Level 42 is an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s. The band gained fame for its high calibre musicianship especially that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits.
They are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard player Mike Lindup's falsetto backing vocals. After originally disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.
Death of Alan Murphy
During 1989, Alan Murphy contracted pneumonia, which was complicated by the fact that he was already suffering from AIDS. His decline was rapid, and he died on October 19, 1989. This was a huge shock to the band, who had not known of Murphy's condition and who had grown so fond of him that they stated at the time that they "could not replace Alan." It's been suggested that Murphy was aware of his condition before joining Level 42. At the time, Go West had been stalled by internal disagreements, and one of Murphy's reasons for joining Level 42 was to ensure that he spent his last days playing the music that he loved. Devastated, Level 42 took a year off to regroup and rethink. To cover the gap and to fulfil the band's contract with Polydor Records, Level Best (a greatest hits compilation) was released in 1990. During the break, Mike Lindup also recorded and released his debut solo album, Changes (featuring Dominic Miller, Pino Palladino on bass and Manu Katché on drums).
Current members
The Level 42 lineup has stayed consistent since 2006, when Mike Lindup returned to the position of full-time keyboard player.
* Mark King: Bass, Vocals (1980 - 1994, 2001 - present)
* Mike Lindup: Keyboards,Vocals (1980 - 1994; 2006 - present)
* Gary Husband: Drums (1987 - 1993; 2001 - present)
* Nathan King: Guitars (2001 - present)
* Sean Freeman: Saxophone (2001 - present)
Studio albums
* 1981 - Level 42
* 1982 - Strategy - The Early Tapes
* 1982 - The Pursuit of Accidents
* 1983 - Standing in the Light
* 1984 - True Colours
* 1985 - World Machine
* 1987 - Running in the Family
* 1988 - Staring at the Sun
* 1991 - Guaranteed
* 1994 - Forever Now
* 2006 - Retroglide
Top 40 singles
Between 1980 and 1994, Level 42 had a total of 30 Singles in the UK charts. The following 20 singles reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart:
1981: "Love Games" - #38
1983: "The Chinese Way" - #24
1983: "The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)" - #10
1983: "Micro Kid" - #37
1984: "Hot Water" - #18
1985: "Something About You" - #6
1985: "Leaving Me Now" - #15
1986: "Lessons in Love" - #3
1987: "Running in the Family" - #6
1987: "To Be With You Again" - #10
1987: "It's Over" - #10
1987: "Children Say" - #22
1988: "Heaven in My Hands" - #12
1988: "Take a Look" - #32
1989: "Tracie" - #25
1989: "Take Care of Yourself" - #39
1991: "Guaranteed" - #17
1994: "Forever Now" - #19
1994: "All Over You" - #26
1994: "Love In A Peaceful World" - #31
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