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Colosseum

Musical Group
Forfans of progressive rock, jazz‑rock explorers, vertigo collectors, and drumming aficionados.
7 Reviews 2 Definitions 19 Charts
Rock Progressive Jazz

The Profile

Colosseum are a British jazz‑rock/progressive rock band formed in London in 1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman. Famed for virtuosic playing, they made their name with Valentyne Suite (1969) and incendiary live shows, later reuniting in the 1990s for acclaimed albums such as Bread & Circuses and Tomorrow’s Blues.

Public facts: formed in London (1968) by Jon Hiseman; classic early lineup included Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall‑Smith, Tony Reeves and James Litherland; later joined by Chris Farlowe, Clem Clempson and Mark Clarke; debut LP was Those Who Are About to Die Salute You (1969); Valentyne Suite (1969) was issued on Vertigo; reunion albums include Bread & Circuses (1997), Tomorrow’s Blues (2003/2004) and Time on Our Side (2014); Jon Hiseman died in 2018.

DeBaser’s reviews paint Colosseum as British jazz‑rock heavyweights: towering on Valentyne Suite, explosive on Live, and soulful on Daughter of Time. The reunion era earns strong praise too, from Bread & Circuses to Tomorrow’s Blues. Expect star turns by Jon Hiseman, Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall‑Smith, Chris Farlowe and Clem Clempson. Overall vibe: reverent, fired‑up, and very pro‑Colosseum.

Notable Quotes

❝ It is not jazz, it is not rock, it is not psychedelia, it is pure progressive, it is history taking sound and form.
❝ All these people are assembled by the bandleader Jon Hiseman, an absolute drum superstar at ease in rock, jazz, blues, progressive...in everything basically: a true rhythm god!
❝ Two stars for this damn album is an insult to music, dear dictionary of my boots.
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