It’s a sad day today as we heard the news of the passing of owner/founder of the iconic Rainbow Bar and Grill and The Whisky a Go Go Mario Maglieri. He died earlier this morning surrounded by his loved ones.
Maglieri, known as the Godfather of the Sunset Strip, opened the Whisky a Go Go on January 16, 1964. Who knows where bands such as Mötley Crüe, and Guns N’ Roses would be without The Whisky, or the Sunset Strip in general? The Whisky is the most famous club on the Strip and the first live music venue to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Where would Lemmy Kilmister’s second home be, if the Rainbow Bar and Grill never existed? These two legendary locations are both due to Maglieri.
The Rainbow shared the following information on their Facebook:
Dear Rainbow friends and family, it is with great sadness to announce the passing of our beloved Mario Maglieri.
Owner and founder of The Rainbow Bar And Grill and The Whisky a Go Go.
He passed this morning while surrounded by loved ones.
We will announce services shortly.
We ask that you please allow the family time to grieve.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Rainbow & Whisky Family
Rest in peace Mario Maglieri, 1924-2017, King of the Sunset Strip pic.twitter.com/TaZeEfg24f
— Whisky A Go-Go (@TheWhiskyAGoGo) May 4, 2017
Very sad to hear this. Thank you Mario Maglieri RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL for the best place in the world https://t.co/z6LiYsckBt
— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) May 4, 2017
A sad day for Hollywood and The Sunset Strip we lost Mario Maglieri owner of @rainbowlive he fed… https://t.co/47cFgY3lK9
— matt sorum (@mattsorum) May 4, 2017
RIP #MarioMaglieri owner and founder of both @Rainbowlive & @TheWhiskyAGoGo — there literally would be no #SunsetStrip without this man. pic.twitter.com/v3vouFQl5u
— Sunset Strip Legends (@sunsetstripgear) May 4, 2017
Our condolences go out towards his family, friends, and loved ones. Tonight we should have a shot of whiskey while we crank up some tunes of bands who got their start performing at the Whisky in his honor.
