The Metal Hall of Fame’s Sunset Strip Blowout Bash took place on January 21,2026,and included the three of the most iconic rock clubs in history, the Rainbow Bar and Grill, The Roxy, and the Viper Room.
The Red Carpet was held at the Rainbow Bar and Grill with some of the era’s iconic musicians walking out for the fans. Attendees included hosts Eddie Trunk and Cathy Rankin, as well as inductees Tracii Guns, Rikki Rockett (Poison) and Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.).
The performing musicians included Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) , Doug Aldrich (The Dead Daisies), Dino Jelusick (Whitesnake), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group), Marc Ferrari (Cold Sweat), Tony Harnell (T.N.T.), Tony Cavazo (Hurricane), Marq Torien and Jimmy D’Anda (Bulletboys), Ken Mary (Flotsam and Jetsam, Once Bitten), Tommy Bolan (DORO), Keith St. John (Montrose, Burning Rain), Tommy London (SiriusXM), and Britt Lightning (Vixen).
Other guests included a couple of new, up-and-coming bands Red Reign, Wicked, and Chained Saint, who were there as guests of the Hall of Fame. The Tenth Anniversary of the gala honored five influential icons of rock and metal:Chris Holmes is a former W.A.S.P.guitarist who was formally inducted by fellow guitarist Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot, Ratt). Tracii Guns,co-founder of L.A. Guns and Guns N’ Roses was inducted by young gun guitar virtuoso Sam “Bam” Koltun (Faster Pussycat, Dorothy). Warren DeMartini, the longtime guitarist for Ratt, was also inducted by Carlos Cavazo. Drummer Rikki Rockett of Poison, who are celebrating 40 years since their debut release this year, was inducted by Eddie Trunk.
Gilby Clarke also a former member of Guns‘N Roses was inducted by Femme Fatale’s Lorraine Lewis and video guru Jay Rocc. Everyone at the sold-out Roxy was treated to performances from all of the inductees. The two that were standout to me were, Stephen Pearcy joining Warren Demartini and their band for a trio of classic Ratt tunes and Chris Holmes and his band with killer versions of a couple of great W.A.S.P classics.
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization. Legendary entertainment executives oversee all of the Metal Hall of Fame initiatives, including, Pat Gesualdo (Founder, Metal Hall of Fame/Studio-Touring Drummer), Wendy Dio (Founder, Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund), David Ellefson (Formerly of Megadeth), Michael Sarna (In motion Entertainment Inc), Jimmy Kay (The Metal Voice), Munsey Ricci (Skateboard Marketing), George Johnsen (Mammoth VisionStudio), Brian Perera (Founder, Cleopatra Records).