Level 42 - Kansas City Milkman (The Tube, 12.10.1984)

[@simonettasias6535]

The very first song I happened to listen to by Level 42 was Kansas City Milkman, and from that moment I knew they would become my favorite band ever💕

[@ERICF66]

A real band with real musicians an no backing tracks or auto tune....just awesome!! Wish there was more of this in 2020.......

[@generalkawasaki9485]

and no DJ mixing preloaded samples and manipulating sounds that once belonged to real musicians. Where have all the real musicians gone?

[@DisgruntledPigumon]

and then came Annie... 😭😭😭

[@waynedexter]

Sadly we’re in an age where folks can’t be celebratory without mixing in a little toxicity.

[@Coastal_Cruzer]

@@generalkawasaki9485it's not all or nothing. Sampling isn't inherently bad, it's like CGI in movies. Over reliance on it is bad

[@Rashy225]

Ok boomer.

[@aaronhowardjudd]

Getting 6 minutes Live on TV these days is unheard of, but back in 1984, people had a longer attention span.

[@thesuncollective1475]

and longer hair!

[@welshlad6427]

I had longer hair then....now I’ve none 🤨

[@ZenturaAudio]

no gmo. wifi and mind control

[@davidsanderson5918]

Talking of longer attention span, The Tube was a lonnnnnnnnng show with such huge variety....comedy, interviews, videos, live sets, random stuff. We used to stay tuned to it all without changing channel because it was compelling stuff. Anything could happen and usually did....then you'd eventually get the live band. More than being attentive, I wouldn't even call it being 'patient', we were just open to stuff....less judgemental.

[@computerfan1079]

It's still there, it's just moved online. Take a look at KEXP or the Tiny Desk for example.

[@ManuelMartinez-pd9sj]

Most underrated bassist ever. He makes most other bassists overrated. I love this guy 🤘

[@chillidogkev]

Underrated??? Are you normal? The most ridiculous comment I've ever read.

[@liamh9814]

Amazing talent on display, but the drummer is the spine

[@jazzfusioner9840]

Catz name is Phil Gould on the kit...his brother Boon on the electric guitar...

[@rodrigosmithico5950]

Yes he was, hands down, the best of all the level 42 drummers, he was tight af and his tom work... omfg!!!

[@GabrielGarcia-ip2hs]

Wonder why he was let go 😮

[@realityboost4405]

Good God!…Now in January 2024…And we are STILL asking the question as to the greatest ever Funk Band!

[@chiefinspectorshine]

The original lineup is still my favorite and as a previous bassist, Mark was my guy. The whole band worked like a well oiled machine to me and God knows I miss them and the 80's. RIP Boon.

[@calmac9720]

I love Lindup and King's vocal blend.

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

I like the tension of this performance, it suits the theme of paranoia in the song.

[@mackpines]

This NEEDS to be the official song for Kansas City. Man, I love this song! So underrated. 80s music got me through high school. Class of 2018 baby!

[@gr8tbigtreehugger]

...and there 2 Kansas cities!

[@user-xz1yf3ip7d]

Oh yes

[@m623]

Phil Gould one the most underated drummers, Great tune great band 😀😀😀

[@user-xz1yf3ip7d]

Yeah superb

[@rudyzulkarnaen1633]

Phil Gould still is my favorite Level 42 drummer. His drumming added more punch to Mark King's bass sound. Blends really really well. Gary Husband and Pete Ray Biggins are great drummers also. But I kinda missed this kind of punch and groove the original line up delivered.

[@danielmarsden777]

Gary husband in particular is an amazing musician, Phil Goulds groove is irreplaceable.

[@jonbuscall8901]

Privileged to see the band on tour promoting True Colours. This is one of my all time favs. Brilliant musicianship. They were the best of times...

[@gavinheaphy6951]

Awesome gotta see them again

[@davidsanderson5918]

Me too. This performance on The Tube was a few days before I got to see them at Newcastle City Hall. In fact I got there early and I chatted with Phil Gould about this broadcast. Word had got to them that there were sound problems but I said it was good!! I wasn't wrong!!

[@moishe43]

Great song and a rare one where both Mark and Mike sing together. Mike's high harmony really makes the song.

[@Acewhip]

True Colours was an OUTSTANDING album. SO many good bands in 1984 and the lads made it all the way! 😁

[@davidwelsford3189]

Such a great version of this great tune. Marks ability to sing over syncopation is always amazing.

[@benvankoningsveld]

Listening to this right now on headphones, super clean and crisp sound, fantastic!! I saw them live a few times in the 1980's and it was like a religious experience. Hard core fans blew whistles in time with every beat and knew every lyric and it was so thrilling. Never seen another band live that came close to that, maybe Rush but they were a different vibe completely. Phil and Boon are Level 42 for me, Phil especially and he inspired me to start drumming, along with Neil of course. The current Level 42 drummer is super skilled and talented but no, sorry, he does not compare to Phil who just had that perfect X factor for this band.

[@davecoalwood9487]

👍👌

[@danielpalmersofficial]

What an underrated album “True Colours” is, this and “Hot Water” are both great songs. ✌️☺️

[@megasoid]

One of their best songs. Blows the album version out of the water.

[@michaelb.42112]

THE most badass tune on True Colours ...

[@dorianreu]

Those bass grooves sounds so progressive in 2021 as well! 💥

[@chrisnew2752]

Listened to 42 from east coast to west coast no other band. Saw them at bellyup in Solana Beach California

[@chrisnew2752]

Please 🙏 please 🙏 please 🙏 come back to the states. We need to feel ur groove in our veins! Please!

[@dungeondumbo]

One of the best bands ever.

[@garrardhobson300]

Omg so heaps super badass Kia Ora Aroha, music owes you a gigantic debt !!

[@markwoodhouse4284]

The Tube, those were the days. And after listening to these tracks over the last few weeks I've got to comment on how great Krys Mach's sax sound was back then, totally takes me back to the mid 80s.

[@philippem4400]

on avait 20 ans , on était beaux , fous et indestructibles ...........❤

[@JBass42]

Just listen to that Jaydee growl!!

[@robbiesampson5399]

His fav Bass . Bought for only £500 after the band got their first proper payout . Drop D played in this tune also

[@BassChopsBri]

Sounds a lot like your Jaydee growl 😎

[@JBass42]

@@robbiesampson5399 which he then forgot to tune back up for Hot Water , briefly!

[@JBass42]

@@BassChopsBri I miss that beast!!

[@robbiesampson5399]

Yea I know . I did that at my last gig but took me 2 verses to correct lol . Love the way he just reached over and sorted it !

[@stevenhorton7457]

Level 42 with the original line up fantastic band i had the pleasure of seeing them live many times in my youth 👍

[@davecoalwood9487]

Lucky so and so. Saw them for the 1st time at 15 in 88 so nevergot to see the real Level. Always hoped the original Fab Four would play again. Unfortunately We won't see that now. Cheers Steve.

[@stevenhorton7457]

@@davecoalwood9487 The original band were special ,sad that Boon passed away he was a cool player

[@welshlad6427]

My favourite Level 42 track ❤️

[@davidsanderson5918]

Good shout. Always wished the live version was the one they recorded for the album, but hey!

[@steadypace747]

These are the Blessings that are our college days! '85-'86 was my freshman year...So many great musicians/albums: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Prince, Luther Vandross, Morris Day & the Time, Sade, Ready For the World, Whodini, LL Cool J, Eric B. and Rakim, EPMD, Level 42, Sting, Rush, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Tears For Fears, Chick Corea Elektric Band were a few of my faves from that influential period, and I'm sure you can add many more of your own. I was so impressed with, I believe it was, Phil Gould's drumming. I'd still be copying his awesome fills...if my wife would let me buy a new kit...but, I digress...Long live the 80s!

[@Imforeverenglish]

Thats a stellar list right there 👆

[@klct2006]

Mark King is my all favorite bass player!

[@thevan3293]

That synth keyboard & bass guitar go really good together. Level 42 always had that "outside the box" magic grooves sound.

[@DFCKebabus]

One of the best live tracks the band did

[@thesuncollective1475]

killer groove right

[@matthewkerr8790]

One of my all time favourite songs. The bass, the drums, everything is great. Mark King makes it look so easy.

