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London's music is as important as its landmarks. This is the city of immigrants and story-tellers, of Ronnie Scott's jazz club, Abbey Road, mod culture, the Kinks, the Clash and the Rolling Stones. In his 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 Noel Coward and David Bowie to the Sex Pistols and Amy Winehouse.

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.

Among the many other artists featured are Ian Dury, Marie Lloyd, Madness, Handel, Gilbert & Sullivan, Squeeze, Spandau Ballet, Vera Lynn, Marc Bolan, Tommy Steele, Billy Bragg, Anthony Newley, Fairport Convention, Blur, Lord Kitchener, Pete Doherty, Nitin Sawhney and the Small Faces.