Tales from Tin Pan Alley (2018)

• 80%
• 2018
• Documentary
• Music
• Henry Scott-Irvine

Britain's music street 'Tin Pan Alley' has resided in London's Denmark Street since Francis, Day and Hunter the first music publishers moved-in back in 1906. It was home to songwriters, music venues, recording studios, rehearsal spaces, demo studios and music instruments shops, as well as being the birthplace of British Silent Cinema, before becoming London's 'Little Tokyo' until World War2. London's Tin Pan Alley remains unparalleled. 30 people who worked in this legendary music street take us on a 110-year journey through Tin Pan Alley, aided by British broadcaster-authors Dan Cruikshank, Paul French, Joshua Levene and Will Self. Contributors include singer Dame Vera Lynn, 'Skiffler' Chas McDevitt, The Small Faces' drummer Kenney Jones, David Bowie's bassist Herbie Flowers, Sex Pistols' bassist Glen Matlock, Damned guitarist Captain Sensible, Beta Band's Steve Mason, soul singer Linda Lewis, Tom Jones songwriter Barry Mason, Eurovision hit songwriter Bill Martin, Music Industry Legend Eric Hall, Acid Jazz's Eddie Piller and Guardian journalist Simon Usbourne, among others. Redevelopment now threatens the future livelihood of music-based artisans in this historic street. This documentary concludes by illustrating how London is losing this creative hub to gentrification. Britain's birthplace of popular music and song Tin Pan Alley aka Denmark Street remains London's only street of musical instrument shops. The loss and destruction of areas of cultural heritage is naturally of international concern. This is the first full length documentary to highlight this pressing matter.