In the 1960s and ’70s, London was the world capital of popular music. This two hour walk will show you where the Beatles held their final live gig (as well as the venue of their first ever London performance), the pub where the Rolling Stones were formed in 1962, and where Bowie was photographed for the cover of the Ziggy Stardust album.
Going from Regent Street to Regent Studios, we’ll visit the bars, clubs and studios where musical history was made, the venues that hosted the Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, the Pistols, the Clash and others, meet the characters who transformed teenage rebellion into big business, and hear stories of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.
As well as the venues above, other highlights include
- we’ll see the studios where the Beatles, Stones, T Rex, Lou Reed, Elton John, Queen and others cut their most famous discs
- where Eric Clapton bought his first guitar
- the site of the Sex Pistols’ first gig
- NME’s old offices, from where punk and new wave were chronicled
- the club where Paul met Linda – and where Long John Baldry persuaded Elton John not to get married
- hear about the coffee bar culture of the 50s and 60s – and see the last survival. (And discover where Wee Willie Harris was the resident pianist)
- the Marquee – where every band who was anyone (and lots who never made it) shook the walls
You can book this walk for a private tour, or as part of a half- or full-day’s tour. Contact me for more information.
Anyone with a passion for music of the 60s and 70s will love to stroll around vibrant Soho and find out more about the history of music in the area, as we did. Don clearly loves music – he is very knowledgeable and presents the information in an enjoyable, fun and engaging way. We can wholeheartedly recommend the experience.
This was a walking tour in and around Soho highlighting some places of interest from the sixties, seventies and early eighties rock and roll era. Don kept us informed with some well researched anecdotes delivered in a clear and entertaining style. I have lived and worked in London for more than 30 years but felt like I was seeing it for the first time.