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Chameleons drummer John Lever, RIP

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John Lever (R) with The Chameleons

John Lever, who played drums in The Chameleons and The Sun & The Moon, has died. The very sad news came via former Chameleons frontman Mark Burgess:

I’m deeply sad to report that this afternoon I got the news that John Lever died this morning following a short period of illness. We want to offer our sincere and deepest sympathy to John’s mother, his sister and his two children at this terrible time.

Lever’s hard-hitting, intricate, tom-heavy style was essential to The Chameleons’ sound, as evidenced on songs like “Less Than Human,” “Soul in Isolation” and “Swamp Thing.” They would not have been the same without him.

Rest in peace, John. Your music lives on. Video and song streams of John in action, below.