Frith Street in Soho, London, in 1955, at a time when the capital's rival gangs are battling for control of race-course betting.
Frith Street in Soho, London, in 1955, at a time when the capital's rival gangs are battling for control of race-course betting.
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Londoners enjoy the nightlife in Soho in 1956.
Londoners enjoy the nightlife in Soho in 1956.
Harry Kerr/BIPs/Getty Images
German-born British painter Lucian Freud who famously adored Soho.
German-born British painter Lucian Freud who famously adored Soho.
Express Newspapers/Getty Images
British rhythm and blues singer and keyboard player Georgie Fame (foreground, second from right) and his band The Blue Flames at the Flamingo Club, Soho, London, May 1964. Left to right: Eddie Fountain, Speedy Sacquaye, Red Reece, Mike Eve.
British rhythm and blues singer and keyboard player Georgie Fame (foreground, second from right) and his band The Blue Flames at the Flamingo Club, Soho, London, May 1964. Left to right: Eddie Fountain, Speedy Sacquaye, Red Reece, Mike Eve.
Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
A group of young people outside the 2i's coffee bar in Soho, London, April 1961. Coffee 2i's was the birthplace of British rock n' roll.
A group of young people outside the 2i's coffee bar in Soho, London, April 1961. Coffee 2i's was the birthplace of British rock n' roll.
The Beatles meet for the first time after their holidays by candlelight at the Star Steak House in Shaftsbury Avenue, London in 1963. This evening they appear on 'Ready, Steady, Go', the British music television program.
The Beatles meet for the first time after their holidays by candlelight at the Star Steak House in Shaftsbury Avenue, London in 1963. This evening they appear on 'Ready, Steady, Go', the British music television program.
Keystone/Getty Images
A man at the entrance to a strip club in Soho, London, April 1961. Soho was the heart of London's sex trade.
A man at the entrance to a strip club in Soho, London, April 1961. Soho was the heart of London's sex trade.
Frances Shea (1943 - 1967, far right) with her husband, English gangster Reggie Kray (1933 - 2000, standing, third from left) and celebrity guests at the El Morocco, a nightclub owned by the Kray Twins, in Soho, London, 30th April 1965. Kray has his hand on the shoulder of British actor Edmund Purdom (1924 - 2009). At centre is Actress Adrienne Corri with her arm around Welsh actor Victor Spinetti (1929 - 2012). The Kray twins' mother, Violet Kray, is second from right.
Frances Shea (1943 - 1967, far right) with her husband, English gangster Reggie Kray (1933 - 2000, standing, third from left) and celebrity guests at the El Morocco, a nightclub owned by the Kray Twins, in Soho, London, 30th April 1965. Kray has his hand on the shoulder of British actor Edmund Purdom (1924 - 2009). At centre is Actress Adrienne Corri with her arm around Welsh actor Victor Spinetti (1929 - 2012). The Kray twins' mother, Violet Kray, is second from right.
Larry Ellis/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
A shop called Pop, on Carnaby Street in London's West End. A Triumph Spitfire GT6 is parked outside.
A shop called Pop, on Carnaby Street in London's West End. A Triumph Spitfire GT6 is parked outside.
Thompson/Fox Photos/Getty Images
Popular rock trio the Jimi Hendrix Experience at London Airport with their hand luggage. They are, from left to right; Noel Redding (1945 - 2003), bass player, Jimi Hendrix, singer, guitarist and songwriter, and Mitch Mitchell, drummer. Hendrix played his first gig to the press in 1966 at Soho's Bag O' Nails club.
Popular rock trio the Jimi Hendrix Experience at London Airport with their hand luggage. They are, from left to right; Noel Redding (1945 - 2003), bass player, Jimi Hendrix, singer, guitarist and songwriter, and Mitch Mitchell, drummer. Hendrix played his first gig to the press in 1966 at Soho's Bag O' Nails club.
Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images
British pop singer David Bowie in concert at Earl's Court, London during his 1978 world tour. During the 1960s, Bowie was a regular on Tin Pan Alley, a meeting place for musicians.
British pop singer David Bowie in concert at Earl's Court, London during his 1978 world tour. During the 1960s, Bowie was a regular on Tin Pan Alley, a meeting place for musicians.
Evening Standard/Getty Images
Bar Italia cafe, a Soho landmark. Many a reveler has stumbled into this all-night cafe for a latte and a grilled mozzarella panini after an evening boozing.
Bar Italia cafe, a Soho landmark. Many a reveler has stumbled into this all-night cafe for a latte and a grilled mozzarella panini after an evening boozing.
Carl Court/Getty Images
A man walks past a sex shop in Soho in 2015. A growing number of campaigners, including Stephen Fry, are pushing developers and representatives of Westminster Council to preserve the area's unique identity, which they fear is being lost as the area is gradually redeveloped.
A man walks past a sex shop in Soho in 2015. A growing number of campaigners, including Stephen Fry, are pushing developers and representatives of Westminster Council to preserve the area's unique identity, which they fear is being lost as the area is gradually redeveloped.
Carl Court/Getty Images
People walk past the offices for De Lane Lea media company in Soho on January 16, 2015 in London, England. Soho is the epicenter of the UK's world-class film and television post-production industry. Famously, companies in the area worked on Oscar-winner "Gravity" and the "Harry Potter" franchise.
People walk past the offices for De Lane Lea media company in Soho on January 16, 2015 in London, England. Soho is the epicenter of the UK's world-class film and television post-production industry. Famously, companies in the area worked on Oscar-winner "Gravity" and the "Harry Potter" franchise.
A sign is seen outside Madame Jojo's in Soho on January 16, 2015 in London, England. The Save Soho campaign was started after the beloved venue was closed down so that the area could be redeveloped.
A sign is seen outside Madame Jojo's in Soho on January 16, 2015 in London, England. The Save Soho campaign was started after the beloved venue was closed down so that the area could be redeveloped.
Carl Court/Getty Images
The XX perform on day two of Latitude Festival 2010 held at Henham Park Estate on July 17, 2010 in Southwold, England. They played early gigs at Madame Jojos.
The XX perform on day two of Latitude Festival 2010 held at Henham Park Estate on July 17, 2010 in Southwold, England. They played early gigs at Madame Jojos.
Fergus McDonald/Getty Images
Singer Adele performs onstage at the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Adele also played early gigs at Madame Jojos.
Singer Adele performs onstage at the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Adele also played early gigs at Madame Jojos.