Mark King (music)
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Mark King (born 20 October 1958) is the lead singer and bass player of the band Level 42. In the early 80s he revolutionized the slap and pop style for playing the bass guitar.
The slap and pop style was first invented by Larry Graham. Later it was improved by Stanley Clarke and other artists from the black funk and jazz scene. Mark King developed an incredible playing speed with this technique. Furthermore, he introduced and developed new technical elements that enable him to produce a mix of percussive effects while still playing a bass line.
Originally, Mark King pursued a career as a drummer. However, when Level 42 began jamming in 1979, they needed a bass player, and so he took on that role. In the following years he developed into the most influential bass player in his generation. He managed to make the bass guitar a lead instrument not only in the music of Level 42, but in many other bands as well.
In 1984 he released his first solo album titled Influences. In 1998, four years after Level 42 split up, he recorded his second solo album One Man.