The Rainbow - A Documentary About the Historic Rainbow Bar on Hollywood's Sunset Strip 

The 80's and early 90's what a great time to be a teenager.

I am from Berlin and was there in 1992. I went to the Rainbow every night for 6 weeks. Lemmy was there almost every night. I've met Slash there and Black Sabbath and more. What a time to be in your prime!

Can't they make the Rainbow and Whiskey a national monument so it can never be torn down or changed. LOVED THE 70's and 80's. Wonderful Documentary

I gotta say how awesome it is that you spotlighted miguel the chef. You rarely hear about the guys in the background that literally dedicate their lives to making great memories for others 🤘🤘❤️❤️❤️❤️

Mario: "You gotta treat everybody good.....except Manson, fuck that guy!" Lol.

60s,70s & 80s rock bands will forever shine like a Rainbow..'drugs,sex and rock&roll' ..what a documentary..I felt like teenage again..now I m 59yrs old..hell yeah❤

started playing hair guitar in 1985. I was 15. I cannot begin to tell you, or over state, how incredible it was to be a teen and a new guitar player at the beginning of Mtv and the landslide election of hair metal to the throne of rock n roll. It was fantastic. If I had a Delorean, I would definitely go back to the 80s. 👍👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟

Can’t stand music today… Miss the good old days. The small dingy clubs, smell of sweat, liquor, and pot in the air… Crowd surfing… No cell phones. Just Rocking out. What a great time to have been young and alive. I fear it’s never coming back.

Mario was one of the nicest/coolest people I've ever met. I remember him smoking cigars in his back office with friends. Going to the rainbow and making it my home bar for years was one of the best things ever. RIP Mario. We all love you brother

You can't duplicate it. It's rather sad. But at the same time, we could be thankful for being alive for it. It's how you look at it. Thank you to all the rock legends, you'll never die.

Went there for lunch with my wife and teenaged kids when we went to LA on vacation from North Dakota. We had tourist written all over us, our midwestern pallor burnt by the southern CA sun. Had no idea what to expect. The staff was so nice! Manager took us around, showing us the highlights, told us stories. The waitress was as sweet as any Midwestern farm girl. Probably the highlight of the trip. We are going back at the end of the month as will definitely be going back.

I was the bass player of the Band Prowler late 80S / early 90s and we headlined the Whisky A Go Go many times. We would hang out at the Rainbow before the show and have beer and pizza. It was a great time to be alive and in the music industry, also I have played above the Rainbow for a private party and Lemmy of Moterhead stopped by, also played the Viper room, Gazzaris, Key Club. Troubadour , Cat Club

In May of 1980 stopped in Hollywood on trip from Dallas to visit a friend who lived in the San Francisco Bay area. We went to The Rainbow the first night I was there. I saw a born in Denmark, but raised in L.A. blonde and said, "I have to know you!" Well, there went two years of my life. Man, I had some fun with her! Thank you Mario for examining the $100 bill I had an deeming that it was legal tender. BTW... I only bought one drink that night. I had the Over the Rainbow bartender matching shots with me within a short time. We were rock stars from Texas!

Worked the door upstairs in the early eighties! Mario,frank,and Tony! Steady at the front door! Good times!!!

RIP Lemmy and Mario. Motorhead were huge pioneers for hard rock. One of the best bands ever even at his old age I saw him Phil and mickey kill it on stage.

When I lived in Hollywood 1990 - '96, the Rainbow was my home away from home. So many good times... I have enough stories I could write a book. Every now and again I'll reminisce and share some of these stories with my friends up here in Northern California. And sometimes somebody will say they don't believe me? At first I would take great offense to this, because I am telling the truth. But after a while I changed my perspective, now I look at it as a compliment. Because to this person my life has been unbelievable!

I was there when it first opened in '64. I was there when Johnny Rivers got hired, when the Doors were hired, and was there when both were fired. I was there when Gene Autry broke the Champaign bottle at the opening of his hotel that later became the Continental Hyatt House. I was friends with the general manager, Mr. Griffith and the manager, Dennis Rizzo. I knew Mario very well, my first name is Mario too. I hung out at the Whisky and had an apartment right up above it. Rodney Bingenheimer was and still is a friend of mine. Those were some good days.

