David Randall chatted to Mark King for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in July 2016. This hour long special traces the rise of Level 42 in the 1980s and their subsequent reformation. Part 2 of this feature showcases some of Mark King’s solo work.

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Level 42′s first main label album was produced by Mike Vernon (Fleetwood Mac, Focus) and released in 1981.  For the next decade the band developed into one of the most popular mainstream and crossover acts, combining pop melodies with funk rhythms and capturing both a chart and club audience.

1985′s World Machine firmly established Level 42 on the international stage and yielded their biggest U.S. hit ‘Something About You’.

After 1993′s Forever Now album and tour Mark King put the band on ice and pursued a lower-key solo and songwriting career. Less than 10 years later, after including Level 42 material in his live sets and meeting up again with keyboard player Mike Lindup, Mark King reconstituted the band and with brother Nathan on guitar and a horn section.

The band’s latest release – Sirens Tour Live – was recorded at the Indigo O2 in London, September 2015.  They tour extensively in the UK in October 2016.

David Randall chatted recently to band founder/leader Mark King.  Says David: “When I was on eighties radio Level 42 were a staple of our playlists.  Although hugely successful as a mainstream pop act, the band had terrific muso credentials as well.  In a later incarnation, the likes of Gary Husband (drums) and guitarists Allan Holdsworth and Jakko Jakszyk passed through their ranks.”

An hour special was broadcast on Sunday 24 July at 18:00 GMT on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (repeated Thursday 28 July, 22:00 GMT) and explores the band’s history in more depth with key tracks including some from the new live album.

Bonus material has been posted to the Get Ready to ROCK! Radio interview page, where Mark King talks about his bass playing style and solo albums.

More information
Gig review (Manchester, 4 October 2016)
Album review (plus interview edit)

UK dates (October 2016)

Oct 2 Waterfront Hall Auditorium, Belfast
Oct 3 Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Oct 4 The Lowry, Salford Quays
Oct 6 Victoria Hall, Stoke-On-Trent
Oct 7 O2 ABC, Glasgow
Oct 8 Sage Gateshead
Oct 10 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Oct 11 Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Oct 12 Margate Winter Gardens
Oct 14 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Oct 15 Ipswich Regent Theatre
Oct 16 New Theatre Oxford
Oct 18 Portsmouth Guildhall
Oct 19 Colston Hall, Bristol
Oct 21 Bath Pavilion
Oct 22 Truro Hall for Cornwall
Oct 23 Bournemouth Pavilion
Oct 25 G Live, Guildford
Oct 26 Hexagon Theatre, Reading
Oct 28 Watford Colosseum
Oct 29 Eventim Apollo, London

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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