Level 42 have had thirteen official members since the jazz-funk band formed on the Isle of Wight in 1979. The current line-up is Mark King (bass and vocals), Mike Lindup (keyboards and vocals), Nathan King (guitar), Sean “Skip” Freeman (saxophone), Pete Ray Biggin (drums), Dan Carpenter (trumpet) and Nichol Thomson (trombone). The original line-up was King, Lindup and brothers Phil and Rowland “Boon” Gould, with Wally Badarou as a long-standing studio collaborator.
The band disbanded in 1994 and reformed in 2001. Here is every official member, with roles and years as the band’s own member list gives them, followed by the main touring and session players.
Mark King – Bass Guitar, Vocals (1979–1994, 2001–present)
King grew up on the Isle of Wight with the Gould brothers and formed the band in London in 1979 after working with Phil Gould on Robin Scott’s project M. He has fronted every line-up.
Mike Lindup – Keyboards, Synthesizers, Piano, Vocals (1979–1994, 2001–present)
Lindup met Phil Gould on a percussion course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and joined the band at its formation. He rejoined in 2001 but did not tour with the band between 2001 and 2006.
Nathan King – Guitar, Backing Vocals (2001–present)
Guitarist since the 2001 reformation.
Sean “Skip” Freeman – Saxophone, Backing Vocals (2001–present)
Saxophonist since the reformation.
Pete Ray Biggin – Drums (2010–present)
Biggin took over the drums from Gary Husband in 2010.
Dan Carpenter – Trumpet, Backing Vocals (2013–present)
Trumpeter since 2013.
Nichol Thomson – Trombone, Backing Vocals (2013–present)
Trombonist since 2013.
Phil Gould – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals (1979–1987, 1993–1994, 2004)
The original drummer, Phil Gould played on every release up to Live at Wembley (1987), returned for Forever Now (1994) and appeared again in 2004.
Rowland “Boon” Gould – Guitar, Early Saxophone (1979–1987, 2012)
Boon Gould was the original guitarist through 1987, guested on Retroglide (2006) and returned briefly in 2012. He died in 2019.
Gary Husband – Drums, Backing Vocals (1988–1993, 2001–2010)
Husband replaced Phil Gould in 1988, played through Guaranteed Live (1992), and drummed for the reformed band from 2001 until 2010, with Billy Cobham substituting in 2008.
Alan Murphy – Guitar (1988–1989)
Murphy played guitar on Staring at the Sun (1988) and until his death in 1989; Allan Holdsworth then recorded on Guaranteed (1991).
Other Former Members
- Steve Topping – guitar (1988)
- Lyndon Connah – keyboards, backing vocals (touring 1990; member 2001–2006)
Touring and Session Musicians
Keyboardist Wally Badarou played on every release from Level 42 (1981) to Forever Now (1994) and has worked with the band since 2001 without being an official member. Saxophonists Gary Barnacle (1981, 1988–1994) and Krys Mach (1984–1988), backing vocalist Annie McCaig (1985–1992), trumpeter John Thirkell (1988–1994), guitarists Allan Holdsworth (1990) and Jakko Jakszyk (1991–1994), and drummer Gavin Harrison (1994 tour) were among the touring players.
Level 42 Line-Up Changes at a Glance
- 1979: Mark King, Mike Lindup, Phil Gould and Boon Gould form the band.
- 1987: Both Gould brothers leave after Running in the Family; Gendler and Conti fill in on tour.
- 1988: Husband and Murphy join; Murphy dies in 1989.
- 1993–1994: Phil Gould returns for Forever Now; the band disbands in 1994.
- 2001: Reformation with Nathan King, Freeman, Connah and Husband.
- 2010–2013: Biggin replaces Husband; Carpenter and Thomson join in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the current members of Level 42? Mark King, Mike Lindup, Nathan King, Sean Freeman, Pete Ray Biggin, Dan Carpenter and Nichol Thomson.
- Who were the original members? Mark King, Mike Lindup, Phil Gould and Boon Gould, in 1979.
- Is Wally Badarou a member of Level 42? No; he is a long-standing session keyboardist who played on all their albums from 1981 to 1994.
- When did Level 42 split and reform? They disbanded in 1994 and reformed in 2001.
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