to come and touch John's spirit. Thank you very much. I love you.'

Photo at right - Yoko signs autographs after ceremony.

A big, big cheer. I am now speechless. This is another dream come true, the dream of actually seeing Yoko. Johnny Grant came back to the mike. He said, 'We will now dedicate the star.' The fans in the back were asking us to sit down, but there was no room as we were scrunched up near the barricades. We started singing 'Give Peace a Chance' while Yoko accepted the star. It was a very moving experience. After Yoko had left, we fans stood for a couple of minutes. After the star was dedicated and unveiled, Johnny Grant finished with, 'Thank you all for being a lovely audience. Peace!'

There it was. It was all over. It's a day to remember for the rest of our lives.

Coming..a news story about the defacing of John's star.