In the City: A Celebration of London Music [Hardcover]

'A dense and colourful account of one of the most vibrant musical centres in the world'
--Guardian

'The first book properly to anatomise the popular music of our capital is a mighty achievement - and a cracking read ... An engrossing story, beautifully told' --The Sunday Times - Music Book of the Year

'(An) exhilarating new history of the music that defines the capital' --Evening Standard

'Du Noyer digs impressively deep for insight ... it evokes London as a place of converged cultures, found sounds and infinite possibilities'
--Metro

The definitive history of the world's most innovative musical city

London's music is as important as its landmarks. It is the city of immigrant music, West End musicals, Ronnie Scott's jazz club, Abbey Road, mod culture, the Kinks, the Who and the Rolling Stones, all of whom transformed the city and were in turn transformed by it. In this fascinating history of the city's popular music, Paul Du Noyer, critically-acclaimed music writer and founding editor of Mojo, explores London's native talent, from Noël Coward and David Bowie to the Sex Pistols and Amy Winehouse. He covers too the London visits of international artists such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, who also felt the city's influence. From Elizabethan traders and public execution songs, to The Beggar's Opera and East End music halls, right up to modern-day troubadours such as Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen, he charts the rich musical inheritance of London and the many styles and characters that have helped to define the city's music over the years.

This captivating book will appeal to residents, visitors and exiles alike, as well as lovers of popular culture, social history and music. Above all, it is a celebration of the city - packed with stories of the people and places that have made London the most exciting and innovative musical city on earth.

London's music is as important as its landmarks. It is the city of immigrant music, West End musicals, Ronnie Scott's jazz club, Abbey Road, mod culture, The Kinks, The Who and the Rolling Stones, all of whom transformed the city and were in turn transformed by it. Paul Du Noyer, critically-acclaimed music writer and founding editor of MOJO, explores the city's native talent, from Noël Coward and David Bowie to the Sex Pistols and Amy Winehouse. He covers too the London visits of international artists such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, who also felt the city's influence.

London's music, so suggestive of place and so often observational, has a long tradition of growing from the streets. From Elizabethan traders and public execution songs, to The Beggar's Opera and East End music halls, right up to modern-day troubadours such as Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen, In the City charts the rich musical inheritance of London and the many styles and characters that have helped to define it.

Above all, it is a celebration of the city - packed with stories of the people and places that have made London the most exciting and innovative musical city on earth.

Praise for Paul Du Noyer's Liverpool - Wondrous Place

'One of the best books ever written about the city' - New Statesman

'A seminal account of the city's musical legacy' - New York Times

'Du Noyer's erudition and lightness of touch is a reward in itself ... An essential addition to the shelves of every serious rock fan' - MOJO

'A thrilling virtuoso piece of pop scholarship' - Q

'Superb' - Observer

Paul Du Noyer has been writing about music for thirty years. His writing credentials include assistant editor of the NME, editor of Q and founding editor of MOJO. He was on the launch team for Heat and Word magazines and remains associate editor of the latter. His other books include a history of John Lennon's solo years, We All Shine On, and the critically acclaimed Liverpool - Wondrous Place.