Armenian legend Charles Aznavour gets honorary Hollywood Star

PanARMENIAN.Net - French-Armenian singing legend Charles Aznavour, one of the 20th century's most prolific songwriters who remains active at 92, was honored Thursday, October 27 with a Hollywood star presented by California's Armenians, AFP reports.

Aznavour, often dubbed France's Frank Sinatra, said he was "deeply moved" by the recognition, which is not on Hollywood Boulevard's main Walk of Fame but rather consists of a symbolic star dedicated by the Armenian community on a nearby stretch of sidewalk.

"I've been coming to Hollywood for years and I've worked a lot in the United States," Aznavour told AFP. "America is the land of show business."

Aznavour was born in France to Armenian parents survived the Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

"... There's no purpose to genocide as there are always survivors," Aznavour said.

Aznavour has written hundreds of songs in a career that spans more than 80 years, with more than 100 million records sold worldwide.

He remains energetic and said he still feels excitement before crowds. Earlier in October he played Madison Square Garden in New York.

And he said he is not finished. "I always have 40 songs ahead of me. I write every day."

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said plans are in the works to nominate Aznavour for an official Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame.