Level 42 Forums

1. 

   Marie Kyle
   

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   Just carrying on from a discussion on another thread, but giving it it's own space.

   Mark and the band are going to be exceptionally busy this year due to the "30th Anniversary". They have planned mini tours in places such as Japan, where they haven't been for many years. Also going to smaller venues in places they normally wouldn't go.

   Does anyone else think this may be a final frenzied farewell before they all do their own thing quietly and bring the L42 banner out for special occasions only?
   Or do you just think they are trying to get to as many places as they can in this special year? Did they do this on their 25th? Or on any other Anniversary?

   I hate to say this too, but L42 won't go on forever. There will come a time in the not so distant future, when Mark will call a halt to the touring and take more of a backseat in his music career. But you can be sure we won't have seen or heard the last of him even then...a musician never retires, they just rest for longer in between jobs!

   I sincerely hope I'm wrong. What do you guys think?

   Posted 6 months ago #
2. 

   CEL
   

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   IMO, it's just the nature of things. All bands that miraculously keep going after 20 or 25 years eventually reach a point where they start doing less and less as time continues to go by. Sometimes it's just because the band members are getting older and want to devote more time to things outside of the band and sometimes it's just the way the music business operates (they become more of a touring-only act after awhile as they and their fanbase gets older). I could see Level 42 going the way of comparable American acts like Earth, Wind, & Fire and Chicago in which they play lots of smaller venues and large music festivals each year--but they stay active that way. At the same time, they only tour when they want to as they're not under any obligations from a record company.

   Personally, I think the day that Level 42 will simply stop altogether will be the day Mark decides to have a garage sale and sell of all his basses and vow never to pick one up again. At this point, I think Level 42 is more of the "Mark King Band" than it was originally and it may be as much a continuing musical outlet for Mark as it is for L42's greatest hits. We may see the band doing less in the years ahead, but I think it's swan song isn't here yet...

   Posted 6 months ago #
3. 

   Marie Kyle
   

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   Thank you for your answer CEL.

   It just struck me with Gary Husband vanishing from the band this year with no definite date for his return, that maybe he's had enough after 22 years. He's certainly picked a strange year to make this decision. I haven't heard anything about what is actually keeping him from touring with Level 42 this year. I must admit, I'm curious.

   It certainly will be odd having a younger guy in the band. I wonder how Pete will cope with the L42 guys.

   Posted 6 months ago #
4. 

   Rocky Bronzino
   

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   At this point, I think Level 42 is more of the "Mark King Band" than it was originally

   Indeed.

   It just struck me with Gary Husband vanishing from the band this year with no definite date for his return, that maybe he's had enough after 22 years.

   While he may get a kick out of it, and he has been the star performer of the most recent shows I've been to, for someone of Gary's talent to be tied down for several months of the year, essentially knocking out the same old, same old, with no hope of ever putting out something genuinely new and creative (as a part of Level 42), it's bound to get a little tired.

   Would be suprised to ever see him back.

   Posted 6 months ago #
5. 

   Robbie
   

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   Gary won't be coming back...

   Posted 6 months ago #
6. 

   davidrault
   

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   i think l42 will come back for a tour in 1 or 2 years, and so on, etc.

   i'm not sure about mike lindup though. he always looks so depressed on stage since he came back. i'm always trying to catch a smile, like "before", but it never happens. his face always look tense and tired.

   Posted 6 months ago #
7. 

   Anna
   

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   I do think that Level 42 is definitely Mark King's band now and it will be him that makes the final decisions about how long to keep it going. Having said that I think the band is in such a strong position now and having had a few years under their belts after the reforming they are so polished and professional live. Having Mike back in the saddle for me is the icing on the cake and I think the new dynamics that Sean & Nathan bring to the band are just superb. The arrangements of the songs to fit this line-up for me have been great and kept everything fresh.
   Personally, I think that as they have the going good at the moment and are simply enjoying themselves they will keep touring.

   Posted 6 months ago #
8. 

   mike iow
   

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   To quote from an MK interview:

   "All the time the Fans come along to see the band we will continue to perform".

   Posted 6 months ago #
9. 

   Marie Kyle
   

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   Gary won't be coming back...

   Robbie...what makes you so sure about that? If you have heard something, please share.

   To quote from an MK interview:

   "All the time the Fans come along to see the band we will continue to perform".

   Mike...what Mark says in an interview is usually what he wants to tell people and not always how he truly feels, I would assume. Plus things change with life circumstances. L42 has more members than just MK, so if they make a major decision or have other commitments, as we have recently seen with Gary Husband, it may not always be his choice.
   Public interviews are often somewhat misleading.

   Posted 6 months ago #
10. 

    Bob C
    

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    My feeling on this is if and when they're going to have a final tour, it will be promoted as a final tour.

    Posted 6 months ago #

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