Several historic music venues will unite this summer for the first annual Sunset Strip Music Festival [ tickets ]. The three-day event set for June 26-28 will celebrate the Strip's rich history of presenting top-tier and cutting-edge talent in world-famous nightclubs including the Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy, the House of Blues, Viper Room, Key Club and the Cat Club.

The legendary 1.3 mile stretch of West Hollywood nightlife has provided music fans an opportunity to see historic performances throughout several decades. Beginning with artists such as Nat King Cole, clubs on The Strip have hosted shows night after night with acts like The Doors, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix. The clubs stayed current in the 1970s with names like Van Halen, Prince and David Bowie on the marquees. As L.A. punk exploded in the '80s, groups including X, The Germs and Black Flag took the stages of the clubs that are all within walking distance from one another. Between punk and grunge, acts like Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses and Jane's Addiction performed on The Strip. In the ′90s, artists including No Doubt, Tupac Shakur and Social Distortion played gigs at the establishments.

The importance of The Strip in musical history is evidenced by numerous live albums, including Bob Marley & The Wailers' 1976 recording "Live at the Roxy," X's "Live at the Whisky," Shakur's "Tupac: Live at the House of Blues," Social Distortion's "Live at the Roxy," Pennywise's "Live at the Key Club and the 2007 CD and DVD release from Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crows, "Brothers of a Feather," recorded at the Roxy.

The festival will launch June 26 at the House of Blues with a kick-off event, emceed by Mark McGrath, that will pay tribute to music industry icons Mario Maglieri, Lou Adler and Elmer Valentine. Early Saturday (6/28) evening, Larry King will moderate an "Icon Roundtable" discussion with music legends and industry experts, according to a press release.

Organizers of The Sunset Strip Music Festival promise legendary music from the past, present and future for its first annual event. The musical lineup, including "major" acts, is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.