Pop music may be getting simpler—or perhaps it isn’t—but Mark King, bassist for Level 42, believes the level of musicianship among young musicians today is higher than ever before.
King, known for his virtuoso slap bass technique, argues that the latest generation of musicians is just as talented as any he’s ever encountered, and he credits YouTube for helping them hone their skills.
“The standard of musicianship amongst young musicians is higher now than it’s ever been, certainly in all the time I can remember,” King told Bang Showbiz.
He admits that he’s never been too keen on formal music education. “For me, it’s always been about seeing someone perform something, understanding it, and thinking, ‘Oh yeah, I can do that.’ That’s the magic of platforms like YouTube now,” he said.
King shared his thoughts while attending the Gibson Garage London Jam for Jack, a musical tribute to the late Jack Bruce, bassist of Cream. The event is part of a series celebrating the first anniversary of the Gibson Garage, a store opened last year by rock legends Jimmy Page, Brian May, and Tony Iommi.
Reflecting on his early days in the music industry, King recalled how he and fellow Level 42 members Phil and Boon Gould (drums and guitar) felt the need to move to London from their hometown on the Isle of Wight in order to succeed. He also shared an amusing story about the unconventional mode of transport that helped him make the journey.
“I bought my old milk rounds van for 35 quid, drove it to London, and spent my first night in the back of the van,” King reminisced. “And for some reason, I decided to make the trip in February, so it was freezing cold.”
Noting the stark contrast to the present day, King added, “It’s different now. Today, you can record an album in your bedroom, you can create music from anywhere.”
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