London Lessons: Choirboys, Cons, and the South London Sound

This Deep Dice review looks at Kenny Denton’s memoir and describes his unconventional upbringing in South London, where he navigated a childhood surrounded by underworld figures and petty crime. The narrative details his brief, ill-fitted stint as a cathedral choirboy before highlighting his school friendships with the children of notorious pornographers and seasoned con artists. Through these associations, the author learned cynical life lessons about human greed and the influence of organized crime. His early working life involved employment under a member of the Richardson gang, a brutal rival to the Krays, who also managed Denton’s first band. Ultimately, these gritty experiences in a criminal environment served as the backdrop for his transition into a success ...