I love Slash's story about dressing in DRAG to get in. Awesome!

I love how the owner dealt with Charlie Manson😅

I used to frequent this place watching Guns and Roses play before they signed. I fucking love this!

I used to go there in 1974 to 1975 with my band. Saw all the guys in Les Zeppelin. Met Simon Kirk and Mick Ralph’s of Bad Company. Met Killer Kane of New York Dolls and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple. Great memories there for sure. Long live the Rainbow!

Mario, from what he told me personally, served in WW2, was a combat veteran in Belgium in 1944-1945 during the Battle of the Bulge where America lost more soldiers than any other battle. Imagine what our experiences would have been if he had been KIA. One person living opened up thousands of experiences that could only be captured through the doors of the Rainbow.

I am literally shedding a tear for these places and others like it. The loss of these venues is a tragedy. Musicians are like salmon, and they need these tributaries in order to thrive.

This was amazing! What an emotional journey and one that I’d begun to think was just my imagination- I was hanging in LA in ‘82 and a friend said ‘hey, there’s a friend of mine playing at The Rainbow tonight and I promised I would at least swing by, we will just make an appearance. 15 minutes, I swear!’ So we took the bus down and walk in while they’re (of course) on a break. So she walks up to their table and they’re all dressed in these ragged clothes, wearing makeup. A lot of it. Her friend gets up and introduces himself as Nick, and goes around the table, points out everyone else. Gives her a hug, then me, thanks us for coming, and back to the stage they went. We stayed for a song about yelling at the devil or something, but it was a decent song. The guitar player was pretty damn good. We are just standing there watching by the table they had just vacated and there’s still a few guys sitting there, who said ‘you can sit down if you want, they won’t be back for a while.’ So we did. I had been a fan of metal music back then, but I listened. I didn’t really care what anyone looked like, didn’t pay much attention to the albums or sleeves unless the artwork was cool, so I had zero clue who we were sitting with. Turns out it was Joe Perry from Aerosmith, no clue who the two others were. Really nice guy, smoked A LOT, and kept doing bumps behind his shoulder. And the band we’d come to see was Motley Crue, before anyone outside of LA had ever heard of them. Shout At The Devil was the song I’d heard. It’s always been my little ‘brush’ with stardom, and I would always hear these stories about the Whiskey, Roxy, some of the other bars, but every time I heard someone talk about the Rainbow, it was never about a show. So I always thought maybe I’d been remembering incorrectly and this wasn’t the place. Until I watched this, that is. Now I know for sure my memory is still spot on and it’s about time this place had its time to shine. Great place, great time, great memory made.

Rock & Roll will never die and I pray God for these amazing legendary places to never shut down!! You need respect, protection and support as much as any museum in the city does! Much love and gratitude. keep rocking strong!!

I always say give people a hand up not a hand out. This man did exactly what I mean. He helped people reach a goal

I love The Rainbow and the Whiskey. Been going to both 100s of times since the 80's. Mario and Tony were always nice to me and my Italian family. Mike and Mikey have always been cool to all patrons and great down to earth people to carry on the tradition on the Sunset Strip. Long live Rock and Roll!

I used to play guitar in the death metal band Suffocation and every time we played on the sunset strip, we would always go to the rainbow. I love that place and I’ve met a lot of crazy people there.

Oh when music was fun!! So many good times during that span

So iconic that people from around the world (whom have never even been to the states) know it's The cornerstone for Everything rock and the ever evolving culture within. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

Lived in LA from around 86-92 and could regularly be found roaming the Strip. What an amazing time that was.

