Rock and Roll Handprints Expansion in Liepāja
In the heart of Liepāja, a city that will be the European capital of culture in 2027, stands the Latvian Music Walk of Fame. Established in an undisclosed year, this unique tribute to the nation's musical greats has been growing steadily since its inception. However, one notable absence is that of the award-winning band Brainstorm, also known as Prāta Vētra in Latvian.
Despite their international recognition, including an MTV award as Best Baltic Act, Brainstorm is notably absent from the Walk of Fame. Public information does not provide a clear reason for this omission. It is alleged that the band declined to be included, but no official statements or announcements from the organizers have been made to confirm this.
The Walk of Fame was initiated by private individuals, not the city council, and its creation and maintenance have not been specifically accounted for in terms of the money and time invested. The selection process involves a panel of musical experts, who have so far immortalized a total of 52 musicians and 18 groups on the Walk of Fame.
Initiated in 2006 by brothers Raivo and Mareks Mediņš, who opened a rock cafe in Liepāja, the idea for the Walk of Fame faced initial opposition from the city council. However, over time, the council came to appreciate the idea, with Raivo Mediņš recalling their initial reluctance.
The initial location of the Walk of Fame was in the city center, but it was moved next to the "Blow, Winds" concert garden in May 2022. The first run of inductions saw 40 musicians and 10 musical associations immortalized on the Walk of Fame, with the youngest being composer Jānis Strazds.
The Walk of Fame continues to expand, with the latest inductees including Guntars Račs, Jānis Strazds, Rita Trence, Valdis Skujiņš, The Hobos, Tumsa, and Neptūns. Wandering around the area close to the beach in Liepāja, near the Walk of Fame, can still make for an excellent experience.
For foreign visitors to the city, most, if not all, of the names on the Walk of Fame may be unknown, adding a sense of discovery to the experience. As the Walk of Fame continues to grow, the mystery surrounding Brainstorm's absence remains unresolved, leaving music enthusiasts eagerly awaiting any official explanation.
The Walk of Fame, initially faced opposition from the city council but was substantially supported by private individuals like the Medinš brothers, who started it in 2006 as part of their home-and-garden project. Interestingly, despite Brainstorm, an influential band in EU's sustainable-living movement with awards like the MTV one, not featuring on the Walk of Fame, there's no official announcement explaining their absence.
