Broughton had an early career as a musician in the 1960s, under the name Viv Andrews, playing with David Bowie[2] and with rock group The Pretty Things as a drummer.
[3][4] In 1982, he helped launch The Voice,[5] a weekly newspaper aimed at the British African-Caribbean community, being brought in as marketing manager by founder Val McCalla, and from April 1983 Broughton wrote a column in the newspaper called "Soul Stirrings", which featured many up-and-coming artists.
[10] According to Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms magazine, he "brings real overview to a story populated with hundreds of major figures and as a starting off point in exploring the absorbing history of possibly THE most important musical stories of the 20th century it's unlikely there'll be a better book than this....Britain's Viv Broughton is to be congratulated for coming up with a vivid history of a music in a work that no American writer has come close to equalling.
"[11] Since 1996, Broughton has been owner and chief executive of The Premises Studios near Haggerston, in Hackney, London, transforming it into a musical institution that is much sought after by high-profile artistes for rehearsal space and recording, with innovative ventures including the installation of solar panels and the opening of a café.
[12][13] In addition, he launched The Premises Music Education Programme, partnering with other not-for-profit organisations to provide workshops and courses.