Walk of Fame star for Molly’s 50 years

Molly Meldrum received his very own authenticated Walk of Fame star last night at a glitzy bash to mark his 50 years in Entertainment.

Foxtel presented Meldrum with the star, authorised by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, at a sentimental party at Crown. Meldrum was close to tears when Foxtel’s Brian Walsh announced the gift, following a string of accolades from Sony’s Denis Handlin, Countdown‘s Grant Rule and Hey Hey it’s Saturday‘s Daryl Somers.

There were plenty of ‘war stories’ including having to bring film clips around to Molly’s bedroom for consideration on Countdown, fighting Johnny Rotten, long nights and parties, scooping Madonna interviews when she was under an MTV contract, missing flights, and his ability to pull star A-list interviews with no notice.

In attendance were rock royalty and showbiz legends including Marcia Hines, Ben Gillies, Kate Ceberano, Daryl Braithwaite, Brian Mannix, Dan Sultan, Greedy Smith, Colleen Hewett, Pete Murray, Richard Wilkins, Ross Wilson, Spiderbait, Johnny Young, Dave Gleeson, Nick Giannopoulos, Jacki MacDonald, Denise Drysdale, John Blackman, Pam Barnes, Brian Cadd, Amanda Pelman, Greg Macainsh, Glenn Whatley, Mark Holden, Jon English, Ralph Carr and a video message from Michael Gudinski.

Jessica Mauboy performed a superb rendition of Lynne Randell’s Ciao Baby (Molly told her she simply had to release it) while Russell Morris closed the presentation with the legendary The Real Thing, produced by Meldrum.

The evening was hosted by MAX presenter Chit Chat. Amongst the crowd were also two diehard Countdown fans who came to the show nearly every week. Even Dickie Knee’s voice heckled from the back of the crowd. GOLD FM is also campaigning for a Molly Lane to join city streets honouring AC/DC and Chrissie Amphlett.

Meldrum said he had been inundated with interviews last week following the Prince Charles tribute, hot on the heels of promotion for his autobiography.

“I made the stupid mistake of saying ‘That’s it. Don’t have to talk about that old p***ter boy from Melbourne again. I’m over him for god’s sake!’

“But I was not to know an explosion would happen on Friday because of the Prince Charles thing.”

Meldrum even told one little known secret about the interview.

“Thank god they didn’t have a long, long shot because I was so nervous I pissed my pants. I don’t think His Royal Highness saw that!

“But to have so many people talking about you is very embarrassing. I’m basically still a country boy, and I feel very shy about having to get the acknowledgment.”

Meldrum was the second talent star Foxtel ever signed. It is yet to announce where the Walk of Fame star will be located in Melbourne.

Foxtel screens The Molly Meldrum Story on Thursday November 27 at 8.30pm.