About Me
Les King was born Leslie Caron King on the southside of Chicago, where his love and thirst for music were realized along side of his drumming brother Derek, at the age of eleven. The acoustic guitar was the first instrument of choice then the electric guitar, but after two years of frustrating music lessons he knew there had to be something more to his satisfaction and intrigue with music.At the ripe old age of thirteen this satisfaction was discovered in the form of the bass guitar, while jamming with best friend James Henderson on guitar. Through the combination of progress and the feeling of something just being right, Les knew that he had found his soul mate. While primarily being self taught by Mel Bay bass books and the Master Theory Series of music books to learn how to read music, Les noticed the light of progress really turning on after being introduced to the concept of playing by ear from high school mate and friend Curtis Mayfield III. Les attended St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic grade school, then an all boys Catholic high school by the name of Mendel Catholic Prep where he also took on the challenge of playing the tuba to be in the marching band, and to help fulfill requirements of a scholarship he'd received at the hands of music educator David Eanes, which cut his tuition by half, this made his proud parents Bill and Florine very happy! Les went on to attend Western Illinois University where he majored in music education. After a couple of years and growing increasingly restless because of an exciting Chicago music scene, Les found himself in a tuxedo playing his first professional big band gig at age nineteen. Once establishing himself in the local Chicago music scene, Les toured with Maynard Ferguson, two years later friend and noted drummer Gary Novak convinced him to take up residency in Los Angeles. Since that time Les King has gone on to supply bass for such artists as Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., The Original Fifth Dimension, Thelma Houston, Gloria Gaynor, The Ink Spots, Luther Vandross, Jody Watley, James Cleveland, Cherell, CeCe Peniston, Robben Ford, Tom Scott, Bony James, Steve Cole, Billy Childs, Everett Harp, Men In Black II Motion Picture Soundtrack, Billy Preston, musical directed for Sophie B. Hawkins, Phil Perry and Roseanne Barr's 2001 Television Show "Roseanne". The Groove Junkies, Frankie Knuckles, James Gadson, Wah Wah Watson, Shanice, Mike White, Immature, Tone Loc, Death Row Records, The Pussy Cat Dolls, and Prophecy an original project featuring Paul Calderon, Billy Childs, and Gary Novak. Since completing nearly ten years of world touring with Tom Jones, Les resides in Los Angeles, Ca. where he is an active live and session musician while developing as a writer, composer, and producer who's truly pursuing and living his little bass player dreams! Peace & Love…Leslie
