Pub rock (UK)

Pub rock was a mid- to late-1970s musical movement, largely centred around North London and South East Essex, particularly Canvey Island and Southend on Sea. Pub rock was largely a reaction to much of the popular music of the era, which tended to be dominated by progressive rock and highly polished, supposedly over-produced American West Coast 'AOR' sounds. Many viewed such music as inaccessible and 'out of touch', whilst pub rock was very much about getting 'back to basics', tending to be based around live performances in small pubs and clubs, playing unpretentious rhythm and blues influenced hard rock.

Further information

• No Sleep Till Canvey Island- The Great Pub Rock Revolution by Will Birch