Standing in the Light
The original Level 42 line-up consisted of Mark King (bass, drums and lead vocals), Boon Gould (guitar), Phil Gould (drums), all from the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England; and Londoner Mike Lindup (keyboards and vocals). It could be argued that the fifth member was Wally Badarou, whose ideas heavily influenced the Level 42 sound.
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Skip to the gig if you can't wait!
What the band wasn't called!
Powerline, 88 or a Kick in the Head
...but you need love like you need a - kick in the head
The origin of the band name Level 42 isn't entirely clear. Mark King and Boon Gould were adamant that the band's name should simply be a number, and they both liked the name '88', after the number of the bus they caught to rehearsals. However, it turned out that there was already a band called 'Rocket 88' so they abandoned the idea.
Two other names were considered, 'Powerline' which was rejected and subsequently used by another of their producer's (Andy Sojka) bands - and 'Kick in the Head' which was also rejected, but used as a working title for a song on the True Colours album. Although the song title became A Floating Life, it did actually contain the lyric 'kick in the head'.
The origin of the band name Level 42 isn't entirely clear. Mark King and Boon Gould were adamant that the band's name should simply be a number, and they both liked the name '88', after the number of the bus they caught to rehearsals. However, it turned out that there was already a band called 'Rocket 88' so they abandoned the idea.
Two other names were considered, 'Powerline' which was rejected and subsequently used by another of their producer's (Andy Sojka) bands - and 'Kick in the Head' which was also rejected, but used as a working title for a song on the True Colours album. Although the song title became A Floating Life, it did actually contain the lyric 'kick in the head'.
Level 42
The Meaning of Life, the Universe & Everything
While still pondering the name of their band, King, Gould and Sojka all claim to have been reading the comedy science-fiction novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. In the book a supercomputer works out the answer to the question: 'What is the meaning of life, the universe and everything?' And the answer? '42'.
Using the word 'Level' was suggested by a lawyer working for the band.
Using the word 'Level' was suggested by a lawyer working for the band.
The Band
The original line-up
Level 42 went through several changes over the 80s and early 90s. The original line-up was:- Mark King - bass, lead vocals
- Mike Lindup - keyboards, backing vocals
- Boon Gould - guitar
- Phil Gould - drums
Wally Badarou had been associated with Mark King and Phil Gould (all members of a band called 'M') prior to the formation of Level 42 in 1980, and his influence pervaded the early Level 42 sound.
All five of them were involved in the songwriting.
Examples of individual brilliance
Some of the band member's solo work
Changes
As Years Go By
Level 42 became a more commercial hit with the release of their 1985 album World Machine. The musical direction of the band also altered and after the massively successful Running in the Family album, the Gould brothers left. It was claimed that Phil Gould was unhappy with the newer 'pop' sound of the band.
This began a series of changes in the team. Gary Husband took over on drums, and Alan Murphy on guitar. There is a great website, setting out all the band changes along with photographs and dates here.
The current line-up is:
This began a series of changes in the team. Gary Husband took over on drums, and Alan Murphy on guitar. There is a great website, setting out all the band changes along with photographs and dates here.
The current line-up is:
- Mark King - bass and vocals
- Mike Lindup - keyboards and vocals
- Gary Husband - drums
- Nathan King - guitars
- Sean Freeman - saxophone
Why Level 42 though?
Why choose them for a Virtual Concert?
I have seen Level 42 live on many occasions, and I think they are - and were - one of the best live bands ever! All the band member past and present are fantastically talented musicians, true musical artists and experts of their chosen instruments.Add to that the showmanship and entertainment that goes into the shows, and the friendly warmth between the band and the audience - I cannot wait to see them again in October 2008.
But I bet you're waiting to hear some music, huh? I've included some very famous songs, and also some fairly obscure oldies - which I love! Enjoy the concert folks!
All proceeds from this lens are donated 100% to the Squidoo Charity Fund
Welcome to the Level 42 Virtual Gig
Level 42 Links
Official & Fan Websites
- Official Level 42 website
- The official site, run by Morgan Roussel and Paul Hammond.
- The Level 42 Facebook page
- Visit Level 42 on Facebook.
- Level 42 on Wikipedia
- Detailed information about Level 42 on Wikipedia.
- MySpace Level 42
- Level 42's MySpace page, with info and music.
- Level 42/Mark King Website
- Info and news fansite about Level 42 and Mark King.
- Forever Now website
- The music of Level 42 on the web.
Level 42 gear
Bass tab books to Level 42 on CD
Add your voice...
...the chant has begun!
EverythingMouse wrote...
I love Level 42 and have seen them in concert many times!
Posted August 04, 2008
Spook wrote...
Don't know too much about this lot but enjoyed the lens anyway.
Posted August 04, 2008
GypsyPirate wrote...
Great job for the Virtual Concert series - I loved this lens.
Posted August 03, 2008
Early Level 42
Some fantastic gems here
My favorite charities
World Wildlife Fund - WWF
I have been a benefactor of WWF for five years, and have supported several high profile campaigns. One of particular importance to me was the fundraising efforts to protect and help snow leopards. The latest call to action is in support of the critically endangered Amur leopard, which lives in the Russian Far East, China and North Korea. There are less than 35 left in the wild, and it's time to save them.To join and support WWF in its efforts in animal conservation, protecting the environment and animal habitats, please visit World Wildlife Fund.
Cancer Research UK
I have also supported Cancer Research UK for several years. It is the UK's leading charity dedicated to cancer research, supporting advances in cancer treatment at research centres in 35 towns across the country.To add your valuable help in the fight, visit Cancer Research UK.
Blogs about Level 42
Virtual Concert Week on Squidoo
Music To Raise Money = A Good Time By All
U2 talks about the One Campaign in every concert they have. Coldplay talks about Oxfam International. A stage with thousands of screaming adoring fans is a good time to promote a good cause.Remember "We Are the World"? Farm Aid? Band Aid? All hosted to raise money for causes. How? Bands got together to perform, raise awareness and donate money. What a great idea!
Summer is concert season. It seems like all bands go on tour. Nothing like live music on a warm summer night!
What if you could host a benefit concert? You have a cause that's important to you. What better way to have it announced than by your favorite performer in a room full of people who paid big bucks to get there?
This is the point of the Virtual Concert Week on Squidoo.
Who would you pick and what cause would you raise money for? Make a lens and tell us about it!
Images: Squid Singer. © Kirsti A. Dyer. Some Rights Reserved.
