I'm the one in the band who went to meet John when we were auditioning for a permanent drummer. We spent about 20 minutes staring at each other in Middleton town centre and eventually I went over and said are you John. The rest is history. I knew he was the one for us and how right I was. The Chameleons had Chemistry that you don't often find. Yeah, there were times when we didn't always agree but we created some of the best music to come out of Manchester England. I respect everything we did and still do. Mark, Dave Reg and John. We had something very special. He gave his all and he was always a great laugh on tour. A pleasure to know such a great guy. Miss you brother John. Truly. Your friend. Dave Fielding. Xx
No problem. I'm a very private person and don't say too much. No email. No Farsebook whatever but I had to comment on this guys respect for John. He is a Manchster Great. Xx
I am genuinely embarrased that I at the age of 60 have just discovered this band? can you believe that. Good thing is I have new 80s music to listen to. Yes I will enjoy.
Thank you, Dereck. Lovely tribute to John. He was my partner and best friend from 2006-2008. We stayed close since. He was an amazing drummer and his personality was infectious. He was loved by everyone. We have lost a wonderful man and brilliant musician. xxx
Our condolences. I am 51 now. I have the lyrics of the chameleons on my wall at school in salford.as a reminder of how good( or bad !)things were.I will play perfume garden tomorrow in form time and explain the lyrics and what they mean to me...for the good times..
CaronParisArt Just learned of his passing. I hope these four guys realized how brilliant they were. They still have a severely loyal, (and growing) following around the world. I don't know if John remained in the music business. I hope he did and that he stayed the humorous, easy going guy you describe. I'm truly sorry for your loss. And I wish you well.
Dereck, don’t know how I stumbled upon this, but I’m glad I did. Have never meet anyone who has as much Chameleons/Sun and Moon Vinyl As me :) The Chameleons to this day remain one of my top 2 bands of all time. Ever since I heard Up The Down Escalator back in 1984, I’ve been attached to the music in so many ways. They were the “secret” band in high school that only a few of us had heard about. Sure there was Echo, U2, Rem, The Smith’s etc, But The Chameleons belonged in a category all their own. I was fortunate to have seen and meet them in 1987 at their show at The Ritz in NYC. And was front and center when they kicked off their reunited 2 nite stand at the Echo Lounge in Atlanta in 2002. Perhaps the most memorable experience was seeing Mark solo on back to back Nites in Atlanta in Summer of 2003. At the Dark Horse show I requested/shouted out “Endlessy Falling”. Mark looked at me straight in the eye, and said, “If you come to tomorrow’s show at Eddie’s Attic, I’ll play it for you! Never in a 1000 years did I ever think I would hear that song live, but true to his word the following nite he played it! Mark and I shared a few emails back and forth following that show, and I have them saved on some hard drive somewhere. Now granted, this isn’t solely about Mark, but rather The Chameleons and what they accomplished musically. There will never be another band or drummer like John ever again. My hope is that when the history books get re-written about the “Manchester Scene” and the ink has run dry on the pens of critics and reviewers, as they bestow accolade after accolade on The Smiths, Happy Monday’s, Oasis , etc. That someone picks up a new ballpoint and enters the name of The Chameleons into their rightful place in the history of that city’s music scene! Thanks for sharing your video! We’ll connect soon.
just had to check to see if they were featured on the Cherry Red boxset Manchester North Of England: A Story Of Independent Music Greater Manchester 1977-1993 and indeed they are. i'm still on the fence with regards to Dreams To Fill The Vacuum - The Sound Of Sheffield 1978-1988 cos' The Comsat Angels were omitted!
Thank you sir for your consistent support and heartfelt enthusiasm for this band. I cant think of another group that possessed such an ability to instantly express a musical and artistic affinity that makes lifelong friends out of perfect strangers. You don't listen to the chameleons as much as you feel them. I think to a great extent most people who like the chameleons "Discovered " them in a personal way and treasured their music to the extent that each time they introduced someone to the band, it was done so with reverence. For each person who finds their music receives a lifetime supply of sonic extravagance you'll not find anywhere else. John's persistent and sympathetic drumming held those songs together perfectly. Truly a proud legacy to leave behind him, we should all be so fortunate. God bless.