God Bless The Rainbow!! I’m so grateful these Creatives found a HOME and I pray it will always be a HOME for whom needs it!!! ❤

1:10:07 -The continuing closing of some of Rock's Greatest Venues is a tragedy. The Warehouse, sometimes called the "Fillmore South" opened it's doors in Jan. 1970 and closed it's doors after The Talking Heads did the Warehouse's final show and was demolished in 1989. "Everybody who was anybody" played there, Doors, Zeppelin,Sabbath, Bowie, the Who, Pink Floyd, the Allman Brothers, just to name a small few of the artists. There is a dedicated memorial to the Warehouse located in the general vicinity where it stood. The Warehouse is a legend in itself and I had some of the greatest times of my life there. Don't let this happen to the Rainbow, we're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. 🎸🌈🌈🌈🎸

Played the Whisky with my band back in June, and we all hung out at the Rainbow after the show. It's a mystical place for sure, there's an aura in there that cant be matched. Food was good too and service was great. You can get away with murder in there, especially if you are in a band. Rock and Roll forever, thanks Rainbow!!

I was an 80's east coast kid and used to read every rock magazine there was (you know the ones) to learn more about my favorite bands. The Rainbow and The Whisky were these mythical places that I dreamed to see one day, but never really thought I'd see. I've been to CA many times, and I ALWAYS find a way to hit them both. Last summer, I took my son out there. There's something absolutely magical about The Rainbow and The Whisky. I can't wait to go again.

In 1997 I went to California with some friends of mine that were in a local band in Jacksonville Fl. The guitar and bass players were both from California. I was 19 and was lucky enough to get to go into bars like The Rainbow , Viper Room, The Whiskey A Go Go, and Troubadour. Then in 1998, we went on a 30 tour through the Midwest. They played a show called Pigstock in Clinton Iowa. It was an off date of Ozfest. We got there around 9am and Lemmy was playing the video game thing on top of the bar (we always called them crack machines). He actually invited me to play the game with him. I spent an hour just playing that game and talking to a Rock n Roll legend. After, I got coffee with Dez from Coal Chamber, hung out with everyone from Coal Chamber, and got in an argument with Whitfield Crane. After watching this documentary a year or so ago, it all made sense since Lemmy would just sit there and play that game all night

I played at the Whisky and the Roxy back in the early 90's. I also remember going into the Rainbow one random weekday night and we saw Jack Nicholson bellied up at the bar. That whole stretch of the Strip from the Whisky to the Rainbow will always be so magical!

the 80s are making a come back its great/the son stepping up and doing such an excellent job making his dad and grandfather super proud

Im a 64 yr old woman. I had my 21st birthday party at the Rainbow. I dont remember most of it except I do remember receiving a ceramic box shaped like a Quaalude as a gift. The 80s. It was the best of times and the worst of times. Im clean and sober now but i wouldnt wanna change a thing about that era....

I must visit the Rainbow before i die. Someday i will..

They certainly should idolize him. The money he spent in that bar in his life would have paid cash for 2 clubs the size of the Rainbow. Lemmy's own Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I LOVE it.

Prince being mentioned is awesome!

It's impossible for me to think about a band and front man that sounded amazing live without thinking of Jani. It always amazed me that he sounded the same if not better live. Bless his heart

Nothing like the 70s and 80s people and music 👍👍👍

WOW! This is such a Great and Well put together documentary!

I love they give the grandson such credit its an awesome thing to hear and see !! 🩵🩶🩵🩶💫🌼

***** Great Documentay. Respects to the MAGLIERI FAMILIY .

Blackberry Smoke is the best band I've heard come out since the 2000's began...imo

Steven Riley my favorite drummer from my favorite band La Guns gets a shout out. RIP brother you will be missed

Glad the rabbit hole led me to the Rainbow on this Friday the 13th! For a 50 Yr old who grew up in the wheelhouse of the 80s, this was Excellent!

OUR BAND WILL PLAY THERE ONE DAY......... THATS A DREAM

What a great little film about a great little bar that was planted by a great soul passed down to another 2 generations of family working together creating a space for merriment quenching thirst, hunger & entertainment. I want to go here enjoy a burger 🍔 consume some whiskey 🥃 and see a great band! Rock will never die only those of us who stop seeking out great music do.

this documentary was OMG. loved it. im from sweden and ever since i knew this place existed i wanted to go there. hope i can some day

I'm so jealous of the stuff he had to have seen. All the music acts from the 60's, 70's, and 80's rolling through there. A kid would be in heaven!

