Los Angeles Club Fixture Mikeal Maglieri Dies, Aged 73

Mikeal Maglieri, a fixture in the Sunset Strip club scene in Los Angeles and owner of legendary clubs Rainbow Bar & Grill and Whisky A-Go-Go, died on Sunday after a reported heart attack. He was 73.

Maglieri, widely regarded as a kind, fun and generous person within the industry, was son of original Whisky A Go-Go and Rainbow owner Mario Maglieri, who died in 2017. He started as a bar back and later took on ownership and management duties of the historic clubs.

An outpouring of condolences and support followed the news of his passing, including from Motorhead, whose frontman Lemmy Kilmister was a regular at the Rainbow.

“Mikeal was not just our friend, but one of Lemmy’s absolute best friends, someone Lemmy spent a lot of his time with at Lem’s home from home, The Rainbow,” Motorhead shared via its social channels.

“Mikeal was a famous staple of the Sunset Strip for decades, and the rock community he built, particularly at The Rainbow, is an enormous legacy. Mikael was always ready to share a story and a laugh with any of the patrons, and his sheer generosity of spirit (plus his love of rock’n’roll) will also be deeply missed.”

“Our condolences go out to his family and everyone that was impacted by this great man.”

A memorial service is planned Nov. 17, with a celebration of life taking place at the Rainbow Bar and Grill at 5 p.m, according to a post from the Whisky