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Private Rock and Roll Music Tour of Central London
5.0
2 Ratings
Greater London
Discover London’s rock legends on a private tour. Walk where The Beatles and Bowie made history. Perfect for music fans!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- London Palladium - The tour begins outside one of London’s most renowned and beloved theatres, where some of the biggest names in music have performed. The Palladium was the venue for one of the UK’s most popular television shows, ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium’. It was here that Beatlemania truly began, and the Rolling Stones defied the norm at the end of their show.
- Broadcasting House - Broadcasting House is the headquarters of the BBC and the location of their major radio stations. There is an entire wing named after DJ and music pioneer John Peel. Despite the BBC’s significant contributions to popular music, the relationship between the BBC and rock and pop music has not always been smooth, with the BBC having banned several records from their airwaves in the past.
- University of Westminster - This university building was formerly the London Polytechnic, where in September 1962, three students, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, enrolled to study architecture. They would rehearse in a tea room in the basement as a band called Sigma 6. Later, Syd Barrett joined them, and the band became Pink Floyd. Discover their origins and early adventures.
- Carnaby Street - Visit Carnaby Street, the epicenter of fashion in swinging London. Learn why this street became so iconic, the unexpected 1950s origins of the flamboyant clothes worn by bands like the Small Faces, The Who, and the Rolling Stones, and the notorious music promoter and manager Don Arden.
- Kingly Street - Visit the site of the former Bag O’Nails on Kingly Street. This was a hotspot in the 60s where some of the world’s most famous musicians played and performed. It was frequented by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, The Animals, and Tom Jones. At least three musicians met their future wives here, including Paul McCartney, who met Linda in 1967.
- Heddon Street - Visit the legendary location of the front and back cover of ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’. There will be an opportunity to recreate the iconic photos and hear the full story of the photoshoot on a cold and wet January night in 1972.
- 3 Savile Row - Visit the site of the former office of the Beatles and their legendary rooftop concert. See the building where the famous rooftop concert was held in 1969, as featured in ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Get Back’. Besides being the site of the Beatles’ final performance, number 3 Savile Row was the headquarters of Apple and attracted Beatles fans from all over the world. The office had some very interesting visitors, which you will hear about during this tour.
- Cordings Ltd - A certain famous musician used to window shop here as a teenager, hoping one day to afford the clothes in this renowned shop. Years later, this musician became a regular customer, invested in the business, and became its design director. This musician is Eric Clapton, and you can learn all about his association with this successful clothing business on this tour.
- Hotel Café Royal - Hotel Café Royal began as a café in 1865. It was here that David Bowie retired the character of Ziggy Stardust in an extravagant and star-studded bash in 1973. Discover the story of this glamorous event and how it inspired a Ziggy Stardust cocktail bar inside the hotel.
- Wardour Street - Wardour Street was home to the world-famous Marquee Club. The Marquee was a significant and very popular music venue on Wardour Street, open for 26 years. The venue helped launch the early careers of The Who, David Bowie, and many more. While on Wardour Street, you will learn about the importance of this venue and why there is a dusty plaque to Keith Moon over the door.
- Sounds Of The Universe - London has many wonderful record shops, and this one is exceptional. However, the shop occupies the site of the old Bricklayers Arms pub, where the Rolling Stones had their very first rehearsal.
- The Ship, Soho - When The Marquee lost its alcohol license, music fans chose to drink at The Ship pub, and the singers and musicians followed. While outside this iconic pub, you will discover the drunken antics of rock legends who drank here and why The Ship rocked!
- Former Site of Trident Studios - This studio, tucked away in a tiny alley around the corner from The Ship, was an incredibly popular studio between 1968 and 1981, used by some of the most talented artists in the world. Artists such as David Bowie, The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath all recorded here.
- Soho Square - Soho Square is home to MPL - McCartney Publishing Limited, which is the center of Paul McCartney’s music empire. Paul McCartney was revealed to be a billionaire partly because of his music publishing business, and while here, you will discover how he became the richest of all the Beatles.
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club - Musician Ronnie Scott moved his famous jazz and music venue to Frith Street in 1965. Here you will learn about the famous names that have played here, including a surprising and shocking performance by Lady Gaga and the final performance of Jimi Hendrix.
- ODEON Covent Garden - In 1966, the Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, decided to buy a theatre. Learn about his grand plans, what he did with it, the legendary artists who played there, and how the 60s will soon be revived.
- Foyles Bookshop - Foyles Bookshop was once a university building. You will hear about the Sex Pistols’ first gig here. At this now iconic bookstore, you will learn why, in the early days, The Sex Pistols’ manager, Malcolm McLaren, would only book them for student gigs and where Steve Jones would get their guitars from.
- Denmark Street - Denmark Street is the final destination on the tour and arguably the most important location for British 20th-century music. Now home to wonderful guitar shops and music venues, it is on this street that the Beatles’ first music publishing deal was struck, where The Rolling Stones recorded their first album, where the Sex Pistols crashed and rehearsed, and where John Lydon drew rude pictures on the wall that are apparently still visible today! Finally, discover how this celebrated street was pivotal in the early days of Elton John and David Bowie.
What's Included
- All guiding fees are included as part of this tour
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
This tour is perfect for lovers of classic British Rock. In the space of a few hours, you will see where great bands were formed, where they played and partied, and the locations of some of their most famous performances, such as the location of The Beatle’s final performance and the Sex Pistols’s first gig. During the tour, your passionate local guide, who also loves all things Rock and Roll, will share stories about the greatest British bands and those international legends who also love London.
A ‘must do’ for any music fan during their time in London, you will walk the streets where The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and David Bowie strutted their stuff.
The tour meets at an easy-to-find and iconic London location. Its route visits some of the most vibrant and historic areas of London, whose histories will also be revealed as part of the tour.
The price of the tour is for a private walking tour for yourself and your guest. You may have up to 15 people in your booking.
Location
The London Palladium
Argyll Street
Please wait for your guide outside the London Palladium's main entrance.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Cez1984
Aug 31, 2024
Great tour round London's Rock & Roll hotspots - Fabulous tour, learnt things I never knew and discovered places in London I never knew existed (despite living here for years). Our tour guide Michael was extremely knowledgeable with some great stories up his sleeve. Could have spent a whole day without him running out I think!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
796catrinb
Aug 17, 2024
Michael is a fountain of knowledge and fun facts! - A really great afternoon full of interesting stories and fun facts - all in situ! Loved how Michael gave us opportunities to guess who the stories might be about sometimes!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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