Beautifully expressed Dereck, John Lever and the Chameleons made some of the best music to ever come out of the UK. Swamp Thing is just magnificent and largely down to that ridiculously hooky drum riff. Amazing drummer, superb band and great to see that this band are loved by so many
Another great talent lost to the world. I agree with you that the Chameleons created some of the most wonderful music of all time. I've been a fan since I first heard "Thursday's Child" in the mid 80s, and I loved the Sun & the Moon as well. Thanks, Dereck.
Beautiful video. Maybe this comment is 3 years too late, but I’m 21 and discovered The Chamelons back in 2016, but didn’t dive into them until last year when I listen to the full Script of the Bridge album and understood why the band captivated so much the few people that knows the band. The drumming is fabulous, and I totally agree of it being a defining piece of the sound of that magical band. At my age, I can only thank the generations of the 80s that left us so many amazing music. Thanks, John!
I love your love of this band. You are spot on when you say that ‘the way John rides the beat’ is integral to The Chameleons. Totally correct. So well put.
'Didn't know about his passing: thanx for your tribute to him; they never got the recognition they deserved: brilliant band: happy New Year to you; from marko UK!'
John was an impresionant drummer.i have been at various shows with him.birdy and john.always together like Dave and reg.silence, the sea and Sky.... David
What a tragic lose thanks dudes loved then love ya now!!!!! Rip John Lever will always remember the songs played at that 80’s club!!!!!! Great upload thanks bro!🙏❤️👍
Thanks for sharing! I too did the same thing the CD's came out. The Chameleons were my favorite band at the time. Back then, good music was hard to come by, especially bands like the Chameleons. They had absolutely zero radio play, and MTV never played them that I know of. Man times, I bought an album based on the cover art and the looks of the band. That is how I came across the Chameleons. The beats by John L. probably is what attracted me to their sound the most! I could totally relate to Chameleons like we knew each other!
EVERY SINGLE EP AND LP THEY DID STANDS BRILLIANT TODAY.SOME BETTER THAN OTHERS. SCRIPT OF THE BRIDGE WILL STAND AS ONE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME. IT IS 'POETS CORNER' MATERIAL.
Thank you for posting this. The chameleons were a HUGE influence on me as a musician. Just as big as Led Zeppelin, believe it or not. I am sure you can relate, you even touched on this in the video. His passion has been transferred to us all now, and his essence will come through in a recording session in the future. Rip John .
im the nephew of andy clegg, my dad was the first to know john lever, he was a mailman and he used to hand my dad the mail when he was a toddler. such a shame that i never got to meet him, what a talent.
I've only just heard of John's passing.. It's cut real deep. I've been a fan of the band since almost day one and still regularly play their musical poetry. John was truly a brilliant drummer and a member of my favourite band. May your God bless and cherish you. Thank you Dereck for your touching words.
Thank you, Dereck. This is really heartbreaking. I've listened to the Chameleons for years, often through some pretty dark times I've been going through. I never really cared for the whole shoegaze label (although I loved the bands), and honestly think that Chameleons are much closer to The Sound (Adrian Borland), and early Comsat Angels or even early New Order more than anything else. As much as I love Script of the Bridge, it's John's drumming on Swamp Thing that gives me goosebumps. The last time I was this sad when we lost Grant McLennan from Go-Betweens.
I appreciate your time in acknowledgement of The Chameleons being a great band. Thank you. I'm 50 years old, and I am just now getting to know their great music. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this band, and your experience with them. For sure, they are greatly under appreciated, as are many artists, unfortunately, are under rated. Thanks, again.
My favourite memory of John was when my friends band were rehearsing in the Underground pub in Ashton U Lyne. He took over drums and they played an Oasis song. Ive never seen the other guys play so hard and boy did he make them work. Such a lovely guy and friend. He played with other bands too. Wilson being one and I was lucky to be able to see him play live many times, drink and laugh also socialise with him.
dereckvon, just discovered you, through the tribute to John. I myself was turned on to the chameleons back in the late 80's when I was d.jing on a community radio station here in Tampa, FLA.it was there that I met Mark and saw them . I to thought that they were one of the best bands among us. Thanks for the tribute , it was surprising to me that someone else of ethnic origin feels the same about this band. I also feel the same way about the Amaculate Fools....
Thank you so much!! I Love them They are so wonderful!! You are so very kind!! God Bless you !!He will be missed! You are a very good and kind friend!! The Chameleons are Masters!!They are truly Wonderful!!God Bless You!! Much Love!!
