Multi-Platinum Latin Rockers Mana to be Inducted into Guitar Center's Historic RockWalk Sept. 17, 2012

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Guitar Center is proud to announce the upcoming induction of multi-platinum and Grammy winning Latin rockers Mana, into the retailers' historic RockWalk. The induction ceremony, which is by invitation only, will take place on Monday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. at Guitar Center's Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120904/LA67008 )

"Mana has made a huge impression on the Latin rock scene over the years, that it's only right they take their place on Guitar Center's RockWalk," said Dave Weiderman, Chairman of Guitar Center's RockWalk. "Guitar Center is committed to supporting and inspiring musicians and we are proud to recognize a group that has made such a contribution to the L.A. community and beyond."

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 inductee, Mana'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.

"It is an honor to be included in such a renowned group of musicians," said Fher Olvera of Mana. "Having our handprints immortalized on Guitar Center's RockWalk will allow us to continue to be a part of Los Angeles – our second home - for generations to come."

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 chosen by real "music authorities," those who would best be able to gauge his or her contribution to music history.

As the world's largest retailer of musical instruments, Guitar Center is dedicated to supporting the global music community and providing musicians with opportunities to get their music heard. Guitar Center's musicianship programs include the award winning music television series Guitar Center Sessions, the weekly radio show Connections Made By Guitar Center, and the acclaimed podcast series At: Guitar Center with Nic Harcourt as well as various competition based programs such as Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record, Guitar Center Singer-Songwriter, Guitar Center Drum Off, Guitar Center On-Stage and Guitar Center's Battle of the Blues.

About Mana

 Billboard magazine has heralded Mana as "the most widely sold and heard Latin band in the world. Having formed in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1986, the quartet of Fher Olvera, Alex Gonzalez' Sergio Vallín and Juan Calleros have gone on to be global ambassadors for the Latin Rock genre, while selling over 30 million albums.  To date, Mana has been recognized by their musical peers with four GRAMMY and seven LATIN GRAMMY Awards.  Here in the United States, Mana holds and impressive six #1 albums and nine #1 singles (more than any other band in the history of Billboard's "Hot Latin Songs" chart). Mana is also unquestionably the top-drawing all-Spanish language concert band in the U.S. – regularly selling out arenas across the country. In fact, the band holds the record for the most shows sold-out by a single act in the history of STAPLES CENTER in Los Angeles (11).  The band's ability to fill the famed venue for seven nights on just their last tour alone saw the New York Times declare that the legendary band from Mexico has "redefined 'crossover' in Latin pop"

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 230 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