Famed Mexican singer gets Walk of Fame star

HOLLYWOOD — Mexican musician Marco Antonio Solis received the 2,415th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, honoring his 30-plus years as an influential and best-selling Spanish-language singer and composer.

Solis spoke in Spanish during his acceptance speech, telling fans gathered outside Madame Tussauds Wax Museum on Hollywood Boulevard that getting the star was ``a beautiful reality.''

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he rarely attends Walk of Fame ceremonies, but attended this one because "like all of you, I'm a fan.''

"I'm a fan of his talent,'' Villaraigosa said. "I'm a fan of his artistry. I'm a fan of his humility.''

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As a singer, Solis has "redefined the direction of Latino music throughout the world,'' Villaraigosa said. "As a composer, his songs have graced the repertoire of singers across the globe and musical genres.''

Villaraigosa also praised Solis as "one of the most influential singers and songwriters in the world -- English and Spanish-speaking.''

Zach Horowitz, president and chief operating officer of the Universal Music Group, which has released all of Solis' recordings for the past 30 years, said the artist is responsible for "some of the most beautiful music ever made in any language.''

"He literally can do it all,'' Horowitz said. "As a recording artist, he's a global superstar, selling millions and millions of albums throughout Latin America, the United States and Europe. His music knows no borders. His voice is a gift from God.

"As a songwriter and producer, he's had chart-topping hits for himself and so many other important artists. As a touring artist, he sells out venues around the world, bringing his songs to life and his audiences to their feet at every show,'' Horowitz said.

The ceremony came one day before the start of ticket sales for Solis' recently announced Sept. 26 concert at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, where he will also perform Sept. 25.

Born Dec. 29, 1959, in Ario de Rosales in the Mexican state of Michoacan, Solis began his career at age 6 as half of Los Hermanitos Solis with cousin Joel Solis.

He became a household name in Mexico in the 1970s as the founder and lead singer of Los Bukis, one of the nation's best-selling romantic groups, which would profoundly influence regional Mexican music in the United States and Mexico until it disbanded in 1995.

Solis began a solo career in 1996 with songs in the stylings of ranchero, cumbia, salsa, merengue, bolero, duranguense and reggaeton music.

Solis has had 10 No. 1 singles and two dozen Top 10 hits on the Billboard hot Latin tracks chart, along with gold and platinum albums in the United States, Mexico and Latin America. The multiple Latin Grammy Award winner's next album, "En Total Plenitud,'' is set to be released Oct. 12.