Two influential landmarks on THE SUNSET STRIP in West Hollywood, THE COMEDY STORE and the RAINBOW BAR & GRILL,are set to celebrate their upcoming 40th anniversaries by hosting special events to mark the occasion. This Sunday, April 15, the RAINBOW will host an outdoor party from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM with a dozen bands set to perform on an outdoor stage and inside the Rainbow.

On Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 PM, THE COMEDY STORE will celebrate 40 years of laughs with a star-studded comedy show featuring rising comedians of today and famous alums in attendance.

“It’s not often that you get to celebrate a business in Los Angeles that has thrived for 40 years,” says Todd Steadman, Executive Director of the SUNSET STRIP BUSINESS ASSOCIATION. “But to be able to celebrate two independent, family-owned businesses in the same week is fantastic. You have nottruly experienced The Sunset Strip if you haven’t been to The Comedy Store andthe Rainbow. They’re cornerstones of not only The Strip, but West Hollywood and Los Angeles nightlife in general.”

The Comedy Store (8433 Sunset Blvd.) was founded on April 7, 1972 by Sammy and Mitzi Shoreand became known as the place to both become a better comedian and become a commercial success, with scouts from “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,”filmand television productions and talent agencies regularly in attendance. Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey, Sam Kinnison, Roseanne Barr, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle all called The Comedy Store home. More recently, The Comedy Store has helped launch the careers of Whitney Cummings(“Whitney”), Al Madrigal (“The Daily Show”), Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Steve Rannazzisi (“The League”), Bobby Lee (Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Pineapple Express)and Sarah Silverman. Tickets for the anniversary show are on sale now through The Comedy Store’s website, with performer lineups to be added daily.

"The Comedy Store is going to take the audience on a journey through each of the decades as Comedy Store veterans of past and present come back to celebrate and honor the 40 years of laughter that Mitzi has created," noted Mark D. Turocy, producer of the 40th anniversary show.

The Rainbow (9015 Sunset Blvd.) opened April 16, 1972 with a party for Elton John and has been a second home for actors and musicians, their fans, friends and entourages ever since. Celebrities including John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Keith Moon, John Belushi, Grace Slick, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, Motley Crue, B-Real and Lemmy have all been sited there, and the restaurant and bar continue to draw customers from around the world. The Rainbow’s 40th anniversary party will feature performances by Pretty Boy Floyd, Don Dokken, Hurricane, Phil Soussan, DC4 among others. Entrance to the event is free with the purchase of a drink.

“We are proud to still be rockin’ after 40 years and look forward to many more,” noted co-owner Mikeal Maglieri, whose family remains one of the original owners of the Rainbow and the Whisky A Go-Go.

In other SUNSET STRIP news, the fifth annual SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL will take place August 16-18, with this year’s honoree and headlining acts set to be announced soon. For more information, visit www.SSMF.com  

About The Sunset Strip:
The Sunset Strip is a 1.6-mile stretch along Sunset Boulevard that runs through the heart of West Hollywood. From its beginning as an unregulated "strip" of land along Sunset Boulevard outside Los Angeles' city limits, The Sunset Strip has served as a notorious entertainment destination for celebrities, tourists and California residents. It is an iconic locale where fashion, music, architecture and a unique history combine. The Sunset Strip has birthed countless music and entertainment careers, and it continues to blaze its own path as a leading destination with a vibrant and entertaining landscape made up of more than 150 restaurants, shops, nightclubs and hotels. The Sunset Strip became part of the City of West Hollywood when it was incorporated in 1984. For more information about The Sunset Strip, please visit www.thesunsetstrip.com 

About The Comedy Store:
Founded in 1972,The Comedy Store was the first comedy club to open in Los Angeles. Located at 8433 Sunset Blvd. in theheartof TheSunsetStrip,The Comedy Store remains a premier destinationforfansofbig-name,high-qualitycomedy.Tickets for the April 21 40th Anniversary Show are $40 per person, ages 21 and older, only. Forinformationand tickets,visit http://hollywood.thecomedystore.com 

About The Rainbow:
The Rainbow Bar & Grill is open seven days a week and features a full dining menu and bar. For more information, please visit www.rainbowbarandgrill.com