You are so kind!!The Chameleons are wonderful! He was so talented so amazing!!Your words were so touching!!Thank you so much!! God Bless!! Much Love!!!
I can feel your sadness, Dereck, and I know you were a monster fan of the band and are a good friend of Mark's. Needless to say I feel the sorrow for John's passing as well. The Chameleons are up there with the greatest bands ever to grace a stage. Melodically, lyrically, instumentally unsurpassed on either side of the Atlantic. I have a couple of the bands early dvd performances which I watch regularly. In both venues combined they seem to be playing to no more than a hundred people, and the response to the enormity of what they're giving the people is "underwhelming" in the extreme. Listening to the brilliant Pleasure and Pain falling on largely deaf and drunk ears is one of the saddest moments for me in my long rock and roll history. I've heard you play. You play with great passion. I know what this band means to you. Take care my brother.
Love this tribute, an absolute underated band that deserved more. Loved them and their sound from the getgo. Always brings back great memories when we were all invincible...now not so much. Thanks.
Heard a lot of music, and the Chameleons have a very strong, unique sound. It isn't alienating also for me. They should get more recognition. RIP John.
Just hearing about this now, how heartbreaking!! He was an unconventional drummer, his kit set up was very unique and it worked so well with his playing, he flowed on it and it was weird to watch it. I've only seen videos though. Thanx so much!!!
This one really hits close to home for me. I knew the day would come when death would begin to touch artists that I not only liked, but really held meaning to me. So it continues with John Lever R.I.P....
How true were the lyrics of Perfume Garden.All the B.S we were given at school in the early 80s but my god did we have a laugh. I still talk about how mischievous I was to the kids I teach.Will this generation be able to reminisce. ..I don't think so.
"Someone else got the acclaim the Chameleons deserved." Exactly this. _Every_ person I've ever turned on to the band exclaims "Who is this?!" I've never encountered a band that so easily makes fans on the first go. Yet, for some reason they just never took with commercial radio nor did they have a film tie in with a hit OST song, such as the Psychedelic Furs did. The other avenue to wider exposure was MTV, which in the early 80s featured a lot of obscure UK bands because music videos were initially more a European phenomenon. I don't recall the Chameleons releasing videos. Anyway, great tribute to John.
Sorry for Mr Lever's passing and for how especially sad you feel having known him personally. I have not listened to The Chameleons for years, but I know I liked their classic albums a lot. Time to remember them in the next few days. Another relatively little known band with a similar style comes to my mind when remembering The Chameleons: The Sound. I always "hated" disco music (well, I literally hated it during my teens and early youth). However I never could resist the charm -or should I say spell ? - of some Sister Sledge's songs. Surely there was something really good about those girls. I don't know if it was the vocal harmonies, the melodies, the bass lines, their exact tempo when singing, their seeming naturalness and joy ... I can perfectly understand the "magical effect" you talk about.
The first ever professional recording of John Lever as a drummer with The Politicians. They were a fourpiece band who won The Tameside Battle of the Bands with recording time at Strawberry Studios as part of the prize. The band's one and only single Moving Up was released independently by the band and received airplay on various Manchester Radio Stations. It was only after the demise of the band that John Lever bacame the drummer of the Chameleons without any other members of the Politicians being involved with the Chameleons.
What a lovely tribute!...It was complete luck on my part that I even heard the music of The Chameleons...In the early nineties I went to see an excellent singer-songwriter-guitarist named Miche Fambro in upstate NY...I loved his performance so much, I bought the cassette he was selling...This was one of those 'blank' cassettes...One side was Miche and the other side had music on it that was clearly someone else...I immediately loved it but it wasn't labeled so I had no clue who it was!!!...It wasn't 'til years later that I discovered it was the album What Does Anything Mean? Basically by The Chameleons...What a gift that album is and what a gift John's drumming was and continues to be! RIP John Lever
I know this is an older video, but I never associated shoegaze with the Chameleons. But after you mentioned it it’s a really accurate statement. Now it makes sense how atmospheric their music is. Also glad to hear how original Chameleons fans feel about the band!!
