The Ultimate Music Lovers’ Guide To London

If you love music and the history that goes along with it, then you will understand why so many visit London every year. There are so many areas where legendary musicians and singers have either recorded, lived, or performed. Even the most innocuous places hide a musical past. Here is the ultimate music lover’s guide to London.

Shepherd’s Bush Empire

This iconic theatre was built in 1903 and has had many famous people go through its doors. It started off as a dance hall, but in 1953 it was bought by the BBC to host many of its light entertainment and music shows.

Between 1953 and 1991, it held many famous shows with performers like Cliff Richard, Cilla Black, Lulu, and Petula Clark.

It is now a music venue again, and with accommodation near Shepherds Bush you can go and see bands from past and present and linger in the footsteps of the famous.

Abbey Road

Arguably one of the most famous road crossings in the world, Abbey Road and its studios are synonymous with numerous bands over the years.

One of the most famous is The Beatles who made the road crossing outside famous after featuring it on the cover of their 11th studio album.

Both the studios and the crossing are now listed as English Heritage Sites.

Denmark Street

Nicknamed Tin Pan Alley, Denmark Road has had many famous singers record their music there. Both NME (New Music Express) and Melody Maker publications were first published here.

Singers such as Elton John, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks have recorded music in studios there.

Denmark Street is also thought to have been the place where Bob Marley bought his first guitar.

Berwick Street

This street is also often called the ‘golden mile because it has many independent music shops here. This makes it a go-to for anyone who loves old vinyl records.

It is also the place where band Oasis took the picture for the cover of their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? In 1995.

For these reasons, the street is always popular with tourists and music fans alike.

The 100 Club

If you like jazz, then this is the place you need to visit. Located in an Oxford Street basement in the West End, it has seen some famous people play here over the years.

Among the artists that played here are David Bowie, Louis Armstrong, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, and, Oasis.

For those interested in trivia, this club also had a Chinese restaurant in the club in the 1970s. It was located between the male and female toilets.

The Good Mixer Pub

Many famous musicians have graced this pub over the years. It is thought to be where the feud between Oasis and Blur started and was also a regular haunt for Amy Winehouse.

These are just some of the places you can visit on your ultimate music lover’s guide to London. Although some places may have changed physically since the famous musicians were there, the history is still very much alive.