HISTORY OF MUSIC IN LONDON
The London music scene has a long and illustrious history that extends back to the courts of English royalty who have long called London their capital. From vaudeville to music halls, pleasure gardens to symphony orchestras, London has historically been a centre for world famous music for centuries. In the past one hundred years alone London has produced some of the world’s most loved and highly regarded musicians and is at the very epicentre of Britain’s lucrative record industry.The rock and roll phenomenon that took the world by storm had a particularly strong impact in London. The Beatles spent a lot of time in the nation’s capital, and The Rollingstones originated from London itself. All over the city new music venues were opening their doors to the sounds of rock. In the years following other bands made their mark on the city – Cream, The Who, The Kinks, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience were all based within London for many years and derived a huge amount of inspiration from the city and the people.
In the seventies and eighties, musicians like David Bowie, Elvis Costello and Cat Stevens made their fame and fortune using London as a base. Bands such as The Clash, Fleetwood Mac, Iron Maiden, Led Zepplin, Wham!, T.Rex, The Police and The Sex Pistols took the world by storm, deriving their sound from the streets and rhythms vibrating through London.
In recent years London has given birth to more amazing artists and bands – Bananarama, Bush, East 17, Siouxie & the Banshees, The Libertines, Babyshambles, Bloc Party, Coldplay and Jamiroquai have all been based (or formed) in London itself.