damn dude every time I break wind it seems that another really great musician that had an influence on me kicks the bucket. it's getting downright depressing. thanks for the info and the heads up on the fine music. you have impeccable taste. just knowing that these musicians touched the lives of others is at least some consolation. be well my friend. Z
Totally agree Dereck. The Chameleons are one of my fave bands of all time. I got to see them once at that Camden Palace gig that was filmed and is on CZcams and led me here actually. Agree about John but their whole sound was magical. Second Skin is probably my favourite track but I pretty much love them all. Souls in Isolation from the Strange Times album is probably a good example of that massive John Lever sound who kinda also reminds me sometimes of Clem Burke or Rob Hirst. Anyway, love your channel. Take care, Si
THANK YOU for expressing what many fans wish they could express , or wish someone of your dedication and fidelity to music would say in these 'strange times' of loss and remembrance.
thankyou for posting the terrible news. I grew up in Monmouth County NJ by Asbury Park. Im the girl in this picture, Not the Guy John. Born in 1971. Love this band. I listen to them at least once a week while driving in my car. I am so impressed by you. You do know your stuff.
Thanks Dereck for Your very fine tribute. I totally agree With Your comments concerning John Lever and the band Chameleons. One of my absolute favourite bands of all time, totally underrated I am sad to say. And yes, Johns drumming was very significant for their sound.
this is such a good music journalist dereck higgins who is delivering john lever's elegy... its a pity theres nought like this on australian tv... greetings from tasmania in the southern ocean breezes
you turned me on to more music Thanks but every time I go on that type of search it always ends with me listening to David Sylvian, I did enjoy the Chameleons, though.
I think I found your channel the year before last and really very much appreciated what you post on here. So this time I'm subbing. Thanks a lot! The Chameleons were one of those bands I liked and knew about in the mid 80's when 'Strange Times' came out (when I was in high school) but never *really* got into them until about 2006. Bought a couple of their records and delved into them wholeheartedly. Great band. R.I.P John Lever.
I'm the one in the band who went to meet John when we were auditioning for a permanent drummer. We spent about 20 minutes staring at each other in Middleton town centre and eventually I went over and said are you John. The rest is history. I knew he was the one for us and how right I was. The Chameleons had Chemistry that you don't often find. Yeah, there were times when we didn't always agree but we created some of the best music to come out of Manchester England. I respect everything we did and still do. Mark, Dave Reg and John. We had something very special. He gave his all and he was always a great laugh on tour. A pleasure to know such a great guy. Miss you brother John. Truly. Your friend. Dave Fielding. Xx
Hello David! Fantastic hearing from you!
No problem. I'm a very private person and don't say too much. No email. No Farsebook whatever but I had to comment on this guys respect for John. He is a Manchster Great. Xx
I meant Manchester. X
I am genuinely embarrased that I at the age of 60 have just discovered this band? can you believe that. Good thing is I have new 80s music to listen to. Yes I will enjoy.
still listening to the fantastic sound of the Chameleons ... and my feelings are the same as in 1983 ...
Thank you, Dereck. Lovely tribute to John. He was my partner and best friend from 2006-2008. We stayed close since. He was an amazing drummer and his personality was infectious. He was loved by everyone. We have lost a wonderful man and brilliant musician. xxx
So sorry. Thanks for posting.
Our condolences. I am 51 now. I have the lyrics of the chameleons on my wall at school in salford.as a reminder of how good( or bad !)things were.I will play perfume garden tomorrow in form time and explain the lyrics and what they mean to me...for the good times..
CaronParisArt Just learned of his passing. I hope these four guys realized how brilliant they were. They still have a severely loyal, (and growing) following around the world. I don't know if John remained in the music business. I hope he did and that he stayed the humorous, easy going guy you describe. I'm truly sorry for your loss. And I wish you well.
A beautiful reflection of a musician so loved, eloquently shared. Thank you.
