Colosseum

Colosseum are a British jazz rock and progressive rock group from the United Kingdom, active from 1968 to the present. The band forms in 1968 around drummer Jon Hiseman, tenor saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith and bassist Tony Reeves, following their earlier work together in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers on the Bare Wires album. Dave Greenslade joins on organ, and the original line-up is completed by Jim Roche on lead guitar and James Litherland on guitar and vocals, although Roche records only one track before leaving.

Early recordings and first releases

The band makes its live debut at the Scene Two club in Scarborough and later appears on John Peel’s Top Gear radio programme, which brings it wider attention and critical praise. Its first album, Those Who Are About To Die Salute You, appears on Fontana in 1969. Later the same year, Valentyne Suite follows and becomes notable as the first release on the Vertigo label.

Line-up changes and key albums

In 1970, Clem Clempson replaces James Litherland for the first American-released album, The Grass Is Greener, which combines material from the first UK album with new tracks. Louis Cennamo briefly replaces Tony Reeves on bass before Mark Clarke takes over. Chris Farlowe then joins as lead singer so that Clempson can focus on guitar. This line-up partly records Daughter of Time, which is often treated as the band’s definitive formation. In March 1971, Colosseum records a live album from concerts at the Big Apple in Brighton and at Manchester University, with the Manchester performance completed by a later free concert. Colosseum Live is released in June, and the group breaks up a few months later after Clempson leaves to join Humble Pie, with lack of new material and fatigue also contributing.

Reunion and later activity

Jon Hiseman later forms Tempest and Colosseum II in 1975, the latter featuring Gary Moore and Don Airey and releasing four albums before splitting in 1978. Colosseum reunites in 1993 for a festival in Freiburg and a live television performance in Cologne, and the group continues touring and releasing studio and live recordings. Barbara Thompson, Hiseman’s wife, appears with the band on several occasions before replacing Dick Heckstall-Smith after his death in 2004 and becoming a permanent member. After Hiseman dies in 2018, Colosseum reunites again for selected shows in 2020. That line-up includes Chris Farlowe, Clem Clempson and Mark Clarke, with Kim Nishikawara on saxophone, Adrian Askew on keys and organ, and Malcolm Mortimore on drums; Nick Steed later fills the keyboard role. The band tours from 2021 and releases the studio album Restoration in 2022.

Other work and collaborations

Colosseum also appears in the “Super Session” film alongside Jack Bruce, Roland Kirk Quartet, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills and Buddy Guy. Jon Hiseman’s 2010 biography, Playing the Band..., covers his career and the many groups he plays with, including Graham Bond, John Mayall, Georgie Fame and the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble.