by Jason AnkenyThe longtime frontman for the British funk-pop group Level 42, Mark King was born in Cowes, England, on October 20, 1958. A onetime drummer, upon co-founding Level 42 in 1980 he moved to the bass, honing a distinctive thumb-slapping technique which became an integral element of the group's sound. From their self-titled 1981 debut onward the quartet enjoyed considerable success at home, and in 1984 King took time out to record his debut solo album, Influences. After Level 42's international popularity peaked in 1986 with the hit "Something About You," the band released a series of subsequent LPs before disbanding in late 1994, leaving King to resume his solo activities. The album One Man followed four years later.