Apologies to the majority of visitors to this site who don’t live in the UK capital, but as someone who lives in London i’m fascinated by its musical history. Almost every street has a story to tell, some well known, and some less so. With the advent of Google Maps I thought why not collect together as many London musical locations as possible.
Its a huge task, and this is a very very rough early attempt which I hope to develop (call it version 0.1). It’s only got a few locations so far but its a start (and will be updated soon).
I need your help - please leave a comment with any address’s, tales, birthplaces, drug busts, recording studios…anything really that should be included on the map. Also if anyone with coding skills or ideas has any advice on how I could better present the map (being able to search would be nice).
Links:
Derelict London’s fantastic “London’s Musical History Landmarks” page - some great pictures here.
Soho Music Tour - The Times with a Soho walking tour.
The story of The Clash in London - features pictures of almost every location The Clash ever visited in London.
The story of the Ziggy Stardust album cover shoot here.
I know one! In SE1 is Emerson Street. There used to be a recording studio there, where Dennis “Blackbeard” Bovell produced many albums, including Janet Kay’s ‘Capricorn Woman’, and stuff with Linton Kwesi Johnson.
There is also Thrale Street nearby where Danny Rampling’s Shoom was held. This of course being back in “The Summer of Love” and brought house music / acid house music to these shores after he and others sampled the sound in Ibiza for the very first time.
And then just last night I was reading about how at The Arches on Southwark Street the Dreem Team were residents and that nightclub gave birth to the UK Garage scene…(not something to be proud of??!)
Good luck with the project, if I can think of any more I will let you know.
Comment by brubekk — August 8, 2006 @ 11:47 am
What a great project! I think I might get onto the case with an ‘East London collection’
Everything from the Rumble Strips video for Motorcycle to Lovebox. What about it?
Comment by The Daily Growl — August 8, 2006 @ 11:01 pm
The motorcycle video! You must remind where that was shot again - an absolute classic! and any more east london tips would be most welcome
Brubekk - superb suggestions thank you.
Added the dennis bovell one, and will look into shoom asap, not forgetting your UK Garage one (since it seems so close to your heart ) No seriously keep them coming - I must be a total trainspotter but Im fascinated by it all
Comment by musiclikedirt — August 8, 2006 @ 11:47 pm
The only one I can think of is Nambucca (the pub) on Holloway Road, where the video for The Kooks’ “Naive” was shot.
Fantastic project, by the way!
Comment by mornington — August 9, 2006 @ 5:22 pm
You’ve just reminded me of another with all the video talk…America Street SE1. Our Madge recorded the video for “that Abba record” in American Street. The bits in the video where they are dancing in front of a tiled wall and she is walking around looking sassy.
Comment by brubekk — August 11, 2006 @ 4:48 pm
what wow a nice map and layout . thank you!
very cool website , i will be back for sure. bookmarking this
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Comment by tekglow — April 26, 2007 @ 12:49 am
Hi!
I don’t live in London and can’t provide you with information but i think this is a very nice project and i wish you success.
Best Regards from germany!
Comment by Musik - Master — October 26, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
Thanks. I’ve not updated this for so long. Perhaps its time to resurect the project!
Comment by musiclikedirt — October 27, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
well im back like i said i would. my last post was on 26 april., anyhow i was jsut checking up on updates and stuff
maybe it is time to resurect it. hehe. well i reread it. and i still think its very engenious.
cool stuff
ill be back in a couple months to check up on ya.
later
Comment by tekglow — October 31, 2007 @ 1:26 am
Cool map concept
Comment by fishyman — April 29, 2008 @ 12:19 am