LAS VEGAS — "If you believe in dreams, they do come true," Society of Seven leader Tony Ruivivar said Tuesday, moments after the group became the first honoree of Asian descent to earn a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

The honor capped a 40-year-plus journey for the SOS, which had roots in Shanghai, found early work in Las Vegas and built a solid show foundation with a 32-year residency in the Islands before going full circle by re-rooting in the gambling capital, where the SOS now performs a Wednesday through Sunday show at the Flamingo Las Vegas' main showroom.

Under Ruivivar's leadership, with major support from co-founder and resident clown Bert Sagum, the SOS has emerged as Las Vegas' No. 1 matinee act over the past two years. It was four decades ago that the act, formerly dubbed The Fabulous Echoes, performed in the Thunderbird lounge in front of a supporter who made a difference: CBS variety-show king Ed Sullivan.

These are glory days again for SOS, which learned during the awards ceremony that it would be given the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' Lifetime Achievement Hoku Award in the spring, when HARA marks its 30th anniversary. The announcement came from Frannie Kirk, Outrigger entertainment director, who shared a message from Hoku executive Marlene Sai, about the impending salute.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who admitted he became an SOS fan while attending a show at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom as part of his 'Iolani School prom, presented all the members of the band with a key to Honolulu "so you can return anytime."

An opportunity looms in 2007, when the SOS plans to stage a two-night concert series at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

A flock of notables jammed the Flamingo showroom to witness the ceremony and cheer on Ruivivar, Sagum and the rest of the group — Hoku Low, Roy Guerzo, Wayne Wakai and new members Marc Escueta and Vince Mendoza. Former SOSers Don Gay, Jun Polistico, Alfredo Romero, Roberto Nievera, Eddie Ramirez, Mitch Morala and Randy Abellar were in the house. Ditto, Richard Natto and John Salvatera, of the Waikiki-based Society of Seven Las Vegas spinoff group.

Other celebs included Little Anthony of The Imperials, LaMonte McLemore of the Fifth Dimension, Sonny Charles and Sweet Louie of The Checkmates, Billy Hinsche of Dino, Desi and Billy, Bubba Knight of Gladys Knight & The Pips, Onofrio Colucci of the "O" show at the Bellagio, Gerald Ishibashi of Stonebridge Productions, Peter Revene (who manages Lance Burton), "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" host Tony Sacca, Breck Wall of "Bottoms Up," SOS choreographer Buddy Schwimmer, SOS designer Harvey Krantz, former manager Don Kelley, Hawai'i costumer Kathe James, former techie Benji Labradour, producer Mendrei L. Leelin and publicist Lisa Josephsohn. Jason Kina, a Hawai'i entrepreneur, was among those who brought lei for the guys and for featured songbird Lani Misalucha.

"You are the greatest ringmaster," ex-manager Kelley said of Ruivivar's taskmaster skills in keeping the SOS dream alive.

Don Marrandino, president of the Flamingo and Harrah's Las Vegas, acknowledged the SOS' drawing power.

It's estimated that the SOS has played in front of more than 3 million people, in 25,000 shows, which required 60,000 hours of rehearsals to produce more than 100 editions of the show. ...

And that's Show Biz...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.