Denmark Street

Denmark Street in London has been associated with the music business since the late 19th century. It was the period post second world war that Jewish entrepreneurs, many escaping Nazi persecution started publishing and management companies and nearly all the properties on the Street became associated with the music business. Close to Soho and many of the theatres, publishers, taking on songs and artists and selling sheet music to the local theatres and musicians. By the mid 1950s  the publishers had been joined by a host of other the music businesses including managers, promoters,, music shops,  recording  and rehearsal studios and press; both The Melody Maker and The NME launched from Denmark Street.

Tin Pan Alley

It became known as Britain’s Tin Pan Alley after the famous music street in New York. By the early sixties the style of  popular music had evolved around the new youth culture. Denmark Street was the ‘go to’ place for many young pop musician seeking fame, fortune and also a glimpse of their favourite stars, who often hung out in the local cafes there. In many ways Denmark Street could be seen as the centre of the new youth culture music in the UK at that time with the violins and trumpets of an older generation being replaced by guitars and drums.

Mixing

'Down the way from the Tottenham Court Road 

Just round the corner from old Soho 

There's a place where the publishers go 

If you don't know which way to go 

Just open your ears and follow your nose 

'cause the street is shakin' from the tapping of toes 

You can hear that music play anytime on any day 

Every rhythm, every way 

You got to a publisher and play him your song 

He says 'I hate your music and you hair is too long 

But I'll sign you up because I'd hate to be wrong'