Simon Le Bon said they were the first band he ever saw, Paul Simonon of The Clash remembered them as “a great live band with good songs”, and Simon Napier-Bell described them as “the band that blew my bloody ears off!”
An illustrated history of the cult band London, including a song-by-song breakdown of their albums, a detailed discography, complete gig listings and over 300 photos, ‘Everyone’s a Winner, The Story of a Punk Band Called London‘ by John Van der Kiste is out NOW!
Find out why Paul McCartney made a beeline for singer Riff at his Buddy Holly night, and discover how London tried to pinch Captain Sensible from The Damned, only to have him steal their own drummer a few weeks later to replace Rat Scabies. Read about punch-ups on tour with The Stranglers, rubbing shoulders with all the punk greats of the day, and the time Sting nicked their original guitarist for The Police two days after he had joined London. Hear about their unlikely comeback 30 years later and their rock opera about 1960s gangland Soho.
Formed in 1976, London were Riff Regan (vocals), Steve Voice (bass/vocals), Dave Wight (guitar), and Jon Moss (drums). They quickly secured a contract with MCA Records, an experienced manager in Simon Napier-Bell, and the support slot on the Stranglers’ notorious Rattus Norvegicus tour. From this they built up a following that ensured enthusiastic audiences to this day.
They split just as their album ‘Animal Games‘ was released early in 1978. Drummer Jon Moss went on to form Culture Club with Boy George, and Riff Regan, under his real name Miles Tredinnick, became a comedy writer for Frankie Howerd. Regan and Voice then reformed the band in 2008 with Hugh O’Donnell (guitar) and Colin Watterston (drums). New albums followed with the release of ‘Reboot‘ in 2012 and ‘The Hell for Leather Mob‘ in 2020.
This illustrated history, including recollections from members of both line-ups, recounts the rollercoaster tale of a band who were there at the beginning of punk and reappeared 30 years later to take their place in a musical landscape that had changed beyond recognition. Their debut single says it all. Everyone’s a Winner!
Main Photo Credit: JOHN ANDOW
Follow London on Their Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Split Dogs return with new single ‘Lafayette’
Bristol quartet Split Dogs have released a new single ‘Lafayette’, in advance of their ‘Here To Destroy’ album – out on February 28th via Venn
Eddie Garrity’s Slaughter release debut EP ‘Hot Raw Metal & Gasoline’
Energised by their first live show, Eddie Garrity’s Slaughter are excited to announce the release – on CD only – of their debut EP ‘Hot
Photography and comedy events start the year at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas!
Join The Punk Rock Museum on January 25, 2025, when they welcome the opening of the exhibit Saint Vitus Bar: The First Ten Years: Photos
Yur Mum start January with some ‘Guilt’
After an eventful year, London-based Brazilian bass and drums duo Yur Mum kick off 2025 with ‘Guilt’, the latest single from their 2024 album ‘Duality’.
Loose Articles announce ‘Kick Like A Girl Extra Time!’ tour dates and tackle workplace misogyny
Kicking off 2025 as they mean to go on, Manchester punks Loose Articles are delighted to reveal their new single ‘Guitars, Cars, Knickers and Bras’,
Album review: Lunar Sounds’ debut LP – ‘Out The Dark’
‘Out The Dark’ is the culmination of Lunar Sounds’ punk-infused work to date, and shows why they’ve been such a mainstay of the UK northern
Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
