The Shaping of Jaydee outlines how John Diggins became a guitar maker, the people he worked with and for along the way to create his unique instruments and sound.
The forward is written by Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) and there are contributions from Mark King (Level 42), Dave Hill (Slade) and George Anderson (Shakatak).
The book is available to buy from www.jaydeeguitars.co.uk
Mark King and Level 42 have just announced 2025 tour dates and he talks to us here about …
… the value of what you learn in covers bands from being ignored.
… why being thrown out of home for being thrown out of school was the best thing that ever happened to him.
… Level 42’s first gig, kicked off after four songs.
… Chile, Turkey and other new markets on the “flatter world” tour circuit.
… supporting the Police, Tina Turner, Queen and Madonna in the ‘80s.
… how John McLaughlin (from Doncaster) and Allan Holdsworth (Bradford) inspired other people “from far-flung places like us”.
… Rockin’ Robin, Long-Haired Lover From Liverpool and playing three nights a week in an Isle of Wight novelty act, aged 11.
… the onstage dynamic between Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins.
… the complications of having to book big venues two years in advance.
… being the bassist in the Prince’s Trust house band backing Bowie and Mick Jagger.
… Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and “the genius” of Steve Winwood.
LEVEL 42 are delighted to announce that they will embark upon The ‘World Machine’ 40th Anniversary Tour in 2025, which will visit 28 UK venues. Tickets will go on sale on Friday 25th October 2024 at 10am from aegp.uk/L42_2025
All of the shows will feature Special Guests Roachford. The tour will celebrate this landmark – and indeed breakthrough – album for Level 42, and the band will also, of course, be breaking out many of their classic era-defining hits.
Released this October are three 2CD albums in deluxe gatefold packaging. The 1983 album ‘Standing In The Light’, the 1985 album ‘World Machine’ and the 1987 album ‘Running In The Family’ each contain the original album on Disc 1 while Disc 2 features selection of 7”edits, 12” extended versions, remixes and B-sides as well as a foreword written by Simon Carson and Paul Waller. Each set also includes a booklet containing album lyrics as well as photos of the singles released from the album. Available to pre-order now: https://demonedsel.lnk.to/level42
An exclusive interview with legendary singer and bassist Mark King of Level 42.
Courtesy of Kim Brouns/Tessa Frissen Media/RTV Parkstad
