King Of Rock

A haven for any self-​respecting rock fan, this shop is packed to the brim with rock and metal t-​shirts and memorabilia, patches, belt buckles, key rings, posters, photographs, lighters, fridge magnets, even umbrellas.
Standing proud in the middle of North Street, it blares out AC/​DC at top volume to entice Brighton’s rockiest in.
It reminds me of when I was a wee wannabe grunger school kid in Hastings. I discovered a tiny little rock shop just like this one, called Al’s Music, and I used to trek down to the old town every Saturday morning to rifle through the hoodies and tees.
If I was still that age, I’d be in my element here, and would probably never leave. As it is, I’ve kind of grown out of the whole hoodie thing, I’ve got too many. But I do pop in from time to time to check out the Betty Boop stuff, and occasionally I’ll buy a patch to sew onto my leather jacket, although I’ve never actually done the sewing part yet so they all sit in my drawer at home.
They’ve got the biggest miniature guitar selection in the UK as well; stocking true mini replicas of guitars owned by rock legends. One way to be able to afford a Led Zeppelin Twinneck played by Jimmy Page, I suppose.

Rock n rolllll! I wonder who exactly shops here, but it seems — with the prime north street location of this place — that someone does! I remember a few years ago aladdin sane/​london calling type t shirts were everywhere, but it seems the rock n roll look never lasts to long in the fashion industry. It therefore seems to me that king of rock fills a nice gap in the market, with t shirts of rock artists as well as random merchandise (stuck for xmas presents?!) such as belt buckles, mugs, key rings, notebooks, lighters and patches… All in all a fun niche market shop, don’t think it’s been there for long so let’s hope it does well.

King of Rock has been intriguing me — possibly because I can hear its music from the bus stop across the street. I ventured in today, feeling just a bit out of my element.
I’m not a rock music fan, but I highly recommend this shop for anyone who is. T-​shirts seemed to be the major stock item; although patches, key chains, wallets, journals, and mugs lined one wall. Images of ACDC, Guns n Roses, The Sex Pistols, The Beatles and Elvis were shown on these various genres of memorabilia.
I was most intrigued by the miniature guitar collection, well-​labelled and kept safely behind glass. Apparently, it’s the largest selection in Brighton and contains replicas of famous guitars. A must for every rock fan.
The Betty Boop area was also fun to look at… I didn’t know she was a rock icon, but there she was, on lunch boxes, clocks, journals and posters.
Again, I’d recommend this shop if rock is your thing, or for interesting gift buying (if you can take the heavy metal shopping-​soundtrack.)

King Of Rock stocks a horde of rock related memorabilia ranging from band t-​shirts to mini guitars, mugs to key rings. Currently there’s a sale on here, with up to 50% off memorabilia in-​store.