John Lever, The Chameleons Drummer, Has Passed Away

John Lever, the powerful rhythmic force behind cult band The Chameleons, has died after a short period of illness.

Group co-founder Mark Burgess posted the sad news on Facebook yesterday.

Lever played on the band’s first three albums – Script Of The Bridge (1983), What Does Anything Mean? Basically (1985), and Strange Times (1986) – helping to forge a committed fanbase for the Mancunian post-punk act.

Tributes to Lever have poured in from the musical world, including the following from Clint Boon, which showcases the band’s unique, miasmic sound – as well as Lever’s rock-solid contribution – on 1986’s “Swamp Thing”:

One of the defining records of my 16 years at @South_Club. Swamp Thing by The Chameleons. Goodnight John Lever xxx https://t.co/HBuFUNvUbh

— Clint Boon (@therealboon) March 13, 2017