When Mark King of Level 42 was the 11 year-old singing drummer in a novelty act

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 live | Leverkusener Jazztage 2022 | Rockpalast

SETLIST
1. To Be With You Again
2. Running In The Family
3. Mr. Pink
4. The Sun Goes Down
5. Children Say
6. A Floating Life
7. Leaving Me Now
8. Love Games
9. World Machine
10. Starchild
11. Something About You
12. Heaven In My Hands
13. Lessons In Love
14. The Sunbed Song
15. Hot Water

LEVEL 42 LIVE AT BILLBOARD JAPAN

LEVEL 42 LIVE AT BILLBOARD JAPAN…………. SEPT 1ST BILLBOARD YOKOHAMA………. SEPT. 3RD & 4TH BILLBOARD LIVE TOKYO……SEPT.6TH BILLBOARD LIVE OSAKA!!!!!! COME AND GET YOUR FUNK ON WITH LEVEL 42……POWERED BY ROTOSOUND STRINGS