Tony Levin: podcast appearances and interviews

Anthony Frederick Levin, born on June 6, 1946, is an American musician and composer who specializes in electric bass guitars, Chapman Stick, and upright bass. He also sings and plays synthesizer. Levin is notably recognized for his long-term collaborations with King Crimson, having contributed to multiple periods of the band's activity since 1981, and with Peter Gabriel since 1977. Additionally, he has been a member of bands such as Liquid Tension Experiment, Bruford Levin Upper Extremities, and HoBoLeMa. Since 2010, Levin has led his own band, Stick Men. As a prolific session musician from the 1970s, he has appeared on over 500 albums working with artists including John Lennon, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Tom Waits, and many others. Levin has also toured with a variety of artists, including Paul Simon, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Peter Frampton. Throughout his career, Levin has been credited with helping to popularize the Chapman Stick and the NS electric upright bass. He innovated the creation of 'funk fingers,' modified drumsticks that produce a distinctive slap sound used in funk bass. In recognition of his skill and influence, Levin was ranked as the second most underrated bass guitarist by Paste magazine in 2011 and was listed as the 42nd greatest bassist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in July 2020.