The one true Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame!

rock n roll never die legends never die the spirit of rock n roll will never die.

I was lucky to meet Mario and Miguel. I still have the shirt Mario gave me. What an amazing iconic place. Rock & Rock will never Die long live the Whiskey and the Rainbow!

Tears of joy and happiness... this is my era this is what rock n roll was and means and why it'll never die .. we've lost too many legends so let's hope and pray to the rock gods that these kids boys and girls pick up guitars and drum sticks again stop acting like mamas boys and daddy's girls AND TURN THE MUSIC DIAL BACK AND TURN IT THE FUCK UP.... THANK YOU TO THE MAGLIERI FAMILY AND FLY HIGH AND REST EASY ALL YOU LEGENDS ❤

Hails Lemmy!!!!🤘😄 Would have loved to go to the Rainbow in the 80s,OMFGUDDS...so many good hair metal bands

The late 80's were the best, I played the Whisky and hung out at the Rainbow back then. Met a lot of famous rockers, but most memorable is meeting Chris Squire (YES) and having a 4 hr conversation about everything at the Rainbow! RIP Chris and thank you!

Chef started there 43 years ago a busboy, now he's a chef the ownner tells us, full of pride. How is such a stratospheric rise possible in such a short time?

Mario was amazing, spoiled me in infinite ways, gave me my first club gig on Sundays at On the rocks! Miss him, love him grateful for all the amazing minutes he gave me. He had a magic to make everyone feel important! ❤😅 I am sorry to hear that Michael passed last week😢😢. I will support the whiskey and the rainbow until I go!

The Rainbow was a LA Hollywood slice of a chunk of American Rock n'roll . 50 yr. Run on being consequential & of importance.

rip mario!!!!! dopeness incarnate. an absolute sweetheart u too lemmie

All kinds of music will never die because new kids find it and listen to it get inspired and write their own master pieces keeping the groove alive music will always live on

This was my go-to place in L.A. Always so much fun. And no wonder the food is still so good after all these years

Amazing documentary! Thank you so much to everyone involved who help create this. I don't live in America but I went to LA recently and I went to the Rainbow just because of the history.

Man! What an EXCELLENT documentary! I remember when I first heard Welcome to the Jungle and knew that I had never heard anything like it. Good times! The BEST! Miss those days. Nothing like them since.🎸🎸🎸

They couldn't keep Gene simmons out of this? That friggin guy never hung out there. He didn't even drink. But, if he can stick his face in a film... buddy, he will... he just wants to see himself....

Never been to the Rainbow, Hell ive never even been to America but sitting on my sofa here in the UK, for the last hour i feel like i'm there 👌

Life before smartphones was awesome!

A Truly great documentary about the 2 most iconic rock spots on the West Coast, that I didn't know were related. This needs to be forwarded and viewed by all who love rock!🍾🍷🍸🍹🍺🍻🥂🥃

I came to both Rainbow and Whisky last summer from Paris France to feel those rock'n'roll vibes and celebrate being there. I still remember the goosebumps I had the first time I was there couple of years ago, wondering if that was true after years and years of dreaming of that place. The Sunset Strip and those places are history, rock'n'roll history and many rock'n'roll fans from anywhere in the world know it.

Fortunate enough to play as an opening band at a number of these legendary clubs. The load-ins were always very easy, which can sometimes be a hassle. People were easy and nice to deal with… the 70s gave me a start to a very good and continuing career. 🙏

Born to lose live to win.

