In these Post’s, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their Greatest Songs.
Mark King was Born on 20th October 1958 in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK.
His Father “Raymond” was a Dairyman on the Island.
Mark King went to the Cowes High School, while at School, he was Encouraged by his Music Teacher to be a Drummer, which he thought, he could make a “Living” out of!
Mark King was in a Band while at School, they were Named “Re-Flex” but his School Life was to come to an early End, when he was 17, when one Day he Turned up for School in a Pair of Jeans, and was Told by his Head-master “that he School days were Over, and he had to Leave!
After this “King” Left Home and Stayed at a Friends House, Sleeping on the Floor!
Within a Couple of Weeks, he had found a Job, Working on a Production Line, but this was Not to Last too Long, when he Found himself another Job, as a Milkman!
At the Age of 19, in 1977, he Left the Isle of Wight and Headed for London, where he Hoped to find a Job in Music!
He found himself a Job in Music, but it was Working in a Music Shop, Called “Macari’s” as he was a Drummer, he had hoped to Sell Drums, but “Macari’s” did not Sell Drums, but he did see they sold “Bass Guitars” so he told them he could Play the Bass!
So he got the Job, of Selling Bass Guitars and Coffee Boy, so after this, Mark king Started to Learn “How to Play the Bass”
By 1979, he had Formed a Band with Mike Lindup and 2 Friends from the I.O.W, Phil and Boon Gould, they called themselves “Level 42”
At One of their earlier Gigs, they were Spotted by “Andy Sojka” who at that time was Head of an Small Independant Label called “Elite Records” they were Signed up, by the Following Year in 1981 “Level 42” were Signed by “Polydor Records”
After a Couple of Single Releases, without any Success, the Song “Love Games” was Released in 1981, and it was their First Top 40 Hit in the UK, it also Marked “Level 42’s” First “Top of the Pops” Appearance!
After this, Level 42 had Several Years of Hit Records in the UK and Around Europe, they also had 4 Hits in the US, the biggest being “Something About You” which Reached Number 4 on the US Dance Chart.
Mark King had also had 5 Solo Albums over the Years, and at Present is back in “Level 42” with “Mike Lindup” still Touring, and there is Talk of a New Album in 2014!
I saw Mark King and Level 42 back in 1984, it was a Great Show, I Suppose this was when “Level 42” were getting Toward’s their Best, Mark King is by Far “The Best Bass Player in the UK”
My Favorite Level 42 Album is Standing in the Light and my Favorite Single is The Sun Goes Down (living it up).
Here’s the Full “Standing in the Light” Album:
HERE’S “THE SUN GOES DOWN (LIVING IT UP)
HERE’S A SELECTION OF THE BEST OF LEVEL 42
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