Activity description
Explore iconic musical landmarks on our Soho Rock n Roll London Walking Tour, where legends lived, performed and made history at the heart of the British music scene.
No walking tour of Rock 'n' Roll London would be complete without a visit to Soho. This quirky, alternative corner of London has been home to the British entertainment industry for decades. Over the years, it has housed some of the most iconic recording studios, concert venues, pubs, theaters, musical instrument stores, and much more.
The tour will begin on Tin Pan Alley, a street that was once the center of the British music industry. Elton John, David Bowie, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, and many others have stories to tell about this street. For decades, this street was home, in some cases literally, to the London music scene.
Naturally, the tour will take you to the places where many rock gods rose to prominence and developed their sound. Among these clubs is the former Marquee Club, often considered the most important venue in the history of modern pop music. You'll also pass by the world-famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, a mecca for jazz musicians. The club's founder, Ronnie Scott, was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for "services to jazz," and this lively venue remains the ideal place to see rising stars in the music industry.
During the tour, you'll discover that show business isn't always glamorous, as Led Zeppelin discovered during their first rehearsal in a hot, cramped basement crammed with amplifiers. You'll also see where Mick Jagger and John Lennon spent time behind bars.
Many locals will pass by discreet little doors, hidden in alleys and squeezed between shops, unaware that some of the greatest albums of all time were recorded in these studios. Fortunately, your trusted guide will be sure to point them out.
"Soho has always been synonymous with Rock 'n' Roll, so Carnaby Street was the perfect place for our store." If Carnaby Street is good enough for the Rolling Stones, then it's good enough for us to visit on our tour. From the swinging '60s to the New Romantics, Carnaby Street has attracted the Carnabyite army.
Throughout the Rock n Roll London Walking Tour, you'll be captivated by stories about some of music's biggest names, including The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, T-Rex, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, The Smiths and more...
Notes:
What to bring:
Consider layers of clothing
Camera
Comfortable shoes for a leisurely walk
Good to know Accessible
The tour does not enter any building/location.
