Grammy Award-Winning Hard Rock Innovators Korn to be Inducted into Guitar Center's Historic RockWalk

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Guitar Center is proud to announce the upcoming induction of Grammy Award-winning hard rock innovators Korn, into the retailer's historic RockWalk. The private, invite only induction ceremony is set to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Noon at Guitar Center's Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard. After two Grammy Awards, eleven MTV Video Music Award nominations, and millions of records sold, the members of Korn will take their place amongst fellow rock idols in Guitar Center's RockWalk. Adding to the celebratory nature of the day, Korn will also be releasing their hotly anticipated eleventh studio album, The Paradigm Shift on Oct. 8, 2013.

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"When you look at the names of the other people inducted here all you can say is 'wow!' What an honor!" says Jonathan Davis of Korn.

Adds Munky, "When we started out we were five guys in a garage with a dream. I'd like to think we tried our best to create some great music and an innovative sound but to be honest we are truly humbled to be included here."

"Korn is about as innovative and influential as they come," said Dave Weiderman, Chairman of Guitar Center's RockWalk. "They have been purveyors of metal's progression since their formation, and are even credited with creating the Nu Metal subgenre. For these reasons, and many more, Korn is exactly the type of band the RockWalk is here to honor."

Guitar Center's RockWalk is dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of Rock 'n' Roll, Blues and R&B. As the newest RockWalk inductees, Korn's handprints will reside alongside the handprints, signatures, and faces of other equally accomplished musicians and innovators such as Eric Clapton, George Martin, Jimmy Page, Iron Maiden, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, Van Halen, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Run-D.M.C. and Queen, among numerous others.

ABOUT KORN

Purveyors of heavy music's progression since forming in Bakersfield, CA in 1993, Korn has become one of the most influential entities that the genre has ever seen. Their legendary self-titled debut album took the world by storm with its schizophrenic metallic catharsis. Immediately, they earned a place in the hearts of fans across the globe. Their third offering, 1998's Follow the Leader, bridged the gap between hip hop and heavy metal seamlessly and solidified them as inspirational innovators. Numerous acts "followed the leader," and heavy metal underwent a renaissance in the early 2000's with Korn at the forefront. Slipknot, Staind, Disturbed and countless others nodded to the group as an inspiration. In addition, they've garnered Grammy Awards for Best Short Form Video for "Freak on a Leash" and for Best Metal Performance for "Here to Stay."They are now gearing up for their new album, The Paradigm Shift, which marks the emotional return of co-founding guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. The album also serves as the follow-up to the band's 2011 critically acclaimed trend-setting dubstep metal hybrid, The Path of Totality. The Paradigm Shift is set to be released on Oct. 8, 2013.

ABOUT GUITAR CENTER'S ROCKWALK

Guitar Center's RockWalk became a reality on November 13, 1985 with inaugural inductions including Stevie Wonder, Eddie Van Halen, Creator of the Gibson Les Paul guitar Ted McCarty, Martin Guitar founder C.F. Martin III, Marshall Amplifier creator Jim Marshall. At last, the Rock 'n Roll world could claim for itself an institution every bit as compelling as Mann's Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Located at Guitar Center's Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard, all Guitar Center RockWalk inductees are chosen solely by past honorees. In this way, inductees are elected by real "music authorities," those who would best be able to gauge his or her contribution to music history.

ABOUT GUITAR CENTER

Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 251 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

SOURCE Guitar Center