An interview with Mark King of Level 42. About his life on the Isle of Wight and music. Taken from the Live Metropolis DVD. Please subscribe to my channel for more Level 42 and Mark King videos.
What a bloody brilliant piece of film making! Absolutely loved the way he was just encouraged to share all these wonderful stories and experiences with us. The man is a musical genius and yet still so humble and grateful for his life. He’s right too, the 80s were magical in so many ways 🎹🎸🎶💃
I've been a big fan of Level 42 ever since I first bought Love Games in 1981, always loved seeing them live and witnessing their supreme musicianship, whatever the line up of the band. The jewel in the Level 42 crown has always been Mark King. His outstanding bass playing, whether in full on jazz funk, slapping and snapping mode or in a moody walking bass line. His ability to play bass, sing and chew gum at the same time is the 8th wonder of the world. What I especially like about him is that he is a grounded man, devoid of ego, a true man of the people, a humble man. I have the utmost respect for his playing and song writing genius and I think his "ordinariness" makes the appeal even greater. Thanks for posting this video......brilliant 😃
Brilliant interview from Mark. I could listen to him all day. Plus that bass guitar he's showing us here is the bass he plays on RU-vid live from Montruex 1983
First time i heard Level 42 it was in club (Barcelona), With lessons in love ,with this groovy bass coming from speakers woaw..that s. when it was released for first time , it was unforgettable moment in my life i knew later that it was Level 42 .. A superb band. Very humble giant bassplayer.
Dani Dillon HI DANI YES THIS BAND WILL ALWAYS BE #1 DURING THE EARLY 80S I WAS A KID THEN DIDN'T KNOW OF THEM TILL I WAS 15 IN 85' AND SAW SOMETHING ABOUT YOU VIDEO ON MTV THEN 87' LESSON IN LOVE & RUNNING IN THE FAMILY MAN? WHEN I BOUGHT BOTH CASSETTE TAPE BACK THEN WHORE THOSE SONG OUT ESPECIALLY CHILDREN SAY AND TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN I'M 1 BROTHER WILL NEVER STOP JAMN LISTENING TO LEVEL 42 TO THIS DAY THEY SONGS STILL GROOVES!!
Long time fan and fellow bassist here. This was brilliantly done. Wonderful guy. Growing up on the UK was great in those days . Bravo Mark. Great interview.
The “Half an hour later” thing made me laugh! Brilliant. I’ve loved l42 for most of my life and for some reason I’ve never watched any interviews?? Loved every second of this ❤
Funnily enough, I know of an Ian Holmes from Lemington, Newcastle Upon Tyne, which is where I grew up. Are you him or just somebody with the same name? Just curious.
I‘m a man of classical music but as a twen in the 80s I couldn‘t help but diving in popular music. And I really adored Level 42 besides Police, Wonder, Hancock, EWF. Amazing times, and Mark King even caused me to buy an Ibanez bass and try some slapping myself 😁
A refreshing interview. Mark is very honest and articulate and of course an off the scale musical innovator. Liked Level 42 in the 80 ‘s but really do appreciate them now.
one of my favorite groups, excellent interview. "Something about You is my favorite song. Mark has aged well, and I appreciated lots of what he reflected on. Well done!
@@oddities-whatnot I've been in similar situations such as that and the feeling you get is to mind your own business. You also can't hear the conversation between interviewer and interviewee, so that also factors into it. It's not like there's a microphone for all to hear what he's saying. It's clear from the very beginning with these things that it's a private conversation.
This had me enthralled. Such a great, anecdotal storyteller. What a nice bloke Mark is. Although, i knew that already. And, as for his talent, well, i don't even need to go there. His reputation precedes him. Nice post. Thanks for doing this for us... \m/ (:o)
Mark King and Level 42 are the only artists that I own their complete library, all the other artists in the world don't compare to their musicianship and genuine creativity.
