Venue’s memorial to legendary musician
FRIENDS OF CP LEE HELP FORM TRIBUTE AFTER HIS SUDDEN DEATH, AGED 70
HIS death rocked the Manchester music and academia scenes - but CP Lee’s memory still lives on at a music venue.
A special memorial has been put on display at Fred’s Ale House, Levenshulme - where the musician and Salford University lecturer passed away on July 25 - to honour his extraordinary life.
Didsbury-born Chris Lee, known as CP, excelled as a writer, broadcaster, performer and university lecturer and at the time of his death was praised by a friend and colleague for his ‘incredible contribution to the city’. CP died suddenly aged 70 of a heart attack, leaving behind his beloved wife Pam, 69 and stepsons Tom, 42 and Nick, 39.
Despite Chris’ fame in Manchester bands, including Greasy Bear and satirical rock outfit Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias, he perhaps did not get quite the credit he deserved. This became a bit of a running joke between those closest to him, including his friend Dr John Burscough - who he met at Manchester University in the ‘60s and who helped design and organise the display.
Chris’s wife Pam attended the unveiling of the display, which featured his own gentleman’s umbrella in a frame in the style of ‘The Treachery of Images’ - the very umbrella he left behind at the bar after his passing.
Others that attended the socially distanced afternoon were John Reid from Cherry Red Records, Ian ‘Mog’ Morris from Fred’s - and Chris’ band mate - and friends Julie Grace, Karl Lynch and Vicky and Mick Middles.
Dr Burscough said: “It’s intended to be a permanent tribute to Chris. He loved the bar, he socialised there most weekends and played many a gig there.
“Pam always lovingly described him as ‘potty’ and I think he would love it if he saw what we’d done.”