Rock ‘n’ Roll London: A Magical Music Tour through Soho and Mayfair

From the early days of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, to The Clash’s rebellious anthems and David Bowie’s pioneering sounds, London is a living, breathing monument to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

On this walking tour, I’ll guide you to places where the echoes of iconic guitar riffs and legendary lyrics reverberate through the streets. You’ll hear the stories behind iconic music venues, and gain insight into how the city influenced the world’s music scene during the 1900s.

The tour starts at Centre Point Tottenham Court Road Square Plaza, from where I’ll take you on an exhilarating journey through the heart of the city that gave birth to some of the most influential musicians in history. I’ll show you Ronnie Scott’s, where iconic jazz performers Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald once performed. You’ll stroll down Carnaby Street, one of the most fashionable streets in London during the swinging sixties, where the likes of The Who used to do their shopping.

You’ll visit hallowed grounds that were launchpads for countless rock legends, including 100 Club, the oldest independent music venue in the world. You’ll hear fascinating stories of wild nights, groundbreaking performances, and the cultural impact that these musical icons left on the world. The tour ends at White Cube Mason’s Yard art gallery (formerly Indica Gallery) where John Lennon first set eyes on a little-known performance artist named Yoko Ono.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Visit Denmark Street, where The Rolling Stones recorded their first album
• Hear how Jeffrey Bernard, the famous journalist and barfly, fell asleep in a toilet stall at the Coach & Horses
• See the spots where David Bowie and The Rolling Stones held their first public gigs, and Cliff Richard had his first public performance
• Visit the former site of the revolutionary Trident Studios, where Queen recorded their early albums
• Discover the Scotch of St James, the club where Jimi Hendrix made his first UK appearance
• Pass the London Palladium, where the Beatles headlined in 1963, giving rise to the phrase “Beatlemania”

By the end of this tour, you’ll have explored two very different parts of London: the quirky, almost bohemian area of Soho, and the sophisticated and elegant area of Mayfair. You’ll also have an insight into this city’s tremendous diversity, and how it shaped the world’s music scene.