Hi Will - I'm really interested in the 50s/early 60s. For several reasons, a couple of which are that my own early memories as a young teenager in Soho cover that period, and although a number of books have been written about Soho at the time, very few have the personal impressions and anecdotes of the less well-known (to the general public) Soho characters and places that I want to cover. It's a more general book than just about skiffle, or early folk and blues clubs - although, of course, they will come into it - I want to put those clubs and performers and audiences in a social context. What was going on outside the clubs - what and where were the cafes, pubs, bookshops, record shops etc., that people visited or hung out in; nearly all of which have long gone. So your early visits to Soho might be just the sort of thing. When did you first go to Soho? What took you there? what clubs, coffee bars etc., were around that you visited or were aware of?What was the feeling of the place? What places did you visit? Anything that conjures up memories and impressions. Soho has changed so much from those post-war days, mid-50s was only ten years after the war. There were still bomb-sites in Soho, bookies runners, 'spies and wide boys, crap games in the street, countless all-hours one room drinking clubs, and equally countless girls on thes treets and in 'walk-up' rooms and flats.
I hope that makes sense. Best wishes - Dave