For a time during the 1970s my friend CP Lee, who has died aged 70, teetered on the brink of celebrity with his Manchester-based satirical rock band Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias.
They were a much-loved live and recording act, with a handful of albums to their name, and when CP wrote a stage show, Sleak, to further showcase their talents, it became a hit at the Royal Court theatre in London in 1977. However, a New York staging faltered, and after an Albertos’ TV sketch show for Granada ended up being re-edited, bafflingly, for transmission in a children’s afternoon timeslot, the band split up.
CP (Christopher Paul) was born in Didsbury in Manchester to James Lee, a police officer, and his wife, Lillian (nee Hutchinson), a hairdresser. During his time at Manchester High School of Art he embarked on a series of musical adventures, and within a few years of leaving there he had formed Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias. Once they split, he spent a few dispiriting years in London trying to consolidate his writing and performing career, only to return home to Manchester in the mid-80s.
What happened next was less obviously in the limelight, but it was no mean achievement. He did a degree in humanities and social studies at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University), graduating in 1989 and then completing a PhD on Manchester music history. His doctorate formed the basis of a fine book, Shake Rattle & Rain (2002).
CP also wrote two well-regarded volumes about Bob Dylan and developed a one-man show based on the routines of the 1950s American standup comedian Lord Buckley, as well as studying and celebrating the careers of the comedian Frank Randle and the actor/writer Cliff Twemlow.
In addition he became an accomplished broadcaster, making or appearing in radio and TV documentaries, including a show-stealing turn in the 2019 film Being Frank, a documentary about the maverick Manchester character Frank Sidebottom. During the 90s he was a regular guest on Mark & Lard’s Radio 1 night-time show, and by day taught in the film and media department at Salford University, retiring from there in 2015.
Down the years CP formed assorted new bands to play local pubs and clubs, cheerfully pursuing his love of music to the end.
He is survived by his wife, Pam (nee Malden), whom he married in 1991, stepsons Tom and Nick, and two grandchildren.
