Atmosfear comprised of:
Andrzej (Andy) Sojka (guitar) b. 10th July 1951. d. 12th February 2000
Lester J. Bachelor (bass)
Tony Antoniou (lead vocalist / rhythm guitar)
Raymond Johnson (drums)
Peter Hinds (keyboards)
Leroy Williams (Congas & Bongo's)
Jerry Pike (Percussion & Sound Effects)
and Stewart Gawthorne (saxophone).
Atmosfear began in the bedroom of Jerry Pike with Jerry playing bongo's and Ray Johnson on melodica.
Jerry was also the manager of the All Ears Record shop in Harlesden, so the group could also practise at the back of the shop, additionally.
Next to join the band was Leroy Williams, a cousin of Ray Johnson, who played keyboards.
He then brought his friend, Lester Batchelor, who played bass, and then another guitarist friend called Geoffrey.
The group even had Ray Johnson's father on congas, the group then performing at Raymond's house as the front room of the house was larger.
Various drummers and other session people were involved, often including Light Of The World's Peter Hinds.
The group used to jam on Saturday afternoons, usually around a George Benson track ('Breezin' being one example).
Then Andy Sojka joined the line-up and Jerry Pike worked there for a period of 7 years.
Andy became Atmosfear's guitarist and Geoffrey left the line-up.
The group released their debut single on MCA in 1979, 'Dancing In Outer Space', which entered the U.K. Top 50.
The bassline was particularly notable on the tune and was played by Lester.
Lester played a Gibson RD Artist bass that he bought from Gibson whilst working for the company.
The bass had a built in moog synthesiser and only 10 of them were made.
Lester later had his stolen.
'Dancing In Outer Space' sold 100,000 copies and is frequently sampled.
In 1980, Sojka discovered and named Level 42, and signed them to his Elite label, producing their first single, 'Love Meeting Love', and 'The Early Tapes' album.
Atmosfear continued to record throughout the 80's but never revisited the pop chart.
The single releases included 'Motivation' in 1980, 'Xtra Special' in 1981 (featuring the vocals of Beverly Skeete), 'What Do We Do' in 1982 and 'First / Fourmost' in 1983.
A businessman, musician, producer and prolific writer, Andy Sojka also produced several other acts on Elite and later Jam Today labels, including soul singer Keni Stevens.
Andrzej Sojka died of multiple myeloma aged 48 in February 2000.
andy sojka's funeral order of service
Lester Bachelor moved into the exhibition industry forming his own design consultancy called Ideaz.
lester bachelor & clive clark 2005
very many thanks to tony antoniou for his help regarding this page, here is his biography:
Tony Antoniou Biography:
Joined Atmosfear as Lead Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist.
After Entrance was released, Tony was introduced to Level 42 by Andy Sojka as their potential lead singer but as he had embarked on a solo career releasing tracks 'Lifeline' {1983}, 'Sound on Sound' {84} and 'I Cant Give You All My Love' {84} a solo career was taking shape and decided to pursue this further.
Having soul chart success.
Further Releases:
1985 'I cant give you all my love' Sparten Records
1985 'Falling for An Angel' Sparten Records
1986 'When We Were Young' Jet Records
1986 'Take my Heart'email Antoniou@speed67.freeserve.co.uk
Albums:
En Trance (Elite 1981)
First / Foremost (Elite 1984)
