Tony Levin

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An American Bass Player

Tony Levin is an American musician best know for his work with British progressive rock artists Peter Gabriel and King Crimson, he's also known for his use of the electric musical instrument known as the Chapman Stick.

Early Career 

Originally from Massachusetts, Tony Levin moved to New York City in the 70's where he became a much sought after session musician playing bass on albums by some of the biggest names in music during the 70's and 80's including Alice Cooper, Art Garfunkel, Cher, James Taylor, John Lennon, Judy Collins, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Peter Frampton, Pink Floyd, and Yes. See Tony Levin's Discography for the complete list.

Working with producer Bob Ezrin on Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare, and Lou Reed's Berlin lead to working on the first Peter Gabriel solo album, and Tony has recorded and toured with Gabriel ever since.

 

This clip show Tony performing with Peter Gabriel's band in 1978.

Peter Gabriel 1978 LIVE - "White Shadow"

This is "White Shadow" from the Rockpalast 1978 Show. Enjoy! KidSX a.k.a. Rayray

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Tony worked with Robert Fripp on Peter Gabriel's first three solo albums, then played on Fripp's 1979 album, Exposure. This lead to Tony joining Fripp's new band, Discipline, later renamed King Crimson, which had been the band Fripp was best known for being a member of in the early 70's.

 

Peter Gabriel 1: Car

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Peter Gabriel

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Peter Gabriel

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Exposure

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Security

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The First Crimson Years 

The new King Crimson released their first album, Discipline in 1981, and Levin's use of the Chapman Stick on it would go on to be considered one of the biggest influences on future users of the instrument.

Frame By Frame - King Crimson 

King Crimson - Frame By Frame

Performed on the BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test back in 1982

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The Collectable King Crimson, Vol. 2 Live in Bath 1981

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Discipline

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Beat

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Three of a Perfect Pair: 30th Anniversary

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Funk Fingers 

This version of King Crimson only released three albums before breaking up in 1984. The same year, Levin released a book of black and white photos called Road Photos which are photos Tony took while on tour with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and others.

While working on the song Big Time for Peter Gabriel's 1986 album, So, drummer Jerry Marotta drummed on the bass strings. Tony attempted to recreate the sound for the live performances using one drum stick. Gabriel suggested he attach the sticks to his fingers, and Tony's guitar tech at the time, Andy Moore, actually designed the first set of Funk Fingers

Big Time - Peter Gabriel 

Tony performing Big Time before Funk Fingers, using a single drumstick.

Peter Gabriel - Big Time - Spectrum Philadelphia July 20th,

Peter Gabriel - Big Time - Spectrum Philadelphia July 20th, 1987

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So

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Us

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Secret World and Double Trio 

Tony toured with Peter Gabriel on the Secret World Tour in 1993, during which the Secret World Live CD and DVD were recorded.

In 1994 King Crimson reformed as a "double trio" (Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew on guitar; Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto on drums/ percussion, Tony Levin on bass and Chapman Stick and Trey Gunn on Warr Guitar), which lasted long enough to release Vrooom, Thrak and Thrakattak.

Even though Tony wasn't a part of King Crimson when it reformed as a quartet after Thrakattak, he did participate in the experimental sub-groups of King Crimson, ProjeKct One in 1997 and ProjeKct Four in 1998.

 

Shaking the Tree: 16 Golden Greats

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Secret World Live

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Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live

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VROOOM

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THRAK

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Thrakattak

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Black Light Syndrome

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The ProjeKcts

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Cirkus: The Young Person's Guide to King Crimson - Live

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Vrooom Vrooom

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1998 And Beyond 

Tony Levin and Bill Bruford, who was also no longer a part of King Crimson, formed Bruford Levin Upper Extremities in 1998. Also in 1998, Tony teamed up with members of Dream Theater to form Liquid Tension Experiment.