[@mikoferro5115]

Amazing Level 42 !! The Best

[@OGBrawlerina]

Mark King in the 80s 😍😍😍😋😋😋

[@thesuncollective1475]

Kansas City Milkman...was a directive for the press to "keep it simple so a Kansas City Milkman would get it"...It was a saying which L42 has kept alive..more true today than ever

[@Imforeverenglish]

Saw them touring their first album in Colston Hall Bristol then 5 more times including the epic Wembley shows....always top quality musicianship...britfunk to the core. Those were the days. This track or Good Man in a Storm ...absolute slayer basslines

[@liverpoolhw]

Loving the bass and lead mirroring

[@tjuren1]

Mark King in his prime!

[@davidjewood]

Boon you legend RIP

[@GabrielGarcia-ip2hs]

Retro fresh air

[@lassel1644]

I'm a huge Level 42 fan and seen them a ton of times but this song is not one of their finest hours.

[@mitchcoop1]

drummer... great feel/groove, before husband always good players

[@Crichton51]

damn they were bloody good

[@leftyrighty5045]

One of THE most difficult pop songs to play. LEVEL 42 and RUSH forever ...

[@Rashy225]

1:14 ugh that part is so satisfying to me! Can’t get better than L42.

[@angelaandersons7918]

Someone explain why kansas city milkman x especially luurve the keyboard work of Mike Lindup/vocals complimenting Mark King's bass playing/vocals- the funky groove, lyrics x and all the people having the time of their lives dancing x quite jealous x god bless, Level 42 for their sensational hits and musicianship x

[@robbiesampson5399]

The first time I heard this amazing band live was indeed on this recording of the Tube on the eve of the release of the album featuring Something about you . Mark King My all time bass god

[@CANALROBBY]

Merci pour cette vidéo ❤ 1983 -1984 les meilleurs années de Level 42 👍

[@66meikou]

Level 42 was a perfect combination that would obliterate at some point. The Gould brothers are my heros. Phil in particular as I'm a drummer.. The writing was on the wall as far as Level 42 was concerned because Mark wanted to move it on. They're music progressed into pop and that with the burnout from touring , threw a spanner in the works.

[@sebastianorlando7275]

entre Toto y Level 42 han tenido a los mejores bateristas del mundo como integrantes....

[@livemusicalgarve]

My musical heroes right here, lovel 42..........Yes Lovel 42.

[@MST785]

I'm 51 turned 14 again. Thank you.

[@GetzGoth]

I'm 51 turned 50 again. Hell, it was only 9 months ago when I first heard this song. I've been listening to them since World Machine was released but just recently discovered this track. Cheers!

[@wichitafalls5109]

Je vous connais et vous aime depuis mes 20 ans et c'est toujours les mêmes frissons quand je vous écoute, vous étiez géniaux et vous l'êtes toujours, big kiss de France

[@auroremartin4774]

Pareil ici ! Quelle magie se déguage de ces mecs; trop heureuse qu'ils soient toujours actifs

[@Pierremontquaker03]

This is one cool tune

[@ajs41]

This sounds more like their early 80s output from 1981/82, which is a good thing.

[@davecoalwood9487]

One of their Best. That puts it right up there. Cracking version too for just being on the telly.

[@trueknowledgeispower]

I need the entire performance for this show. This is why Mark needs to break out the Jaydee again.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

He's playing it on the current tour. Although, I'm Team Status Graphite Bass all day, every day 😎😁

[@steve-on7kl]

Love this track! Wish there were groups like this round today.

[@miguelangelferrenavarro6188]

Los más grandes!!!!!!❤

[@jhubes73]

Footage from this era is gold. Hadnt seen this one! 42 forever

[@user-yx9xk6gx3x]

Love mark king ❤❤❤

[@iloveesr]

One of my all-time favourite L42 tracks. Love it.

[@bradwillard3152]

You guys post them ...and I will watch them ! This is going to work out just fine.

[@mexton]

My favorite Pop Band!I Love Level 42❤❤❤❤❤

[@MrRedrocket42]

This footage is a gift from God. Vintage Level video from this era is incredibly rare. Thanks for the amazing post.

