'An Incredible Honor': Steven Van Zandt To Join Basie Center Walk Of Fame

RED BANK, NJ — New Jersey rock star and "Sopranos" actor Steven Van Zandt will be the next Garden State icon inducted into the Count Basie Center Walk of Fame, the Basie announced on Thursday.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, Van Zandt will be inducted into the Walk of Fame in Red Bank, joining a growing group of honorees that includes Count Basie himself, Jon Bon Jovi, Darlene Love and more.

The Walk of Fame is part of the Basie Center's Centennial Celebration, and honors artists who have performed at the Basie Center, made an indelible impact on culture and whose contributions reflect the enduring power of the arts.

Permanent keystones along Monmouth Street celebrate performers whose artistry has helped define the Basie Center’s first century while inspiring generations of audiences and artists.

“Stevie Van Zandt’s extraordinary artistry, deep connection to New Jersey and longstanding relationship with the Basie Center make this induction especially meaningful to us,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

“His influence on music and culture is undeniable, and throughout his remarkable career, he has used that influence to create opportunities for others.”

“Stevie reminds us that an artist’s legacy can be measured both by the work they create and the lives they inspire,” he continued. “We are incredibly proud to welcome him onto the Count Basie Center’s Walk of Fame.”

• Read More: Count Basie Center For The Arts Announces 16-Month ‘Centennial Celebration’

Also known as "Little Steven" or "Miami Steve," Van Zandt is a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, activist and author best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, in which he plays guitar and mandolin.

Alongside being a part of the E Street Band, Van Zandt also has his own band called Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as an E Street Band member in 2014.

Outside of his music career, Van Zandt is known for his work portraying consigliere Silvio Dante in the hit TV drama "The Sopranos."

“It is an incredible honor to become a permanent part of the Basie Center, and I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than spending that same night honoring teachers,” Van Zandt said.

“Teachers change lives every day, usually without anybody applauding them for it,” he continued. “This night is about changing that.”

Following his induction into the Walk of Fame on Oct. 17, Van Zandt and TeachRock (the national education nonprofit he founded) will present the inaugural TeachRock Teachers Hall of Fame Celebration, recognizing educators who are using music and culture to engage students and deepen their connection to learning.

The evening’s celebration will be hosted by comedian and actor Pete Davidson and will induct its first class of educators from New Jersey, Nevada and Colorado, alongside a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award honoring educator and activist Mary Morello, to be accepted by her son, musician and activist Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine).

The E Street Choir, comedians Jeff Ross and Ricky “Rickonia” Smith will also make special appearances, and the program will close with a full performance by Kool & the Gang.

The inaugural TeachRock Teachers Hall of Fame class includes:

• Tanya Peterson of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Asbury Park, recipient of the Joy in Learning Award
• Kathy Durham of West Wendover High School in West Wendover, Nevada, recipient of the Trailblazer Award
• Patrick “Mac” McGuire of Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recipient of the Impact Award

Mary Morello will be honored posthumously with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career defined by lasting impact and an unwavering belief in the power of education.

The gala will also honor Kevin Keyes, long-serving TeachRock board member and Honorary Event Chairman.

The Teachers Hall of Fame comes as TeachRock’s work continues to spread through classrooms across the U.S.

Today, more than 80,000 educators use TeachRock’s free, music-integrated curriculum, reaching more than one million students nationwide.

By bringing the music and culture young people already know and care about into the classroom, TeachRock aims to give educators new ways to re-engage students in learning, spark curiosity and create meaningful connections across history, social studies, language arts, science and more.

Funds raised through the evening will support TeachRock’s continued work to provide its curriculum and resources to educators free of charge.

The gala is sponsored in part by Hard Rock. Tickets start at $100 and are available here (VIP and sponsor seats can be found here).

The Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank.

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