Level 42
| Level 42 | |
|---|---|
Level 42 in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Isle of Wight, England |
| Genres | Jazz-funk,sophisti-pop,dance-rock,new wave,synthpop |
| Years active | 1980–1994, 2001–present |
| Labels | Polydor, RCA, W14 / Universal, Level42 Records |
| Website | www |
| Members |
Mark King Mike Lindup Nathan King Sean Freeman Pete Ray Biggin |
| Past members |
Phil Gould Rowland 'Boon' Gould Gary Husband Alan Murphy |
Level 42 are an English band, who had a number of UK and worldwide hits during the 1980s and 1990s.
Their most successful single in the UK was "Lessons in Love", which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, upon its release in 1986. The earlier single, "Something About You" was their most successful single in the United States, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
After much success as a live and studio band in the 1980s, Level 42's commercial profile diminished during the early 1990s following a series of personnel changes and musical shifts. After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.
Mark King and the Gould brothers (Phil and Rowland, the latter generally known by his nickname "Boon") were all brought up on the Isle of Wight and played together in various bands during their teenage years. Phil Gould went on to study at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he met keyboard player Mike Lindup in a percussion course. Both musicians found that they shared musical heroes: Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett and Jan Hammer.
By 1979, Phil Gould and Mark King were both based in London and became involved in Robin Scott's pop project M. While working with M, they became acquainted with Afro-French keyboard player Wally Badarou, who played synthesizer on M's US number one single "Pop Muzik". In late 1979, Phil Gould introduced Mark King and Mike Lindup to each other, and all of them began playing together in loose rehearsal sessions, developing their own jazz-funk fusion style. The developing band's original guitarist was Dominic Miller (later to find fame playing with Sting), but he was replaced by Boon Gould on the latter's return from working in the United States.
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