In which year did David Bowie receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? The answer is 1997. Bowie received his star in the recording category on 12 February 1997, at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The honour arrived during a productive late-career period. Bowie had recently turned 50, released the album Earthling and was preparing performances and promotional appearances connected with it. The ceremony recognised his enormous influence as a recording artist, whose career had moved from 1960s songwriting through glam rock, soul, electronic music and experimental 1990s work.
The year is easy to confuse with 1996, when Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Hollywood Walk of Fame honour came one year later. His star is specifically classified for recording, distinguishing it from the Walk of Fame’s other categories, such as motion pictures, television and live theatre. The ceremony also took place decades after Bowie’s acting roles had made him familiar to film audiences.