Really enjoyed this interview. I got lucky enough to come across Mark King the next year as he walked down the street close to Victoria Embarkment in London. I gretted Him warmly and felt so happy to meet him, shaked my hand with one of the best Musicians in History. He was very kind and humble to talk to me for a couple or three minutes; then I took a picture of us together. Was like being in the 80'S back again. Such an unforgettable moment of my life. Thanks Mister King.
Really great interview👍 If anyone deserved to make it in music it's Mark King. To me that's what REAL talent is,he's a brill songwriter an outstanding bassist,just an OVERALL AMAZING musician & person. He took bass playing to a totally different place & for me as a young bassist at the time,it was just so exciting.
Have to say I looked in on this interview out of interest because I had heard a lot of stuff about this bloke being a bit of an ego manic and generally far up himself...pleasantly surprised, he comes across as a very nice fella, grounded and genuine...and what a bassist!!!...just goes to show you cant take notice of what you read in the papers
I have never heard anything like that. He is noted for labelling himself as the "best bassist in the world" and he always said it was said as a joke....yet somehow stuck !
Great man with an awesome talent. Thank God for Mark King and Level 42. Thank you Mark, Mike, Phil and Boon. Thank you every other member who has performed in the group over the years. Mark King is the Jimi Hendrix of the bass. He has eclipsed all the other great bassists including Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Flea and all the others. The really great thing is that he is still so down to earth and genuine. Patrick Diegan signing out.
Always liked mark, genuine guy, he's so right about the 80's and how it compares to todays restrictions. Glad I was about then, being a teenager bang smack in the middle of that incredible decade was a privilege. Do miss those times.
I never knew how Excellent Level 42 were when I heard their stuff in the Eighties. I was a kid and I had an idea what great music was but I Have learnt so much as an Adult. I saw Level 42 at Lugano and I was Blown away by the Complete Musicianship and Musical Brilliance! Mark King must be a robot cos his Bass playing is Impeccable and the rest of the band is the same! I'm a NEW OLD fan! BRILLIANT! :)
Mark, I think you are fantastic. I would love to have a pint with you one day if i come to isle of white. I cant stop listening to your music. Great story of how it came to be. x
awesome interview!! how mind blowing must be to drive by the house you jammed for hours at a time not knowing you would eventually get signed, tour the world and comeback to look at that house where all you did is daydream....amazing!!
Level 42 are way greater than the sum of their parts ... Fabulous musicians individually but together .. exceptional. Mike Lindup is every bit the front runner. I like his modest manner and incredible musicianship. Mixed with Mark King, is just great. The new drummers vid coming in as an 11 yr old during sound check is so nice to watch. Pete's on fire !
I came from "Metal Music" ...and in the 80 i HATE this Kinda Musc! But today i'm completly amazed by this unbeliefable "Bass Player - Mark King"! The whole Band are Totally PRO!!! Musicans!!! But this Man, Mark King makes me to wanna - "DANCE" - YES!!! When i hear'em playing "BASS" that goes through my whole Body, its Amazing to HEAR THAT BASS SOUND!!! This Bass Sound is SO ONCE!!! No one out there have THIS GROOVE ...No one!
Been a fan since the 80's, and where did the years go ?? :( time sure does fly. I had a girl friend from the Isle Of Wight who Lived at Cowes In the 80's, Great times great memories and to top it off Level 42's music around that time always takes me back then. Nice interview with Mark, really seems a down to earth guy, would like to meet one day :)
Fantastic interview . Mark's been there, done that ...so what he says really makes sense . "The eighties were the last decade where everything was possible. Things got one-dimensional and boring in the 90ies".
David, thanks for posting. The Havering Funk Force used to go to Caister and Zero 6 was our home so great to hear Mark talk about them. I know you have watched my stories over the last few weeks so you`ll understand when I say that I wouldn`t sell the t-shirt Mark gave me for any money like he wouldn`t sell his first bass. When I`m dead, try my sons though as they`ll be a bit short without their old man paying for everything !
