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EXCLUSIVE: Richard Branson’s Virgin Produced is putting together The Whisky A Go Go, a drama series project about the famous Sunset Strip nightclub targeted for premium cable. Described as a rock ‘n’ roll twist on Casino and Boardwalk Empire, Whisky A Go Go will follow the story of the Maglieri family’s rise to power on the Sunset Strip as well as the stories of the artists and musicians who rocked the stage and the youth culture that called the club their home through the decades.
The Sunset Strip Whisky, which opened in January 1964, was founded by Mario Maglieri, Elmer Valentine, Phil Tanzini, Shelly Davis, and attorney Theodore Flier. The Maglieri family has owned and operated the club for three generations, and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in January 2014.
Virgin Produced, the film and television development, packaging and production arm of the Virgin Group run by Branson’s partners Jason Felts & Justin Berfield, is the first company that has been able to secure rights to the Whisky A Go Go, with the two companies’ strong music ties playing a role in making the deal. On Whisky A Go Go, Virgin Produced has teamed with Brooklyn Weaver’s Energy Entertainment, Mozy Mosanko, Chris Tschupp and Colton Mitchell. Talks are underway with potential showrunners and directors, and the goal is to pitch the project to pay cable networks within the next month.
Since opening in 1964, the Whisky A Go Go has been one of the world’s most prominent rock venues. Its stage has served as a launching pad for such music icons as Johnny Rivers, The Doors, Jimmy Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Buffalo Springfield, Love, Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses. The Whisky A Go Go also served as a safe-haven for the West Coast Motown revolution in which artists like James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and Gladys Knight and The Pips were free to be musically and socially creative.
Since its 2010 launch, Virgin Produced has co-produced features Limitless, Immortals, Movie 43 and the upcoming 21 & Over through its deal with Relativity Media. On the TV side, the company has done several unscripted pilots.
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ha. A LOT of useless none writing producers on this one. . . .
I’m just curious about the music licensing. No one will want to see this if they can’t get music, and the Doors, Janis Joplin, etc. That’s going to be VERY expensive. I’d love to see the series though.
My Mom worked for Mario at the Whisky in 1966. She has many stories about that era. Mario is the greatest and we still go by and see him once in awhile. This will be a great show!!
I hear good things about some of the writers / directors that will be involved. Will be a kick ass show. Can’t wait.
Would have been cool if the Germs, X, or the Weirdos were mentioned in this write up! These awesome bands from the L.A. punk scene kept the Whiskey alive in the late 70′s!!!!
There needs to be a movie about the entire strip including the Rainbow! I worked as a waitress at the whisky and also go go danced there early 80s. I have stories! Lol! I refuse to go there now because the security is run badly and overly forceful. It’s not what it was and isn’t cook anymore. : (
Whisky isn’t “cool ” anymore.
I started working @ the Whisky in 1969 I ended up working for Mario for 23 years. He was the BEST boss I ever had! It was the Best job I ever had! Great stories, Great times, Great memories…
I even married Brian Glascock of the Motels that I met while working @ the Whisky…
Yes, Annie…those were great times and awesome memories.. Good times dancing while listening to bands like Chicago; Jimi Hendrix; Janis Joplin; Stevie Wonder; Little Richard; and many, many more. That’s when The Whiskey was the “hip” Hollywood place to be. Right time; right place. Fun times without worrying about too many “crazies”. Mario and Elmer were great proprietors as well as “friends” of all of the regular crowd. Looking back, I am happy to have been part of it all.
David Faustino can play himself as the promoter of “Ballistix”
this is great i love the whisky a go go,for the most part I think is the best club that gives opportunity to upcoming bands to expose their material,rock,rap,heavy metal;p what really brings people together is whenever they present metal bands,the young poeple love it! there is a few good metal bands out there and one that really brings a lot of attention is the lohin brothers HEAVYNESS this band is for real…the whisky a go go rocks!
I love this idea I hope it becomes reality. I too was a regular at the whiskey from 70s to late 80s. It was amazing how music changed over those years right at the club. It was awesome to meet 2 generations of rock n roll people and friends from there. The scene in the 70s was so so different. Yes from 14 yrs old and up girls went there and took part in things no one would ever even dare think of today. And this show if happens should include Rodney
Mario was so cool, i remember he use to give us money from his pocket to go into the whiskey LOL. he didnt like us standing outside on the street. We all were his girls he watched over us for the most part when we were there. His concept .. get the girls inside dancing then the window at the door men could see and they would come in and buy drinks spend money! Smart man. Like to see if this happens. Several books out include life on the Strip in these days biographical novels. check around
Thats’s Awesome!!
I worked there in 1979 and 1980, They were some of the best memories of my life!!
The Go Go’s, the Plimsouls and so many great bands played there when I worked those years. It was an honor to work for Mario, and to be part of Rock and Roll history!!
From 1972 – 1974 our band Stepson had the pleasure of playing the Whiskey numerous times. Mario and Elmer were real good to us and it puts a smile on my face just thinking about the club, the people who worked there and the customers/audiences. I’m real pleased to read this article and hopeful that Virgin Produced can make the series happen. The Whiskey played such an important part in the history of rock music.
I love still love the Rainbow bar and grill. I will still go there to hang out, get drinks and wat their still great food! The Whisky used to be fun, even 10 years ago. But the last time I went there (like 2 years ago) it completely changed and sucked. What I mean by this is the staff working there. The security assholes think its ok to be rude, forceful and act like its a hip hop club full of trouble or something. And the whisky was and hopefully will never be that. The bartenders were just as rude and short, plus made crap drinks. I haven’t been back avd never will until they change that God awful staff
I have wonderful memories from the Whiskey! Back then you needed to know someone to work at the Whiskey or Roxy. My best friend was a friend of Elmers so thats how i got my job @ the Roxy.That was in 1979 & there is nothing that can match the magic of the Sunset Strip during its explosions of legendary talent. I worked the Bob Marley show at the Roxy; it changed my life.The waitresses from both the Roxy & Whiskey knew each other well and the Roxy girls often found themselves at the Whiskey. The Whiskey was the CENTER of the universe off and on for 3 decades. To be lucky enough to have been there would have been enough, but to have also met my future husband ( Michael, bassist for The Motels) was the dream of my life! We are still happily married and the Whiskey still rocks on!!!
I remember the Whisky when the Three Dog Night was the regular Friday night band. What I remember the most is the Rainbow and the wonderful times I had there. I met John Glascock there. He was in a group “Carmen” and then later “Jethro Tull”. We had a wonderfully passionate affair and one I will never forget. He called me every time he was in Hollywood and Angela never knew about us. It was all very exciting and very romantic. John was so talented in so many ways and taken from all of us far too soon.