[kj] OT - John Lever Former Chameleons Drummer has died.

[Nick Scott]

I personally saw them many times both during the reformation, beginning twice at
the Witchwood (May 2000), and the now legendary sold out gig at Manchester
Academy (June 2000), I saw them afterwards many times at differing venues
including The Ritz in 2001, The Garage, Highbury & Islington and finally Jilly's
Rockworld in September 2002 just before they split up.

And many more times afterwards with John Lever's 'Second Skin' which then became
'Chameleons Vox' once Mark was on board.  The bad blood ran with John too, you
hear two differing stories about John 'leaving' the band and John 'ousted' out.
 Certainly when I spoke to both John and Dave in 2015 at the launch of TRSGS
album John was still very bitter and angry at the Chams Vox crew whilst Dave was
quite passive over the whole Chams Vox which surprised me, he told me that like
any other Chameleons member they have a right to play the songs and make a
living out of them, he just keeps out of it all, has no internet and seems quite
content.   Reg had been onboard with guitar tab teachings, and as you say is
still on good terms with Mark.

Yves now in the project 'Oskar's Drum' with former Kitchens Of Distinction
bassist/singer Patrick Fitzgerald although touring with 'Oskar's Drum' will be
limited due to Patrick's health, poor guy had a kidney transplant a few years
ago and does not play live often with ill health.  I somehow think Yves will
therefore carry on drumming as part of the 'cash cow' with Chameleons Vox who
have a European tour lined up in April/May.

I have only seen Chams Vox about three times after the 'ousting' of John,
certainly some of the things both said and done by Mark has left me feeling
somewhat bitter with many people pissed off with his narcissism.  Whilst Yves is
an extremely competent multi instrumentalist the drumming is also not a patch on
what John's was...also I had grown tired of nothng new coming from camp 'Vox'/

I feel if there were no Chameleons Vox there would be a greater likelihood of a
reformation, I somehow think this sad loss may lead to at least a one off
reuniting on stage of Mark, Reg and Dave though, some tribute to John will
undoubtedly be on the cards.



> On 15 March 2017 at 07:39 "fatpotanga ." <fatpotanga at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>     I only ever got to see them once at the Ritz c2001 and it was mesmerising,
> although you could see the cracks starting to show by the whithered looks from
> Mark to Dave.
>     As far as I know, that's only where the bad blood runs? In his
> autobiography he talks fondly of Reg.
>     Like you say, be interesting to see what happens. Death can be a great
> healer as Camp KJ can attest.
> 
>     As for reunions, never say never; look at KJ. Marks long time collaborator
> Yves Altana stepped in on drums for ChameleonsVox. About 10 years back Yves
> engineered and produced a demo for an old band I was in at Martin
> 'Can-you-dig-it' Coogans studio, Vibe. Nice guy, and great company. really
> passionate, in a Mad Corsican kind of way. HUGE killing joke fan.
> 
> 
>     On Tue, 14 Mar 2017 at 12:18, Brian Whitehead <bawhitehead at gmail.com
> mailto:bawhitehead at gmail.com > wrote:
> 
>         > >         Same for me, one day KJ are number one and on another it's
>         > > The Chameleons.
> >         I'm no expert on drumming but I always thought he was an under rated
> > drummer. Very powerful and driving...similar to Big Paul?
> > 
> >         Some great nights watching the Chameleons non more so the 5 nights
> > at the Witchwood back in 2001 was it.
> > 
> >         Puts an end to the dream of a re-union.
> > 
> >         After all the acrimony with Mark will be interesting to have Reg,
> > Dave and Mark in the same place again. I read what Mark said last year and
> > he didn't hold back.
> > 
> >         Anybody know what was the cause of death.
> > 
> >         Ye sadly missed,
> > 
> >         Brian. 
> > 
> > 
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