[@milanmernjik4834]

uvek interesantni,bas,klavijature,udaraljke,gitara,tekstovi...jedinstveni i neponovljivi L 42

[@balancasuldobrasil9414]

A banda é incrível aí magina o cara💕 é de mais no sax tenor aí alto tenor mds igual pressão arterial kkkk

[@user-xz1yf3ip7d]

After so many comments on level 42 got one word effortless

[@batandball617]

The Big JD sounds other worldly.......

[@gordonmabon2950]

Love is a small word but it can be a Big one & for this the love is Big.

[@justMe-rd4sw]

Remember watching this 💓💓 What a band

[@Evetsocratesofficial]

Such a shame Mr. Holdsworth never officially joined the band!

[@MiniWarzone]

Mark King is a top bloke 👍

[@TECKMASSE]

oh la la GREAT PERFORMANCE my friends il love you

[@bernlin2000]

Level 42: Always and Forever

[@balancasuldobrasil9414]

Que formação...mds

[@funky_monk_9796]

This has made my day, week, month... thanks so much for uploading these old videos. I had no idea L42 had been on The Tube! This is a brilliant track from the band's absolutely prime era. Vintage stuff. Modern music's unsung heroes of musicianship. One day all these young 'uns on social media will wake up and realise what went down in early-mid 1980s England on the funk scene, and say "Aahhh, so that's who sowed the seeds for Vulfpeck and Snarky Puppy etc!". Great, great band.

[@petermundorfer2639]

Real music 🎶 real band

[@arnauddairaine2220]

Great live performance as always,cheers from France.

[@murielmottet]

Thank you Level. 42 😊 💖 🔊

[@ZenturaAudio]

omg!! interplay, writing, changes!!! so ahead of it!!! wow !

[@matthewaitken9937]

Superb!

[@brunocosta6612]

Que groove ótimo!! 👏👏👏

[@micha93punk]

o melhor groove!

[@jasonm4982]

I love this track, pretty sure I saw you around the year this was out, always a great live band, thank you

[@balancasuldobrasil9414]

Esse pianista vocal e esse aí MDS claro banda inteira sem oque falar

[@khaz606]

Woohoo!! Here's hoping for some more HQ tv appearances on this channel. At least the 1985 The Tube appearances :).

[@marcosflaviocouto1531]

Sensacional!

[@LordEradicus]

I've always loved this song and wondered about its inspiration. Kansas City isn't exactly a leisurely drive from the UK...

[@andywagstaff8980]

LordEradicus I’m not sure if it is connected but at some point MK did a spell as a milkman

[@LordEradicus]

Good call there.

[@Funkstar124]

Andy Wagstaff Yes, spot on Andy. He used to wear Cowboy boots when doing the rounds apparently and Mark was quite the fighter in the boxing ring as a kid - hence the," Down by the playground, where I learned to fight" lyric. You should read the band biographical book. Quite interesting.

[@andywagstaff8980]

Funkstar124 I thought so, cheers Funkstar, I didn’t know about the cowboy boots or the boxing though! Back in the day I thought I knew everything about them!

[@Funkstar124]

Andy Wagstaff no problem. It's because of these guys that I play bass and keyboards...shame Boon has left us though. Oh, by the way, if you didn't already know, Marks scar on his cheek was from when his Dad's Alsation from work (he was a prison officer) attacked him and tore a chunk out of his face when a kid (the dog had a brain tumour and wasn't acting itself). When at the hospital getting stitched up, The Doctor said that in the olden days in Germany, a facial scar was considered to be very manly. That's why Mark never had it corrected.

[@thesuncollective1475]

Bold choice..classic 42

[@wellylhakim3619]

This is awesome 👍

[@micha93punk]

Otimas musicas, e harmonia, grooves e musicas de trilha sonora, verdadeiro Funk!!

[@davidjewood]

*sings I read the papers Every word My only access To the outside world Yeah ... survival That's my game Just a common man In that there is no shame ... is there? ...

[@iloveesr]

I think more credit needs to be given to Krys as well. He was a great sax player.

[@brucebernardini4107]

Great tune!!

[@GPSjammer]

Flawless

[@pabloirakve18]

Big basso guitar Mark King,congratulation

[@fragwagon]

Prime.