In September, the Sunset Strip welcomes back music icon Cherie Currie to rock the Rainbow.
If you were lucky enough to catch Cherie Currie‘s electrifying performance during “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go-Go back in 2023, you already know the woman doesn’t simply perform Runaways songs—she detonates them.
For a couple glorious hours, the Sunset Strip wasn’t in 2023 anymore. It was 1977. The air felt smoky. The guitars sounded louder. The ghosts of platform boots, leather jackets, satin corsets, and teenage rebellion seemed to be hanging around the Whisky like they never left. And honestly, where else could this happen?
CHERRY BOMBS AWAY: Cherie Curry at the Whisky, 2023. 🍒
One minute you’re dodging tourists taking selfies outside the Whisky, and the next you’re watching the original voice of one of rock’s most influential all-female bands tear into songs that helped change music history.
Now, Currie is returning to her old Sunset Strip stomping grounds when she co-headlines the Rainbow Bar & Grill’s annual parking lot party on September 6 alongside Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. That’s right—the voice of The Runaways and the voice of “Round and Round” sharing a stage on the Sunset Strip. Somewhere, every cassette tape from 1984 is smiling.
Buckcherry’s hard-hitting first single from SoCal band’s upcoming album sets the stage for a high-voltage summer.
If Buckcherry’s scorching new single, “Roar Like Thunder,” is any indication, this summer is about to be a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll inferno. The band dropped the track online earlier this week, along with the announcement that their 11th studio album—also titled Roar Like Thunder—will hit on June 13. And if this lead single sets the tone, expect a high-voltage assault of pure, unfiltered Buckcherry.
True to form, “Roar Like Thunder” is a riff-fueled adrenaline rush. Guitarists Stevie D. and Billy Rowe lock into a relentless groove, trading razor-edged licks, while the rhythm section—Francis Ruiz’s thunderous drumming and Kelly LeMieux’s deep, swaggering bass lines—keeps the engine roaring at full throttle. At the helm, singer-songwriter Josh Todd delivers a ferocious vocal performance that practically spits fire.
The band also unleashed a no-frills, high-energy music video directed by Tom Flynn. Shot on a rooftop with a gorgeous panoramic view of Downtown L.A., the clip captures Buckcherry doing what they do best—bringing the heat, no gimmicks necessary.
Fans won’t have to wait long to experience the madness live. Buckcherry kicks off their Roar Like Thunder tour on April 11 in Redding, California, joining forces with glam-metal Sunset Strip stalwarts Steel Panther.
Faster Pussycat, Michael Monroe to help welcome in spring at Rainbow’s 53rd annual ‘Parking Lot’ party.
On April 13, the Sunset Strip will reverberate with an intensity unmatched by any other night when the iconic Rainbow Bar and Grill kicks off its 53rd Annual Party in the Parking Lot. A mainstay of Southern California’s rock ‘n’ roll culture, this legendary event is a haven for diehard metal enthusiasts who crave their music blistering and their beers ice-cold.
The party will once again feature an all-star roster of Sunset Strip stalwarts, with the notorious Faster Pussycat leading the charge. HanoiRocks frontman Michael Monroe will also take the stage after kicking off his first tour in nine years on April 2. The glam-rock icon shares the bill at the 53rd Annual Party in the Parking Lot with powerhouse support acts such as enduring Hollywood hard rockersOdin, legendary Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas, which is on a special West Coast mini-tour, and red-hot L.A. rockersBlaze Francisco.
The excitement begins early, as throngs of metalheads, clad in vintage band tees and studded leather, begin to gather before the first note is struck. Expect a line stretching down the Sunset Strip, from the Rainbow all the way to the Whisky A Go-Go, long before the event officially kicks off at 1 p.m. But trust us, it’s worth the wait. Inside the event, which spills into the Rainbow and Roxy’s back parking lots, you’ll be transported back to 1985, when big hair and denim ruled the day. Amid the haze of ever-present smoke, expect to see rockers rocking their tightest Poison t-shirts, looking as if they’d just walked off the set of The Decline of Western Civilization, and others whose leather-clad looks scream Shout at the Devil-era Motley Crue.
