Sheila E. makes history as the first female solo percussionist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Born on December 12, 1957, in Oakland, Sheila E. had her first public performance at the age of 5, sharing the stage with her father before an audience of 3,000. This transformative experience, as she revealed, “changed my life” and ignited her passion for music.

Influenced by her talented family members, including her uncle Coke Escovedo, she absorbed the sounds of iconic bands like Santana, Azteca, and The Dragons, as well as renowned artists like Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, the Pointer Sisters, and Sly & the Family Stone.

The star-studded ceremony occurred in front of the Musicians Institute at 6752 Hollywood Blvd., with Grammy and Oscar-winning R&B singer H.E.R. delivering a speech.

The legendary Jimmy Jam hosted the event as a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and star recipient. It is worth noting that Jimmy Jam, along with his songwriting and producing partner Terry Lewis and Sheila E. received Emmy nominations for outstanding music direction in 2020 for their work on “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute To Prince.”

During the ceremony, Sheila E. showcased her musical prowess with a drum performance, accompanied by her father, Pete Escovedo, who was honored with a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Reflecting on her musical journey, she shared childhood memories of listening to legendary musicians like Sly and Larry Graham rehearse, emphasizing how the vibrant Bay Area music scene shaped her artistic path.

Sheila E. made her recording debut in 1976 with jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson on “Yesterday’s Dream.” By her early 20s, she had collaborated with esteemed artists such as George Duke, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross.

Her encounter with Prince backstage after a Bay Area gig in the late 1970s propelled her into the “Purple Rain” recording sessions, where she lent her vocals to the iconic 1984 hit “Erotic City.”

In 1984, Sheila E. released her debut album, “The Glamorous Life,” which soared to seventh place on the Billboard R&B charts and achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The album’s title track also topped the dance club songs chart.

That same year, she received four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, showcasing her incredible talent and earning widespread recognition. The following year, she released her second album, “Romance 1600,” which also attained gold certification, a distinction unmatched by her subsequent albums.

Throughout her illustrious career, Sheila E. has graced prestigious stages like the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Oscars, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Her exceptional contributions to music earned her an Emmy nomination in 2010 for outstanding music direction as the music director of “In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina.”

Reflecting on her journey, Sheila E. shared her aspirations as a young girl, desiring to be the first female astronaut on the moon and win an Olympic gold medal. Although she didn’t become an astronaut, she emphasized her unwavering determination to reach for the stars, choosing music as her path.

With a career spanning from the age of 15, she has achieved numerous gold and platinum albums, symbolizing her remarkable success. “God made a way of getting gold and becoming a star instead,” she concluded, expressing her gratitude for the opportunities music has provided her.