Adam writes… Tales of drunkenness and cruelty. That’s what we’re here for, right? The unholy trinity of sex and drugs and rock’n’roll. Especially on the London Music Tours with the words “Rock’n’Roll” explicitly in their titles – Soho, Covent Garden, Marylebone & Fitzrovia, Mayfair, Chelsea, Camden and the Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day.
Surely there’s no need for a Content Warning sticker on these tours. Is there? Everyone knows what they’re getting into, don’t they?
But then again, all music is available to everyone of all ages at the tap of a finger. Music that was once judged rebellious, counter-cultural or even downright seditious is being shared and loved by families listening together. And then they all come along on the Rock’n’Roll walking tours – mom, pop and all the kids… and sometimes mom and pop are a little taken aback by the tales on offer.
So I thought I’d jot down a few notes relating to content on the tours. Then you can judge for yourselves whether the tours are appropriate for your family or not.
NB the following content warnings apply to scheduled, public tours. If you book a private tour, you can dictate the content you need.
Rock’n’Roll London
This walk contains references to both murder and suicide. Illegal drug use is also a recurring theme.
Rock’n’Roll Soho
A bit of background history of the area covers organised crime and the sex industry. As with the Rock’n’Roll London walk above, drug misuse will feature prominently as a theme, as will drug-related deaths.
Rock’n’Roll Covent Garden & The West End
A range of drug-related stories feature on this walk from the use of L.S.D to the misuse of prescription drugs.
Rock’n’Roll Marylebone & Fitzrovia
The stories of drug use on this tour also feature tales of police corruption relating to the sentencing of those found guilty of drug offences in the 1960s.
Rock’n’Roll Mayfair, Piccadilly & More Soho
Death from drug misuse is a prominent theme on this tour.
Rock’n’Roll Camden
Alcohol, drug misuse and death through substance-abuse all feature on this walking tour.
Rock’n’Roll Chelsea
Drug abuse and punishment for drug offenders will appear as themes on this walk.
Rock’n’Roll Explorer Day – Barnes, Twickenham & Richmond
Alcohol- and drug-related deaths are among the topics discussed on this tour.
Pink Floyd In 60s London
Drug misuse and addiction are integral themes of the story of early Pink Floyd. Discussions of L.S.D and cannabis use feature prominently.
The Kinks In London
This tour contains some tales of violence.
The Rolling Stones In 60s London
Drug misuse and addiction as well as tales of a sexual nature form part of the content of this tour.
London In the Swinging 60s
From the start and throughout this tour there are descriptions of scenes of a sexual nature including orgies. Not only that but drug use/misuse is a running theme as well. Suicide is an additional topic discussed. Drugs discussed on the tour include amphetamines, cannabis, L.S.D and heroin. Further to all of that, scenes of violence are described. Of all the walks on the programme this one is probably the least suitable for under 16s.
The Beatles Tours
ALL scheduled, public London Music Tours Beatles-themed walking tours – The Beatles 1961-65, The Beatles 1966-70 and the Day Tripper Full Day Beatles Tour – contain references to recreational drug use – marijuana, L.S.D and amphetamine use in particular. All of them.
However, The Beatles’ story is a special case.
In telling the story of The Beatles to your kids, you may not want the whole drugs and rock’n’roll picture yet. That’s your call. Different parents want to reveal different things to their kids at different times. In addition, you may not think a walking tour is the place to have that first discussion with your child about hallucinogenic drugs, addiction, overdoses and arrests.
So I’ve put together some special private tours for families kids. I have 20 years experience as a tour guide leading tours for youngsters and I was a school governor. Not only that but I’m a parent myself. For more info visit londonmusictours.org/beatles2024/ Drop me a line using the form at the bottom of this page with your requirements for a private tour.
You Decide
Having been appraised of the content, you can now decide whether you want to bring younger family members on the tours or not. Only one of our tours is listed as Not Suitable For Children and that is the Rock’n’Roll Pub Walk on selected Thursdays in Summer. The reason for this is the pubs we visit do not admit under 18s at night in addition to its grown-up content.
So what are your alternatives if you decide against the Rock’n’Roll tours on the grounds of content? Well the famous London Walks company has a wide range of walks suitable for all ages. And their programme here: www.walks.com
Finally, private tours are always available – drop me a line using the form below and you can dictate the content you want to suit your needs.