@@rogermurray8553 💜
Yeah. Thanks Dereck for your lovely words about the great John Lever. Dave Fielding. Xx
Dereck, don’t know how I stumbled upon this, but I’m glad I did. Have never meet anyone who has as much Chameleons/Sun and Moon Vinyl As me :) The Chameleons to this day remain one of my top 2 bands of all time. Ever since I heard Up The Down Escalator back in 1984, I’ve been attached to the music in so many ways. They were the “secret” band in high school that only a few of us had heard about. Sure there was Echo, U2, Rem, The Smith’s etc, But The Chameleons belonged in a category all their own. I was fortunate to have seen and meet them in 1987 at their show at The Ritz in NYC. And was front and center when they kicked off their reunited 2 nite stand at the Echo Lounge in Atlanta in 2002. Perhaps the most memorable experience was seeing Mark solo on back to back Nites in Atlanta in Summer of 2003. At the Dark Horse show I requested/shouted out “Endlessy Falling”. Mark looked at me straight in the eye, and said, “If you come to tomorrow’s show at Eddie’s Attic, I’ll play it for you! Never in a 1000 years did I ever think I would hear that song live, but true to his word the following nite he played it! Mark and I shared a few emails back and forth following that show, and I have them saved on some hard drive somewhere. Now granted, this isn’t solely about Mark, but rather The Chameleons and what they accomplished musically. There will never be another band or drummer like John ever again. My hope is that when the history books get re-written about the “Manchester Scene” and the ink has run dry on the pens of critics and reviewers, as they bestow accolade after accolade on The Smiths, Happy Monday’s, Oasis , etc. That someone picks up a new ballpoint and enters the name of The Chameleons into their rightful place in the history of that city’s music scene! Thanks for sharing your video! We’ll connect soon.
just had to check to see if they were featured on the Cherry Red boxset Manchester North Of England: A Story Of Independent Music Greater Manchester 1977-1993 and indeed they are. i'm still on the fence with regards to Dreams To Fill The Vacuum - The Sound Of Sheffield 1978-1988 cos' The Comsat Angels were omitted!
I have Script of the bridge signed by Mark and Reg
Thank you sir for your consistent support and heartfelt enthusiasm for this band. I cant think of another group that possessed such an ability to instantly express a musical and artistic affinity that makes lifelong friends out of perfect strangers. You don't listen to the chameleons as much as you feel them. I think to a great extent most people who like the chameleons "Discovered " them in a personal way and treasured their music to the extent that each time they introduced someone to the band, it was done so with reverence. For each person who finds their music receives a lifetime supply of sonic extravagance you'll not find anywhere else. John's persistent and sympathetic drumming held those songs together perfectly. Truly a proud legacy to leave behind him, we should all be so fortunate. God bless.
Beautifully expressed Dereck, John Lever and the Chameleons made some of the best music to ever come out of the UK. Swamp Thing is just magnificent and largely down to that ridiculously hooky drum riff. Amazing drummer, superb band and great to see that this band are loved by so many
Thank you. I'm a drummer and I absolutely love the chameleons. Most under rated band of their time.
The Sound too.
John lever was a lovely man he helped my struggling band out when we were trying to get going, rip John x
What a fantastic tribute. He was a superb drummer, Their music still sounds incredible today.
Thank you Derek. Grew up with the band saw them so many times. Ridiculously underrated band and an amazing drummer!! Soul in Isolation.
John was an amazing drummer. The Chameleons will always be one of my favourite bands.
From Valencia (Spain).R.I.P.John Lever....The CHAMELEONS forever
John Lever was a friend of mine even before I knew he was a musician and as you say his drums were fantastic, he was a person a beautiful person x
great drummer too.
Another great talent lost to the world. I agree with you that the Chameleons created some of the most wonderful music of all time. I've been a fan since I first heard "Thursday's Child" in the mid 80s, and I loved the Sun & the Moon as well. Thanks, Dereck.
take me back 😢
Favourite band seen them a few times and met them all too. RIP John.
Beautiful video. Maybe this comment is 3 years too late, but I’m 21 and discovered The Chamelons back in 2016, but didn’t dive into them until last year when I listen to the full Script of the Bridge album and understood why the band captivated so much the few people that knows the band. The drumming is fabulous, and I totally agree of it being a defining piece of the sound of that magical band. At my age, I can only thank the generations of the 80s that left us so many amazing music. Thanks, John!
Derek
Your Analysis is Spot
On.
PLEASE CONTINUE
AND DO
MORE MATERIAL.
PLEASE, MATE.
I love your love of this band. You are spot on when you say that ‘the way John rides the beat’ is integral to The Chameleons. Totally correct. So well put.
'Didn't know about his passing: thanx for your tribute to him; they never got the recognition they deserved: brilliant band: happy New Year to you; from marko UK!'
