Colosseum (band)

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For other uses, see Colosseum (disambiguation).

Colosseum is a British jazz-rock band considered also a part of the early roots of progressive rock. The band formed in 1968 with founding members drummer Jon Hiseman, tenor sax Dick Heckstall-Smith (who died December 2004) and bass player Tony Reeves. All three had previously played together in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Dave Greenslade (organ) was immediately recruited, and the line-up was completed by Jim Roche (guitar). Roche only recorded one track before being replaced by James Litherland (guitar and vocals).

Colosseum made their live debut in Newcastle, and were promptly recorded by influential BBC Radio One DJ John Peel for his Top Gear Radio program. This appearance gained them valuable exposure and critical acclaim.

Colosseum's second album, their second release in 1969, was Valentyne Suite, and is arguably the band's best. It is well-known as the first album release from the label Vertigo Records, which also first signed hard rockers Black Sabbath. Vertigo Records was a branch of the Philips brand to sign and develop artists which may not fit the Philips Records brand.

After the second album, James Litherland was replaced by Dave "Clem" Clempson for the 1970 album, The Grass Is Greener, which was oddly released only in America.

Tony Reeves was then replaced by Mark Clarke, and John Hiseman recruited Chris Farlowe to enable Clempson to concentrate on guitar. This is considered by most fans to be the definitive line-up. They recorded the 1970 release Daughter of Time.

In March 1971, the band recorded a gig at the Big Apple in Brighton, followed by one at Manchester University. Hiseman was impressed with the atmosphere at the Manchester gig, and the band returned five days later for a free concert which was also recorded. the recordings were released as a live double album in 1971, shortly before the original band broke up.

Colosseum has had a couple different sets of band members (and, when it split and then oriented further towards jazz-fusion rock with a relatively new lineup, renamed itself Colosseum II with guitar ace Gary Moore, percussion from Jon Hiseman, the keyboards of Don Airey). Barbara Thompson on saxophone joined the band on various occasions after the death of Dick Heckstall-Smith.

A reunion tour for Colosseum happened in 1994, which was the catalyst for a CD release and new studio releases. After the reunion Colosseum also released expanded editions of Valentyne Suite and Colosseum Live, as well as several compilation albums.