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Mark King and Level 42 have just announced 2025 tour dates and he talks to us here about …

 

… the value of what you learn in covers bands from being ignored.

 

… why being thrown out of home for being thrown out of school was the best thing that ever happened to him.

 

… Level 42’s first gig, kicked off after four songs.

 

… Chile, Turkey and other new markets on the “flatter world” tour circuit.

 

... supporting the Police, Tina Turner, Queen and Madonna in the ‘80s.

 

… how John McLaughlin (from Doncaster) and Allan Holdsworth (Bradford) inspired other people “from far-flung places like us”.

 

… Rockin’ Robin, Long-Haired Lover From Liverpool and playing three nights a week in an Isle of Wight novelty act, aged 11.

 

… the onstage dynamic between Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins.

 

… the complications of having to book big venues two years in advance.

 

… being the bassist in the Prince’s Trust house band backing Bowie and Mick Jagger.

 

… Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and “the genius” of Steve Winwood.

 

Level 42s World Machine 40th Anniversary Tour here:

https://www.level42.com/


Find out more about how to help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

","author_name":"Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold"}