Great loss.... one of my all time favorite bands
John was an impresionant drummer.i have been at various shows with him.birdy and john.always together like Dave and reg.silence, the sea and Sky.... David
What a tragic lose thanks dudes loved then love ya now!!!!! Rip John Lever will always remember the songs played at that 80’s club!!!!!! Great upload thanks bro!🙏❤️👍
Thanks for sharing! I too did the same thing the CD's came out. The Chameleons were my favorite band at the time. Back then, good music was hard to come by, especially bands like the Chameleons. They had absolutely zero radio play, and MTV never played them that I know of. Man times, I bought an album based on the cover art and the looks of the band. That is how I came across the Chameleons. The beats by John L. probably is what attracted me to their sound the most! I could totally relate to Chameleons like we knew each other!
The Chameleons... exceptional brilliance.. Mark Burgess autographed my vinyl of the fan and the bellows. R.I.P. John Lever.
EVERY SINGLE EP AND LP
THEY DID STANDS BRILLIANT
TODAY.SOME BETTER THAN OTHERS.
SCRIPT OF THE BRIDGE
WILL
STAND AS ONE OF THE
GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME.
IT IS 'POETS CORNER' MATERIAL.
Thank you Derek!! You are so kind!! Much love to you and the chameleons!! RIP John Lever!!
Thank you for posting this. The chameleons were a HUGE influence on me as a musician. Just as big as Led Zeppelin, believe it or not. I am sure you can relate, you even touched on this in the video. His passion has been transferred to us all now, and his essence will come through in a recording session in the future. Rip John .
One of the all-time greatest bands. Great drummer too. RIP.
the Chameleons music is very very special!
Top tribute from an American guy I don't even know... beautiful
One of the best Indie bands ever.
im the nephew of andy clegg, my dad was the first to know john lever, he was a mailman and he used to hand my dad the mail when he was a toddler. such a shame that i never got to meet him, what a talent.
Very touching tribute to John lever! Very sad to hear of his passing.. Thank you for this
I've only just heard of John's passing.. It's cut real deep. I've been a fan of the band since almost day one and still regularly play their musical poetry. John was truly a brilliant drummer and a member of my favourite band. May your God bless and cherish you. Thank you Dereck for your touching words.
Rest In Peace John Lever
Thank you, Dereck. This is really heartbreaking. I've listened to the Chameleons for years, often through some pretty dark times I've been going through. I never really cared for the whole shoegaze label (although I loved the bands), and honestly think that Chameleons are much closer to The Sound (Adrian Borland), and early Comsat Angels or even early New Order more than anything else. As much as I love Script of the Bridge, it's John's drumming on Swamp Thing that gives me goosebumps. The last time I was this sad when we lost Grant McLennan from Go-Betweens.
Music Guy
❤
I appreciate your time in acknowledgement of The Chameleons being a great band. Thank you. I'm 50 years old, and I am just now getting to know their great music. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this band, and your experience with them. For sure, they are greatly under appreciated, as are many artists, unfortunately, are under rated. Thanks, again.
You are a gentleman. Been a fan for thirty plus years. Vox is good. I was fortunate enough to see the boys altogether.nostalgia
Ohhhhh
Ohhhhhhhhhhohhhhhhhh
Nos-Stahl- Juh
Will Lead me Ahhhh-wayyyy....
My favourite memory of John was when my friends band were rehearsing in the Underground pub in Ashton U Lyne. He took over drums and they played an Oasis song. Ive never seen the other guys play so hard and boy did he make them work. Such a lovely guy and friend. He played with other bands too. Wilson being one and I was lucky to be able to see him play live many times, drink and laugh also socialise with him.
..and so...I remember you... i remember the days and the thousands of ways you pulled me through...RIP John, you are my youth.
So Wonderful!! Thank you!! I agree!! He was wonderful!!!!So loved!!! He was Wonderful!!He was so Amazing!!!Thank you John Lever!! thank you Mr. D:)
You are so sweet!! Thank you for what you do!!:)Much Love!!
dereckvon, just discovered you, through the tribute to John. I myself was turned on to the chameleons back in the late 80's when I was d.jing on a community radio station here in Tampa, FLA.it was there that I met Mark and saw them . I to thought that they were one of the best bands among us. Thanks for the tribute , it was surprising to me that someone else of ethnic origin feels the same about this band. I also feel the same way about the Amaculate Fools....
carlinda pierce
❤
Thank you so much!! I Love them They are so wonderful!! You are so very kind!! God Bless you !!He will be missed! You are a very good and kind friend!! The Chameleons are Masters!!They are truly Wonderful!!God Bless You!! Much Love!!