The one part of this that really is important and decent is around the 47:55 mark of the video. When they are talking about how the owner of the club took them aside and told him that he was overdoing it with his 🍺🍻drinking🍻🍺. How this club owner truly cared about these "kids", or young guys, 20, 21, 22 years old. Breaking out with their first big record deal. Having big-time money for the first time. The fact that he tried to keep them from getting or going off the deep end, showed that he wasn't out for money. He cared about these guys and ladies. Lita Ford mentioned how he'd feed them a bowl of soup when they were down and out. He ALWAYS treated people the same, with RESPECT! Whether you were rich and famous or a down and out rock star looking for your big break, he would give you the same respect, and THAT IS A GREAT MAN! He sees the person. He doesn't see a person's status, bank account, race, ethnicity, gender, or lifestyle, he sees a human being and every human being deserves respect. But if that person again is disrespectful towards him or is disrespectful to his family or his business, he may lose that respect until he learns how to act respectfully and there is NOTHING WRONG with that at all! It's no wonder why this man has the loyalty he has and deserves. It really seems this man, this family, has been helping upcoming musicians for years, decades. Helping them when they were starting out, with a chance and a place to play their music, food when they needed to eat, and once they became "famous" a place that they could still come to and not be overwhelmed. Truly a great man.

Que Historia legal, o Sr. Mario era um Homem bom demais. Saudades dos anos 80. Gratidao por compartilhar esse documentario!

The real Hard Rock Cafe!! Such a true comment!! :)

What a great documentary. loved this so much!!! long live rock and roll!!!

I remember going there to visit my friend who moved to Hollywood in 1986. We went to those places and it was wild. 😊

WHY is Gene Simmons even being interviewed? or even in this doc? Gezz

This documentary was thoroughly entertaining as well as educational. I grew up through the 70's and early 80's as a teen on the East Coast. How amazing it would have been to have been able to experience some of that scene! Thanks for the great Doc !

GREAT MUSIC HISTORY!!!

And just when you forget how F*ckin awesome your youth was there’s this☝🏼 💞👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎶🎵🙌🏻🎵🎶

Use to frequent the Rainbow with a friend of mine that passed awhile back. RIP Eddie Paradise.

Some of this aged well, and some didn't. RIP Lemmy. And wow, Ron Jeremy... so much to unpack there.

I really appreciate Gravitas putting these documentaries on RU-vid. I just wish RU-vid would scale back on their constant commercials!

Had some best times there in my 20’s and my lord it went by so dam fast

Orale Miguel! 🙌🏼😎🤘🏼✊🏼🤎

Gene simmons 1000% As far as artist of yesterday compared to today. Which one's stand the test of time forever

I heard today Steve Riley passed away. Feels great to see him here with his wild stories

Badass rockumentary, representing everything I know and love!!!!! Thank you so very much for this!!!! Long live rock and roll 🎸 baby!!!!!!

From the Monkees to being a main member of those musical legends and misfits, I am astounded by Mickey Dolenz's life.

I work as FOH at a Club in NW Iowa.. I grew up with *this* being on the edge my my Formative years... and with That being said..'m a ROCKER, and my Love for music was developed from what came out of the Sun Set Strip. That will stay with me FOREVER!!

AAn era is definitely gone. I still have my memories though, and I never forget.

holy shit.... this documentary was farking brilliant.. rock on from New Zealand

People like the owners are special legends

RIP MIkael.. every fan knew of the Rainbow when you grew up with hair metal.. it was part of the scene.. and of the whole genre..

Such an awesome documentary, I really enjoyed going back for awhile. RIP Mr. Mario 🙏 and much respect to the family. Rock n Roll Forever! ❤️✌️

Great, great documentary. As a fledgling classical music pianist in my youth, I first turned to rock and roll when I heard the Motown sound emanating from my crappy am radio in the late 60's. Then, I came into this understanding of what rock really meant when my sister gave me a copy of Black Sabbath's paranoid, because she "didn't like it." I was hooked and then I found Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Blue Oyster Cult, Nazareth, Thin Lizzy, Rory Ghalagher, UFO and many more bands - and I could never get enough. The 80's, however, turned out to be the most insane part of my rock awakening. Living in San Diego, I met and worked (in the restaurant industry) with the original singer for Iron Butterfly. It was a transformational time for me and I'm sure many others and the stories...