Mark King moved to London with Boon Goulld and Phil Gould in the late 70s, enlisted Mike Lindup and formed Level 42- named after the meaning of life ("42") in Douglas Adams' novel The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Driven by the former drummer King's virtuoso thumb-slapped bass, Level 42 (1981), The Pursuit Of Accidents (1982) and Standing In The Light (1983) spawned occasional hits, notably 1983's 'The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up).

By diluting Funk to Pop, Thru Colours (1984)and A Physical Presence (1985) began a commercial upswing which peaked with World Machine (1985) and Running In The Family (1987). The brothers Gould exited in 1987, Staring At The Sun (1988) and Guaranteed (1991) were only fleetingly successful and few tears were shed when Forever Now (1994) turned out to be their last gasp.

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