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.

Tributes to Lever have poured in from the musical world, including the following from Clint Boon.

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

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 cult following for the Mancunian post-punk act.