To date there has been a significant gap in existing knowledge about the social history of music in Britain from 1950 to the present day. The three volumes of The History of Live Music in Britain address this gap and do so from the unique perspective of the music promoter. The books offer new insights into a variety of issues, including changes in musical fashions and tastes, the impact of developing technologies, the balance of power between live and recorded music businesses, the role of the state as regulator and promoter, the effects of demographic and other social changes on music culture, and the continuing importance of do-it-yourself enthusiasts.