�A popular pub will host live music every day as it bids to recreate its glory days.

The King’s Head in Upper Street, Islington, is making musical entertainment a regular fixture again.

Dan Crawford created a 100-seat theatre at the venue in 1970 which hosted theatre, comedy and cabaret alongside music in the pub.

The King’s Head was one of the premier night-time destinations in London for more than 30 years with bands such Dire Straits and The Tiger Lillies gracing its stage on route to fame and fortune.

Rocking

The emphasis shifted to theatrical shows after he died in 2005 but now his wife and owner Stephanie Crawford plans to get the place rocking again with music on a daily basis.

She continued: “We want to go back to his original concept which was people coming out of the theatre and seeing a lively pub worthy of Hieronymus Bosch, a famous 16th century Dutch painter.

“People loved the live music after the theatre. Our local community is already over the moon to have the King’s Head back as one of the music venues of Islington.”

Two months of events have already been planned featuring blues, jazz and rock bands.

The bumper line up includes a weekly Tuesday hot gypsy jazz night and features musicians such as Jimmy C and The Blue Dragons, Sugar T and The Swells and TJ Johnson.

Mrs Crawford said: “We will always be respectful of the residential neighbourhood and choose bands with fantastic sounds, but not heavy metal.

“We are loved across London and noted internationally but have always remained a distinctly local venue – and that’s kind of always been our charm. We love being the jewel in the crown of Islington.”

Mrs Crawford says the King’s Head has undergone a revival in the past year after a company Opera Up Close took over management of the theatre.

n For more information visit www.kingsheadtheatrepub.co.uk.