Level 42 about the story of their three biggest hits – Ekdom in de Morgen
Mark King and Mike Lindup of Level 42 were guests of Gerard Ekdom to talk about their three biggest hits, past, present and future.
Mark King and Mike Lindup of Level 42 were guests of Gerard Ekdom to talk about their three biggest hits, past, present and future.
In the states, Level 42 may only be seen as two-hit-wonders thanks to the massive success of “Something About You’ and “Lessons in Love” in the mid-80s. But around the rest of the world, Level 42 were viewed as a seriously complex group merging funk, r&b, jazz and rock in ways few others have ever done. Founding members bassist Mark King and keyboardist Mike Lindup finally closed up shop in the mid-90s, but reunited in 2006 and have steadily toured the world ever since. In this deep chat, Mike and I go over the band’s history, the stories behind some of their songs, his excellent, but under-heard solo album, and what he’s up to now. There’s also a hilarious Bill Murray story at the end. On a personal note, this is a big one for me as Mike owns my all-time favorite singing voice.
Keyboard legend Mike Lindup reminisces on how Roland’s D-50 synthesizer helped shape some of Level 42’s best-known tracks. Back in 1987, as their fame reached epidemic proportions, the band were spending most of their time on the road, playing arenas all over the world – both as headliners and opening for the likes of Madonna and Tina Turner. Needing to work on new material, Mike put together a studio that he could use on the road, which just happened to include a new and rather interesting Roland synth called the D-50…
Mark King and Mike Lindup of Level 42 chatting with Pat Sharp just before their headline set in front of 10,000 people at Let’s Rock The Moor! 16th May 2015.
Broadcast date: 01/09/1982
Mike Lindup plays his Fender Rhodes Mk1Stage 73 and Dave Smith Prophet08, demonstrating some of the parts and patches that are signature to the sound of Level 42. Filmed during the RITF 25th anniversary Tour in October 2012