Jugglers, unicyclists, acrobats, ropewalkers, magicians, sword swallowers, musicians, and escapologists… Buskers have been entertaining on London’s streets throughout history. Performing in public arenas for tips can be traced back to antiquity, and the term ‘busking’ was first noted in the middle ages as it referred to England’s wandering minstrels. Today, Buskers can be found in several of London’s major tourist areas from Trafalgar Square and Southbank to Covent Garden. The history of Buskers performing in Covent Garden can be traced back to the 1600s, and performances around the market have become a main attraction for visitors. Street performers at Covent Garden attract large crowds and many have trained and practiced their art all over the world. Several famous musicians began their careers busking on London’s streets including Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, and Rod Stewart.
(london-performers.co.uk)