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Level 42 is an English pop rock and jazz-funk band which had a number of worldwide and UK hits
during the 1980s and 1990s.
The band gained fame for its high-calibre musicianship — in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique
provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits. The band are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard
player Mike Lindup's falsetto backing vocals.
Having been a very successful live and studio band in the 1980s, Level 42's commercial profile diminished during the early 1990s following a
series of personnel changes and musical shifts. After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.
Mark King and the Gould brothers — Rowland (universally known as "Boon") and Phil — had all been brought up on the Isle of Wight and had
played together in various bands during their teenage years. Phil Gould went on to study at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama,
where he met keyboard player Mike Lindup. Although Lindup was primarily studying piano, he had also taken a course in percussion
alongside Phil. The two musicians found that they shared musical heroes: Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett and Jan Hammer.
By 1979, Mark King was also living and working in London. Both he and Phil Gould became involved in Robin Scott's pop project M — Gould
contributed to the US number one single 'Pop Muzik'. Another musician who contributed to M was a renowned Afro-French keyboard and
synthesizer player called Waliou "Wally" Badarou.
In late 1979, Phil introduced King and Lindup to each other and the band which would become Level 42 began to coalesce via loose
rehearsal sessions, developing their own jazz-funk fusion style. The first of these incarnations featured Dominic Miller as guitarist, but he was
soon replaced by Boon Gould on the latter's return from working in the United States (Miller would later find fame playing with Sting).
Initially, the instrumental responsibilities in the band were not easy to decide. Boon Gould was equally adept on six-string guitar and bass
guitar (as well as playing saxophone), while Mark King was primarily a drummer (though he'd also played guitar). Like Phil Gould, Mike Lindup
had trained as a percussionist and played drums in addition to keyboards. After an ill-fated European venture, King had recently had to sell
his own drumkit in order to fund his journey back to the UK. With Phil Gould set to take the drummer's role in the band, and Boon Gould
established as the most skilled guitar player, it made most sense for King to use his own guitar-playing skills in order to take on the role of
bass guitarist, so he volunteered to learn how to play the instrument.
during the 1980s and 1990s.
The band gained fame for its high-calibre musicianship — in particular that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique
provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits. The band are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard
player Mike Lindup's falsetto backing vocals.
Having been a very successful live and studio band in the 1980s, Level 42's commercial profile diminished during the early 1990s following a
series of personnel changes and musical shifts. After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.
Mark King and the Gould brothers — Rowland (universally known as "Boon") and Phil — had all been brought up on the Isle of Wight and had
played together in various bands during their teenage years. Phil Gould went on to study at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama,
where he met keyboard player Mike Lindup. Although Lindup was primarily studying piano, he had also taken a course in percussion
alongside Phil. The two musicians found that they shared musical heroes: Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett and Jan Hammer.
By 1979, Mark King was also living and working in London. Both he and Phil Gould became involved in Robin Scott's pop project M — Gould
contributed to the US number one single 'Pop Muzik'. Another musician who contributed to M was a renowned Afro-French keyboard and
synthesizer player called Waliou "Wally" Badarou.
In late 1979, Phil introduced King and Lindup to each other and the band which would become Level 42 began to coalesce via loose
rehearsal sessions, developing their own jazz-funk fusion style. The first of these incarnations featured Dominic Miller as guitarist, but he was
soon replaced by Boon Gould on the latter's return from working in the United States (Miller would later find fame playing with Sting).
Initially, the instrumental responsibilities in the band were not easy to decide. Boon Gould was equally adept on six-string guitar and bass
guitar (as well as playing saxophone), while Mark King was primarily a drummer (though he'd also played guitar). Like Phil Gould, Mike Lindup
had trained as a percussionist and played drums in addition to keyboards. After an ill-fated European venture, King had recently had to sell
his own drumkit in order to fund his journey back to the UK. With Phil Gould set to take the drummer's role in the band, and Boon Gould
established as the most skilled guitar player, it made most sense for King to use his own guitar-playing skills in order to take on the role of
bass guitarist, so he volunteered to learn how to play the instrument.
| "Starchild" Level 42 |