“King of The Sunset Strip,” Mario Maglieri, owner (or co-owner) of The Rainbow Bar and Grill, The Roxy Theatre and The Whisky A Go Go on Los Angeles’ famous Sunset Strip, has died. Maglieri passed away Thursday (May 4th) at the age of 93 due to natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where he’d been for a few weeks after not feeling well from breaking his hip.
“It’s a sad day for Rock n’ Roll… Rest in peace Mario Maglieri! You will always be the King of the Sunset Strip!!!” the Whisky A Go Go’s Facebook page reads with a picture of their marquee displaying “Rest In Peace / Mario Maglieri / King of the Sunset Strip / 1924-2017.”
It’s clear what a huge impact Maglieri had on the LA rock scene. Van Halen, Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, Poison, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Warrant, Skid Row, The Doors, Neil Young and Metallica have all graced the Whisky A Go Go state since it opened in 1964. Many got their start there and signed record contracts after performing on the famous stage.
In 1972, Maglieri, along with Whisky co-founder Elmer Valentine, Lou Adler and others, opened the Rainbow Bar & Grill which has hosted parties for Elton John and has been the site many rock legends, including Lemmy, Slash and Ringo Starr, have been spotted regularly. Lemmy was often found there playing his favorite video game up until his death in 2015.
David Geffen, Elliot Roberts and Peter Asher joined Maglieri, Valentine and Adler to open the Roxy in 1973. Neil Young opened the famous venue with a three night stand. Other luminaries to grace the stage include Chuck Berry, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen and many others.
“It’s a sad day for Rock n’ Roll… Rest in peace Mario Maglieri! You will always be the King of the Sunset Strip!!!”
All three clubs are still open to this day and host a variety of talent from upcoming acts to tribute bands to famous acts. The World’s Greatest Tribute Bands on AXS TV hosted by Katie Daryl tapes at the Whisky regularly.
Maglieri is survived by his wife, Scarlett, his son Mikeal and grandchildren Mikeal, Cheryl and Gina. Billboard reports that a public memorial will be held at The Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunday, May 28th at 1 pm PT.
Many rock icons have shared their condolences on social media.
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
https://twitter.com/Slash/status/860304370096717825
part of the SunsetStrip has died. RIP #MarioMaglieri owner of @Rainbowlive He was kind & such a big part of RocknRoll .Every1 respected him
— Rev.Riki Rachtman (@RikiRachtman) May 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/AXSTVConcerts/status/860303600756674564
