Author Description

In most regimental histories, the band, if mentioned at all, is likely to be relegated to an appendix, possibly showing a bar or two of the regimental march. Yet it is an indisputable fact that the band is actually that part of the regiment which is most frequently in the public eye. Indeed few public events seem complete without the participation of a military band. Here, at last, is a comprehensive history of one of the oldest and probably the most famous military band of all time, the Band of The Life Guards. George Lawn, himself a former bandsman, traces its colourful history from the return of King Charles II to England in 1660 down to the present day. The book encompasses every aspect of the Band's many duties and includes biographies of all known bandmasters together with numerous illustrations of their Drum Horses. It may come as a surprise to learn how many bandsmen have later achieved musical distinction in civilian life, not least Sir Colin Davis, who has written the foreword.