As a bronze bust of the legendary music maker was placed at the Los Angeles landmark, his widow Altheida Mayfield paid tribute to her husband's achievements, telling reporters: "Curtis Mayfield songs are among the most important of the last century.

"That's not just me saying that, Martin Luther King called Curtis' People Get Ready the unofficial anthem of the civil rights movement along with his Keep On Pushing."

Altheida explained: "A Curtis Mayfield song is like a great suit, with the right tailor it'll fit anybody.

"When Curtis was coming up, black music was all dance music love songs, he changed that, my husband took it to another level."

This year marks 50 years since the singer-songwriter first started making music.

He joins the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, James Brown, and John Lee Hooker in the sidewalk gallery dedicated to honouring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, blues and R&B.

The star died in 1999.