Musical Statues
A Soundtrack Of History Walking Tour
What does history sound like? Ever wondered what were the tunes of glory that played at times of famous victories? Or what music inspired the great and good of history?
More importantly… why didn’t Churchill like whistling?
When the music STARTS… what can we learn about history?
This brand-new walking tour marches off in search of the songs, symphonies and seven-inch singles that soundtrack the saga of London and the world.
An alternative title for this tour could be… Statues: The Musical. Our actors are the statues on the streets of Westminster. Their stage is history itself. Our tour is their score.
Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill: music plays a powerful and surprising role in each of their stories. We’ll meet them along the route of our tour in statue form. We’ll discuss the role of music in healing with Florence Nightingale; what part music played in the downfall of Beau Brummell; and we’ll look at music marching to war and being pressed into service for propaganda purposes.
The Hit Parade – Top 10 Facts & Answers You’ll Take Home After The Musical Statues Walking Tour
The song that turned the tide of WWII
Winston Churchill’s favourite singer
The Civil Rights campaigner who inspired a No.1 single
Abraham Lincoln’s unlikely earworm
The German nobleman responsible for the note-perfect soundtrack to the Changing of the Guard
Did Cromwell really cancel music?
Does music really have healing power?
Up which hill did the Duke of York march his 10,000 men?
The origin of the political campaign song
The 18th Century Londoner who inspired a band that scored 6 Billboard Hot 100 Hits
Presidents, Prime Ministers, preachers, healers, soldiers… we may even pose the question: why no actual musician statues in Westminster?
Whitehall, Jermyn Street, The Mall… Yes, you have often walked down these streets before. But never before have you looked at – or listened to them – from this angle.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Jo H –
Such an fascinating walk, hearing anecdotes connected to famous and interesting people and the role that music has played through their lives. Intriguing insights into how music is often shared by humanity through war and conflict and sends a powerful message. Adam delivers his well researched material in a very fun, amusing and powerful way.
Natalie C –
We had such a brilliant time on the tour, it was so interesting and lots of fun! Will definitely come on another of your tours soon!
Debbie Chazen –
We do a lot of guided walks. And I mean a LOT. Adam’s are always up there with our favourites. He’s a brilliant, knowledgeable and highly entertaining story teller and guide and the music he plays (and then sends in a playlist to you afterwards!) is the cherry on top of the wonderful cake.
HW –
Who would have thought that Florence Nightingale believed the sound of a piano was bad for your health? Or that Churchill hoped music might influence Roosevelt’s decision to join WW2? You’ll hear lots more stories like these if you join Adam’s Musical Statues walk, an enlightening tour of some of London’s most famous statues and their links to music. It’s hard to know whether Adam is a musicologist or a historian or both. His knowledge is obvious and his enthusiasm is infectious.