John Lever RIP

[c]

Saw the sad news today that John Lever the drummer with the Chameleons has died.

Like NMA the Chameleons were a band that never had the commercial success that many thought they should have had.

If you don't know their music I can recommend them

[Master Ray]

The Chameleons are one of those bands that I liked what little bits I heard, but never got into.  Recommend me an album to get started!

[Johnz]

Very sad news. The Chameleons have always had a special place in my heart.

MR, the original line-up did three proper albums in the 80's which are all great. They got back together in the early 00's and did a fairly average album before splitting up again shortlty after that. Their 1983 debut album 'Script of the Bridge' is generally regarded as their masterpiece but "Strange Times" was their most succesful album (and probably sounds a little less dated than Script. There is also a good compilation called "Return of the Roughnecks" which has many of their best songs on it.

Here are some of their classics:
Perfume Garden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KueYEPOBzfU
Second Skin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldLk0rQORHY
Monkeyland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcEK6uTAezs
Tears https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-KA7rZW6tw

[Master Ray]

Ah, I remember now when I was on about The Chameleons before on this Forum.  At London Astoria (I think), a good ten years or so ago, NMA were supported by a band called Bird.  I loved one song in particular, which I later found out was 'Second Skin'.  Apparently, this was The Chameleons singer in his new band.  They didn't do much after that, shame.

Cheers, Johnz, I will investigate.

[lostockboy]

Another sad death and again someone who has gone way to soon at only 56.  As a big fan of The Chameleons I saw John behind a kit a fair few times for The Chameleons, The Sun And The Moon and Chameleons Vox over the years and loved Johns unique way of playing the drums.  He was a left handed drummer but played with his hi-hat to the left of his snare drum and not to the right which is the conventional way to play if you are left handed.  It wasn't a gimmick as he stuck with playing that way throughout his playing days.  RIP John, time to leave Monkeyland. 

[Darkness]

Saw The Chameleons back in the 80's, good band. Another sad loss.

[c]

Ah, I remember now when I was on about The Chameleons before on this Forum.  At London Astoria (I think), a good ten years or so ago, NMA were supported by a band called Bird.  I loved one song in particular, which I later found out was 'Second Skin'.  Apparently, this was The Chameleons singer in his new band.  They didn't do much after that, shame.

Cheers, Johnz, I will investigate.

yes, the Astoria.

Second Skin is on Script of the Bridge.

[Elsie]

The Chameleons are one of those bands that I liked what little bits I heard, but never got into.  Recommend me an album to get started!

Listen to strange times. Especially swamp thing. Still sends shivers up the spine

[Johnz]

Mark is touring the UK next week as ChameleonsVox playing mostly tunes from the first three albums.

Tour dates are here:

http://www.songkick.com/artists/2602016-chameleons-vox

Wish I could go