AN 80s music legend has opened up about having his thumb insured for millions of pounds and how he believes a forthcoming Colchester show will be an “absolute joy”.
Bassist extraordinaire and the frontman of the chart-topping jazz-funk band Level 42, Mark King, has spoken to The Gazette ahead of next month’s 80s Calling Festival event.
Level 42 will be performing in Lower Castle Park on August 3, whilst The Human League tops the bill and there will also be appearances from Bananarama, The Farm, Hue and Cry, and The Christians.
Mark, 65, and Level 42 gained widespread acclaim in the UK and US throughout the 1980s with songs like ‘Running in the Family’, ‘Love Games’, ‘The Sun Goes Down’ and more.
Bass player and frontman - Mark King from Level 42 attending the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, in June last year (Image: Ian West / PA)
The bassist is extremely looking forward to the show.
He said: “For me, it is an absolute joy, it is a themed festival, it is 80s calling, it is a celebration of bands of that era, I’m very proud to be a part of that.
“There is a musical legacy from that period that stands the test of time.
“The Colchester show is going to be fantastic because it's a really strong lineup, and it's always a joy to be on stage with The Human League.
“44 years on and here we are, we're still doing it.
“We're still pulling in the crowds, and I couldn't be happier.
“It's another unashamed trip down memory lane but what's wrong with that?”
Throughout the years, Mark has cemented himself as very skilled bassist that has mastered the slap bass guitar technique.
His skills have been so in-demand that Polydor Records insured his thumb for the staggering price of £3million in the 1980s.
Explaining the situation, Mark said: “Exactly £3million was my recollection on the whole thing.
“I suppose Polydor saw us as an asset, and they were just going to sign a heavy deal with us which they did.
Live - Mark King performing live at a previous gig (Image: Public)
“So, they were assuring their asset, I told you at the start of the call that I'm out in a field carting bales now, so my penchant for country pursuits probably put the wind up them a bit.
“So if I get into a chainsaw accident, poof there goes their investment, so it makes sense in a way.”
Moving forward, Level 42 will be re-issuing three records, 1983’s Standing in the Light, 1985’s World Machine, and 1987’s Running in The Family, in October.
And Mark revealed he’s a fan of so many bassists, including Jack Bruce of Cream, Thundercat, and many more, saying there is “so many incredible players”.
When asked if Level 42 could ever return after the August event for a headline show, Mark answered in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.
He said: “Of course, I would absolutely love to come and play Colchester.
“We will see how many people start throwing things on August 3 and we will take it from there.”
To find out more about the 80s Calling Festival, visit colchester-events.co.uk/event/80s-calling-the-human-league.
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