You are so kind!!The Chameleons are wonderful! He was so talented so amazing!!Your words were so touching!!Thank you so much!! God Bless!! Much Love!!!
Thank you for your kindness!!So sweet!!:)
I can feel your sadness, Dereck, and I know you were a monster fan of the band and are a good friend of Mark's. Needless to say I feel the sorrow for John's passing as well. The Chameleons are up there with the greatest bands ever to grace a stage. Melodically, lyrically, instumentally unsurpassed on either side of the Atlantic. I have a couple of the bands early dvd performances which I watch regularly.
In both venues combined they seem to be playing to no more than a hundred people, and the response to the enormity of what they're giving the people is "underwhelming" in the extreme. Listening to the brilliant Pleasure and Pain falling on largely deaf and drunk ears is one of the saddest moments for me in my long rock and roll history. I've heard you play. You play with great passion. I know what this band means to you. Take care my brother.
Love this tribute, an absolute underated band that deserved more. Loved them and their sound from the getgo. Always brings back great memories when we were all invincible...now not so much. Thanks.
Heard a lot of music, and the Chameleons have a very strong, unique sound. It isn't alienating also for me. They should get more recognition. RIP John.
Nice tribute Dereck. When someone's character and someone's work is so soulful and passion felt the harder the wrench when they pass on.
Strange Times and Sandinista (The Clash)… very important albums to me... )
Just hearing about this now, how heartbreaking!! He was an unconventional drummer, his kit set up was very unique and it worked so well with his playing, he flowed on it and it was weird to watch it. I've only seen videos though. Thanx so much!!!
Love You!! So Sweet!!!!
Good music. You are right. Unfortunately, not many got to know them but the people who did I am sure they loved them.
i"m deeply sorry to hear this.as you know the chameleons are very important to me.
thanks for the excellent tribute dereck.
r.i.p.john lever.
Nice tribute. . You're a real music fan. 😊 thanks for this
Just found this , well said Sir !
Never saw them live.. yet! Chameleons are just amazing.. must check out the sun and the moon..
This one really hits close to home for me. I knew the day would come when death would begin to touch artists that I not only liked, but really held meaning to me. So it continues with John Lever R.I.P....
Modsleix 6
👍👍
Indeed.
Integral part of my 80's childhood. "Tears"... RIP John.
How true were the lyrics of Perfume Garden.All the B.S we were given at school in the early 80s but my god did we have a laugh. I still talk about how mischievous I was to the kids I teach.Will this generation be able to reminisce. ..I don't think so.
"Someone else got the acclaim the Chameleons deserved."
Exactly this. _Every_ person I've ever turned on to the band exclaims "Who is this?!" I've never encountered a band that so easily makes fans on the first go. Yet, for some reason they just never took with commercial radio nor did they have a film tie in with a hit OST song, such as the Psychedelic Furs did. The other avenue to wider exposure was MTV, which in the early 80s featured a lot of obscure UK bands because music videos were initially more a European phenomenon. I don't recall the Chameleons releasing videos.
Anyway, great tribute to John.
Look at all your vinyl! Listening to you, I'm feeling everything you're saying, you're a true musician.
Thanks so much for this tribute .
Mark Burgess autograph now obtained.. amazing band, nice bloke too.
You've got a diverse and great taste in music.
My Favorite album
Sorry for Mr Lever's passing and for how especially sad you feel having known him personally.
I have not listened to The Chameleons for years, but I know I liked their classic albums a lot. Time to remember them in the next few days.
Another relatively little known band with a similar style comes to my mind when remembering The Chameleons: The Sound.
I always "hated" disco music (well, I literally hated it during my teens and early youth). However I never could resist the charm -or should I say spell ? - of some Sister Sledge's songs. Surely there was something really good about those girls. I don't know if it was the vocal harmonies, the melodies, the bass lines, their exact tempo when singing, their seeming naturalness and joy ... I can perfectly understand the "magical effect" you talk about.
my fav band when i was young, good to finally see others respect them now
The first ever professional recording of John Lever as a drummer
with The Politicians. They were a fourpiece band who won The Tameside
Battle of the Bands with recording time at Strawberry Studios as part of
the prize. The band's one and only single Moving Up was released
independently by the band and received
airplay on various Manchester Radio Stations. It was only after the
demise of the band that John Lever bacame the drummer of the Chameleons
without any other members of the Politicians being involved with the
Chameleons.