Tony has his own band, The Tony Levin Band, which appears on his solo albums, and features drummer Jerry Marotta, and Tony's brother, Pete Levin on keyboards. Tony has also worked with the California Guitar Trio, who originally met at one of Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft Courses in 1987.

Tony rejoined King Crimson in 2004, after Trey Gunn left the group. In 2006, Tony released Resonator, which is the first of Tony's solo albums to include vocals, it also has a guess appearance by Adrian Belew, which marks the first time the two have worked together on a studio album since King Crimson's Thrak. In 2007, Stick Man was released which features Tony playing the Chapman Stick, accompanied by Pat Mastelotto of King Crimson on drums.

Tony was on tour with King Crimson in 2008 for their 40th anniversary, and the 10th anniversary live performance of Liquid Tension Experiment, which was recorded in Chicago on June 2008, is expected to be released soon with another studio album in the works.

Elephant Talk - Tony Levin Band 

Tony Levin Band - "Elephant Talk" (Mexican TV show)

The Tony Levin Band performs "Elephant Talk" at "Animal Nocturno", a late night live TV show made in Mexico City. Check out mister Jerry Marotta playing with the set decoration.

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Resonator Tour Promo Clip - Tony Levin Band 

TONY LEVIN BAND PROMO USA version

Promo video for TONY LEVIN BAND RESONATOR US TOUR

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Eve - California Guitar Trio 

California Guitar Trio with Tony Levin play Eve

This video is of The California Guitar Trio rehearsing their beautiful song "Eve" accompanied by Tony Levin on Bass. It was taken an hour or two before their show on Oct 19, 2007 at Keegan's Ales in Kingston, NY.

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Spontaneous Combustion

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Liquid Tension Experiment

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Liquid Tension Experiment 2

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BLUE Nights

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Tony's Discography: Its So Big... 

You May Not Find The Complete List Anywhere Else!

Tony Levin CD's & DVD's 

Vote on your favorites, or add more!

Stick Man

Stick Man

2007 release from King Crimson bassist and studio more...0 points

Waters of Eden

Waters of Eden

The bassist Tony Levin, widely known for his work more...0 points

Pieces of the Sun

Pieces of the Sun

Like John Paul Jones and Jeff Beck, Tony Levin is more...0 points

All of Tony Levin's solo work is available from
Tony Levin's Road Diary


AKA Papa Bear Records

Tony Levin In The News 

Sadites lands on Fusion Street
Out of the box, big boss stick man Kenny Aronoff and bass guru Tony Levin drive the melody of the songSwarmdeep inside your frontal lobe. ...
Freaky Facts About the Famous on the Oregon Coast
I've had the pleasure of talking to drummer Bill Bruford (Yes, Genesis), bassist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel) and Pat Mastelleto (Mr. Mister ? and who also ...
Go! Calendar: June 12-18
Also: California Guitar Trio with Tony Levin, 9 pm June 13, $35. Also: Open Mic Finals, 7 pm June 14, $8. Also: Open Mic Night, 7:30 pm June 17, $4. ...
ARTS CALENDAR: Sunday, June 21 - Saturday, June 27
THE CENTER FOR ARTS IN NATICK It's rock with the Stick Men featuring Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto and Michael Bernier at 8 pm Tickets are $38/$25. ...

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charlino wrote...

5* Lens Roll = Bravo!

ReplyPosted March 17, 2009

lakeerieartists wrote...

Very cool lens. Love it and learned alot.

ReplyPosted December 28, 2008

marsha32 wrote...

Nicely put together lens!

ReplyPosted November 18, 2008

jfield wrote...

What a wonderful lens. I learned a lot about Tony Levin--didn't realize that his association w/King Crimson was just a small part of his musical career.

ReplyPosted November 17, 2008

aj2008 wrote...

What a labour of love! As he is a session player I doubt he was playing with King Crimson when I saw them in Guildford. But he is probably playing on some of the Pink Floyd albums I have!

ReplyPosted October 09, 2008

 

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