The event is a veritable who’s who of both local rockers and rock legends, alongside the ever-present faces you’ve seen at Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood or packed into the Whisky’s raucous crowds. It’s a celebration not only of music but of community, a gathering of like-minded souls united by a love for the loud, the fast, and the unapologetically rebellious.
The atmosphere at Rainbow’s Party in the Parking Lot is always electric — yet remarkably welcoming. It’s a chance to revel in the camaraderie of the metal community, to relive the glory days of ’80s rock, even if just for a single afternoon. No need for a hot tub time machine to experience it; all you need is the right attitude and a thirst for chaos.
Admission to the event is free, but guests must prepay for two drinks upon entry. Trust us, the party’s about to get LOUD!
WeHo prepares to give the Roxy and Rainbow Bar & Grill the iconic status these rock institutions deserve.
The City of West Hollywood’s Historic Preservation Commission will recommend that the City Council approve a Mills Act Contract for two of the city’s most rockin’ cultural icons: the Roxy Theatre and the Rainbow Bar & Grill, both located on the world-famous Sunset Strip’s “Rock Row,” at 9009 and 9015 Sunset Boulevard, respectively.
The Historic Preservation Commission is dedicated to preserving historic structures that represent WeHo’s unique cultural and social heritage. “Protecting these landmarks helps deepen public understanding of the city’s past and ensures that future generations can appreciate its rich history,” says the Commission on its website.
Rock Venues Land a Mills Act Contract
A Mills Act Contract is a legal agreement between the owner of a historic property and the municipality. It allows for lower property tax rates in exchange for the owner’s commitment to undertake specific rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance work. To qualify, a property must be listed in a historic national, state, county, or city register, be privately owned, and not be tax-exempt.
The Roxy Theatre and the Rainbow Bar & Grill meet these criteria, being listed in West Hollywood’s Register of Cultural Resources and privately owned.
We’ve got your go-to list for the hottest spring and summer shows – it’s time to rock, L.A.!
Get ready for a scorching summer of rock and roll with our “Hot Groove Summer” 2024 concert guide for the Greater Los Angeles area. From No Doubt to Cinderella, L.A. Guns to Pat Benatar, the world’s greatest rock and heavy metal legends are taking over L.A. County’s hottest venues in the coming months. So, shake off the recent rains and get ready to pump your fists all summer long. We’ve got your go-to list for the hottest spring and summer shows – it’s time to rock, Southern California!
Experience an electrifying night of hard rock hits when Tom Keifer, the powerhouse behind Cinderella, brings his gritty bluesy sound and solo hits to the 90210, showcasing his diverse talent from acoustic tracks to hard rock. Joining the bill are the legendary L.A. Guns, veterans of the Sunset Strip. From “Ballad Of Jayne” to “Never Enough” and “Sex Action,” L.A. Guns always deliver a high-octane performance.
The O.C.’s favorite sons (and daughter), No Doubt, will no doubt captivate the SoCal audience at the band’s reunion shows in Indio. Groove to the beats of “Don’t Speak” and “Just a Girl” as you relish in the hit-making band’s pop-ska classics .
All-star rock-and-roll lineup at ’Ultimate Jam Night’ had fans braving L.A.’s rain to get rocked!
We’re all about supporting the local arts community, and wow, it certainly paid off for us earlier this week at the Whisky A Go-Go’s “Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood.” Tuesday’s torrential rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the dedicated fans who braved the storm to get their faces rocked—including by a stellar Jon Bon Jovi impersonator!
“Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood” is a free live music showcase happening every other Tuesday and featuring a themed night of non-stop rock hits performed by world-class musicians.
Celebrate the timeless influence of rock’s most revered guitarist on his birthday.
Today is the birthday of the pride of Pasadena, who was born on Jan. 26, 1955 (in Amsterdam), when the world welcomed Edward Lodewijk Van Halen.
After leaving an indelible mark on music history, the iconic 65-year-old Van Halen guitarist died of cancer on Oct. 6, 2020 at Santa Monica’s St. John’s Hospital, which is where fellow guitar legend Randy Rhoads was born (Dec. 6, 1956).
EVH delivering a solo at the Forum, around 2012.