What an outstanding video.
Wake up Heaven , Someone's banging on your door !!
What a lovely tribute!...It was complete luck on my part that I even heard the music of The Chameleons...In the early nineties I went to see an excellent singer-songwriter-guitarist named Miche Fambro in upstate NY...I loved his performance so much, I bought the cassette he was selling...This was one of those 'blank' cassettes...One side was Miche and the other side had music on it that was clearly someone else...I immediately loved it but it wasn't labeled so I had no clue who it was!!!...It wasn't 'til years later that I discovered it was the album What Does Anything Mean? Basically by The Chameleons...What a gift that album is and what a gift John's drumming was and continues to be! RIP John Lever
My oh my,
John's Primal Beating
during
'in Shreds'...
"Good music is good music." Says it all.
Love The Chameleons. RIP. "Paradiso" from Strange Times is one of my favourite songs
Thank you Derek lovely tribute to a great guy
Great video. The Chameleons had magic.
Getting remastered Script of the bridge vinyl (same as you) penned by Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies. Amazing eighties band.
I know this is an older video, but I never associated shoegaze with the Chameleons. But after you mentioned it it’s a really accurate statement. Now it makes sense how atmospheric their music is. Also glad to hear how original Chameleons fans feel about the band!!
damn dude every time I break wind it seems that another really great musician that had an influence on me kicks the bucket. it's getting downright depressing. thanks for the info and the heads up on the fine music. you have impeccable taste. just knowing that these musicians touched the lives of others is at least some consolation. be well my friend. Z
What a beautiful tribute to a truly beautiful man -and musical genius.
Totally agree Dereck. The Chameleons are one of my fave bands of all time. I got to see them once at that Camden Palace gig that was filmed and is on CZcams and led me here actually. Agree about John but their whole sound was magical.
Second Skin is probably my favourite track but I pretty much love them all. Souls in Isolation from the Strange Times album is probably a good example of that massive John Lever sound who kinda also reminds me sometimes of Clem Burke or Rob Hirst.
Anyway, love your channel. Take care, Si
THANK YOU for expressing what many fans wish they could express , or wish someone of your dedication and fidelity to music would say in these 'strange times' of loss and remembrance.
The death of John Lever of the Chameleons is equivalent to the death of Pete de Freitas of the Bunnymen. Both a massive loss.
Very nice tribute to John, The Chameleons a much underated band, it was good to hear passionate thoughts for a superb musician. RIP John Lever.
thankyou for posting the terrible news. I grew up in Monmouth County NJ by Asbury Park. Im the girl in this picture, Not the Guy John. Born in 1971. Love this band. I listen to them at least once a week while driving in my car. I am so impressed by you. You do know your stuff.
Thanks Dereck for Your very fine tribute. I totally agree With Your comments concerning John Lever and the band Chameleons. One of my absolute favourite bands of all time, totally underrated I am sad to say. And yes, Johns drumming was very significant for their sound.
this is such a good music journalist dereck higgins who is delivering john lever's elegy... its a pity theres nought like this on australian tv... greetings from tasmania in the southern ocean breezes
Nice record collection, reminds me of my brothers. You learn so much about music with LP’s
you turned me on to more music Thanks but every time I go on that type of search it always ends with me listening to David Sylvian, I did enjoy the Chameleons, though.
Thank you. John was among my top influences. RIP.
Mark Burgess is a beautiful human, he held me as I cried after their show here. Such an amazing band
Great tribute
i would love to meet you
I think I found your channel the year before last and really very much appreciated what you post on here. So this time I'm subbing. Thanks a lot!
The Chameleons were one of those bands I liked and knew about in the mid 80's when 'Strange Times' came out (when I was in high school) but never *really* got into them until about 2006.
Bought a couple of their records and delved into them wholeheartedly. Great band.
R.I.P John Lever.
Fans of the Bunnymen and The Sound would love The Chameleons.
yes the sound are amazing too
Nice! R.I.P John.
Thank you
Fine tribute Dereck, many thanks
John lever
...tomorrow.remember yesterday..