To honor EV’s unparalleled influence, we’re sharing evanescent tributes that popped up across Los Angeles circa 2020. Although most of these memorials have faded away, we’ve captured their essence to share with fellow Van Halen fans.
So, crank up some VH tunes today and relish in the musical legacy!
Artist Robert Vargas’ mural at Guitar Center SunsetGraffiti art covers a trash bin on the Sunset Strip just outside the Whisky.EVH graffitied bin outside the Whisky A Go-Go, 2020.Continue reading EDDIE’S INFLUENCE→
A big bright yellow part of L.A.’s music history has been whitewashed. The location of the former Tower Records Sunset is now a Supreme store, which opened last week. Sure, it’s cool to see a halfpipe skate ramp inside of what was formerly the famous record shop, but we already miss seeing the L.A. music landmark.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Ace Frehley is bringing his KISS and solo hits to the Whisky, Feb. 27.
Get set to rock and roll all night when iconic former KISS guitarist AceFrehley gets back in the West Hollywood groove with a headlining gig at the Whisky A Go-Go on February 27.
As we said back in 2017 when he headlined the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, the founding KISS member is really in his element when he’s commanding the stage as a frontman. He puts on an exciting two-hour set of non-stop rockers that include his own classic KISS, Frehley’s Comet, and solo hits.
During his set, Frehley covers many KISS classics, like “Rocket Ride,” “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me” as well as solo hits like “Rock Soldiers” and his cover of “New York Groove” from his 1978 KISS solo album.
Frehley’s equally famous smokin’ Gibson guitar will also make a guest appearance along with a few guest artists to be announced soon.
The Whisky A Go-Go is located 8901 Sunset Boulevard at Clark Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $65.
Whisky A Go-Go is getting a new look, and the Sunset Strip is welcoming a ‘Rock Walk of Fame.’
Since the Whisky A Go-Go set up business at the corner of Sunset and Clark back in 1064, the two-story club has famously sported a number of shades and exterior looks, from the groovy purple and yellow scheme in the ‘70s to the more recent red and black design.
And of course, the billboard above the club has been advertising new album releases since the 60s. At one time or another everyone from Alice Cooper to Motley Crue has been featured on billboards above the club.
MODERN ROCK; Whisky A Go-Go, November 2022.
Now, the world-famous club and the Sunset Strip are about to get a modern makeover.
Earlier this week, the West Hollywood City Council approved the conversion of the club’s static billboard into a double-sided digital billboard.
CLASSIC ROCK: Whisky A Go-Go, April 1972.
The mammoth billboard’s origami-inspired 500- and 1,000-square-foot screens are designed to evolve as motorists and pedestrians pass the billboard. Either way, it’s certainly going to get the attention of crosstown traffic at Sunset and San Vicente.
DOWN AT THE WHISKY: Motley Crue overlooking Sunset, summer 2005.
The billboard is part of a new agreement between the Whisky and the city, which expects the digital billboard to bring in over $60 million in revenue over the next 30 years.
Green Day and Riverdale cover the Whisky, fall 2017.
The best part is that the billboard is going to lead to a rock ‘n’ roll tribute on the Sunset Strip. The contract stipulates that the city will use nearly $350,000 to add a commemorative “Rock Walk” honoring the music legacy of the Sunset Strip.
Sunset Strip rock landmarks Rainbow and Whisky set to pay tribute to metal legend Ronnie James Dio, July 7 and July 19.
The immortal Ronnie James Dio would have hit the big 8-0 on July 10, and to celebrate, the Rainbow Bar and Grill is celebrating with a rockin’ party dedicated to the late, great singer-songwriter, who once famously fronted a band named after this very restaurant.
On July 7, the Rainbow is hosting “Dio at the Rainbow in the Dark,” a record release celebration in honor of Rhino Records’ 40th anniversary remixed and remastered edition of Dio’s spectacular 1983 solo debut, Holy Diver. The classic rock masterpiece is being released on three formats: digital, vinyl, and as a two- and four-disc CD set.
Ubiquitous Sunset Strip headbanger and radio personality Eddie Trunk is emceeing the event, which is happening from 7-9 p.m. in the upstairs bar, where the evening is sure to be dominated by the glorious sounds of Dio’s timeless classics rockin’ the roof off of the Rainbow.
The Rainbow Bar and Grill is located at 9015 Sunset Boulevard. The “Dio at the Rainbow in the Dark” event is free.
One week after the Rainbow’s Dio celebration, the Whisky A Go-Go is hosting a night honoring the heavy metal legend on July 19, with the club’s biweekly Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood event set to crank out career-defining classics spanning Ronnie James Dio’s career, from Holy Diver to 2004’s Masters of the Moon as well as scorchers like “Man On the Silver Mountain,” “Gambler, Gambler,” and “Rock ‘n Roll Children” from his time in Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Elf, and Heaven and Hell.
The Whisky is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard at Clark Street in West Hollywood. Ultimate Jam NightHollywood’s Dio tribute will kick off at 10 p.m. and is free to those 21 and over, and $10 for those under.
Sunset Boulevard welcomes rockin’ resurgence thanks to Rainbow’s ‘Party in the Parking Lot’ and Whisky’s tireless championing of live rock n’ roll.
For almost two long, agonizing years, the world-famous Sunset Strip’s “Rock Row” seemed like a ghost town because of the pandemic and it’s stranglehold on the fears of the general public.
But once the mask debates subsided and the world got back to semi-normal, the sounds of authentic rock and roll began once again filling the Sunset Strip with a buzz that has kept the scene alive since then, courtesy of some of the coolest concerts to ever hit WeHo post-pandemic.
Cherie Currie delivering timeless classics by The Runaways at “Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood.”
The Whisky A Go-Go and RainbowBar and Grill should be commended for keeping the flame of rock n’ roll alive through some challenging times by hosting recent free shows at the Whisky, with Tuesday’s Jam Night, and at the Rainbow with April’s “Party in the Parking Lot” with Ratt‘s Stephen Pearcy, Steel Panther, and Hollywood legends Pretty Boy Floyd.
Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood’s Randy Rhoads tribute concert was a family affair at Whisky A Go-Go, with special guests Kelle and Kathy Rhoads making a guest appearance.
The Whisky’s long-running Tuesday night showcase Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood, which has hosted tribute nights dedicated to everyone from Metallica to Motley Crue, set it sites on the iconic music of Randy Rhoads on March 15.
The evening paid tribute to Rhoads’ influential guitar work as well as the songs he had co-written while a member of Ozzy Osbourne‘s band and Quiet Riot.
The show featured Ozzy’s greatest hits performed by amazing tribute performers and rockin’ guest artists covering two hours of the greatest heavy metal classics ever written.
Return of Rainbow’s ‘Backyard Bash’ brought classic metal back home to the Sunset Strip.
It’s been a hell of a wait but on Sept. 5, the Rainbow Bar and Grill welcomed back all the heavy metal you could handle with the triumphant return of its annual “Backyard Bash,” an all-day live concert event featuring national and local bands cranking out heavy metal hits in the parking lot behind the Roxy and Rainbow.
After having its spring events canceled twice and their fall event once, the Sept. 5 event marked the first time the Rainbow hosted a rock n’ roll party of this magnitude. And it did not disappoint.
Gilby Clarkcovering the Rolling Stones at Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood.
Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood officially confirms it’s coming back to the Sunset Strip in August!
It has been a long couple of months trying to get used to some kind of balance of a normal life during this crazy corona situation that’s happening around the world. It’s been especially tough in Los Angeles County, where the mask mandate just seems to fluctuate with the wind.
However, I received some great news recently as I was walking down Sunset and passed the Whisky A Go-Go as it was hosting a surprise show by Yungblud.
I spotted Whisky’s owner and had to ask about the return of Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood, which is the greatest thing to happen to the world-famous club since The Doors was its house band. Mikael Maglieri confirmed that it was “definitely coming back, most likely in August.”
Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes showed up to Jam Night on his motorcycle.
Then, a short time later, the official Instagram page of Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood confirmed that the night is coming back on August 24. Nothing could be more awesome than hearing that news, because that one single night is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen of the Whisky A Go-Go in my life, and I have seen plenty of shows there by the biggest artists on the planet going back as far as the awesome Eighties.
