Jon Hiseman's legendary Jazz/Rock
"Super Group" return to the Northeast this February
Colosseum were formed originally in
1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith and bassist Tony
Reeves, all of whom had previously been in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and
played on his acclaimed "Bare Wires" album. The group was completed by
keyboard wizard Dave Greenslade and guitarist/vocalist James Litherland
Colosseum were immediately signed to
the Fontana label who released the bands eponymous debut "Those Who Are
About To Die Salute You" which became the first of four album chart
successes for the band. A change to the newly formed Vertigo label in 1969
accompanied the bands second album "Valentyne Suite". The title track
was a twenty minute rock classic written by Greenslade/Hiseman/Heckstall-Smith
which showcased the individual talents of the musicians within a heart-stopping
elegiac and beautiful tapestry of sound.
The band were touring all over Europe
and were acknowledged as one of the most exciting and original acts on the
circuit. Mark Clarke and Dave 'Clem' Clempson had replaced Reeves and Litherland
on bass and guitar/vocals respectively but as the band entered the studios to
record their third album something was missing. The band featured one of the
most powerful array of musicians ever assembled, but Jon Hiseman felt that
Colosseum had always lacked a powerful vocalist, therefore Dave Greenslade
recommended he ask Chris Farlowe down to the studio.
Despite initial surprise from the music
press it was soon apparent that the addition of former R&B singer and chart
topper Chris Farlowe was the final piece in the jigsaw. The awesome
"Daughter Of Time" album was released, duly charted and Colosseum were
big business all over Europe - headlining major festivals in the U.K.; Germany;
Italy; Scandinavia and even Sicily!
"Colosseum - Live", a double
album followed nine months later and proved the bands biggest seller to date.
In late 1971 the first chapter of the
Colosseum story ended when Jon Hiseman decided to call it a day - most thought
prematurely. The legacy that the band left behind them were four tremendous
albums and a host of great memories for anyone who had seen the band on stage.
Reflecting that popularity Colosseum's last three London shows prior to their
demise had seen them sell-out the Royal Albert Hall twice and the Lyceum once.
It was to be twenty three years until
the second Colosseum chapter was to begin.
During the intervening period all the
ex members of Colosseum had toured Europe to be constantly asked the question
"Whatever happened to Colosseum - Why don't you get back together
again?" Pressure from the band began to exert itself on Jon Hiseman who was
not sure that it was the direction he wanted his career to go. Eventually he
agreed to see if there was genuine interest in a reunion and that the reformed
Colosseum would make their first appearance at the Zelt-Musik-Festival in
Freiburg, Germany on June 24th 1994.
Jon Hiseman need not have worried. The
show was packed out. Hundreds of people unable to get into the venue sat on the
surrounding hills and roared their welcome as Hiseman, Farlowe, Clempson,
Greenslade, Clarke and Heckstall-Smith stepped on stage and launched into
"Those Who Are About To Die...". Colosseum were truly back!
The Freiburg concert together with a
second show four months later in Cologne were recorded and released as a live CD
in 1995. The release was followed by a major tour of mainland Europe that was to
witness "Colosseum mania". Every show was sold out, CD's and T-shirts
were brought in their thousands and the one-off reunion tour began to take on a
more permanent look.
A new studio album "Bread And
Circuses" was recorded and released in late 1997 to coincide with a second
European tour which proved to be equally as successful as the first. Major
festival appearances followed during the Summer of 1998 when Jon Hiseman began
to turn his attention to the "home" market.
Following the huge success of the shows
in October 1998 and February 1999 Colosseum are returning to the U.K. arena in
October prior to the completion of their new studio album. There will be no laurels paraded, only
two hours of some of the most blistering music imaginable by six of the most
talented musicians in the World!
THE PLAYERS
.....
JON HISEMAN
Self taught virtuoso drummer who played
with GRAHAM BOND and JOHN MAYALL in the late sixties before forming Colosseum in
1968. After the band's demise he formed TEMPEST with singer PAUL WILLIAMS and
guitarist ALAN HOLDSWORTH, later replaced by OLLIE HALSALL. Tempest recorded two
albums before Jon teamed up with guitarist GARY MOORE with whom he formed
COLOSSEUM 11. The new Colosseum released three albums before Jon became tempted
to leave the World of Rock to join his wife's Modern Jazz band. With BARBARA
THOMPSON'S PARAPHERNALIA, Jon recorded ten albums and two solo releases.
Acknowledged by his peers to be amongst the top half dozen drummers in the
World.
CHRIS
FARLOWE
One
of the most respected vocalists in the business, often referred to as
“The Voice”. Chris came to fame during the sixties fronting his band
“THE THUNDERBIRDS” – one of the most popular R&B acts on the
live circuit at the time. The Thunderbirds launched the careers of drummer
CARL PALMER, keyboard player TONY ASHTON and guitarist ALBERT LEE amongst
others. Chris whilst signed to the Immediate label enjoyed a string of
chart successes, through three singles, two albums and an EP, culminating
with the number one hit “Out Of Time”, still one of the most played
songs on UK radio. Following the demise of R&B Chris joined COLOSSEUM
after which he enjoyed a two album spell with ATOMIC ROOSTER. In 1975
whilst on tour Chris Farlowe broke the house record at London’s prestigious
Marquee Club. The late seventies/early eighties saw a period
of self imposed retirement but sine 1985 Chris has toured continually all
over Europe, released a string of fine albums and worked regularly with
VAN MORRISON.
DAVE GREENSLADE
Keyboard player extraordinary. Dave
played with a number of rhythm and blues acts
during the sixties before joining CHRIS FARLOWE & THE THUNDERBIRDS in
1965 where he stayed for three years. Following a brief spell with the GENO
WASHINGTON BAND, Dave joined Colosseum. In late 1972 along with original
Colosseum bassist TONY REEVES, Dave formed GREENSLADE, a unique twin keyboard
band who did not use a guitarist. Greenslade built a huge following over the
next four years, releasing four albums. With the advent of Punk, Dave
concentrated on his writing and production skills. During the eighties he became
one of the BBC's most respected composers, scoring numerous TV drama's,
including, VERY PECULIAR PRACTICE, BIRD OF PREY and KINSEY as well as finding
time to release three solo albums. In July a Greenslade "Live" CD is
to be released followed in the Autumn by a new solo album "Going
South" and then before the year end the original line up of Greenslade will
be releasing a new CD followed early next year by a short tour.
DAVE
'CLEM' CLEMPSON
One of the all-time great guitarists.
Clem first attracted attention through his fret work with his band BAKERLOO in
1969, where Jon Hiseman saw enough to ask him to join Colosseum. In 1971 Clem
joined STEVE MARRIOTT'S HUMBLE PIE with whom he made four albums (two of which
charted on both sides of the Atlantic) and released seven singles. When Humble
Pie split up in 1978 he formed CHAMPION, but quit after one album since when he
has been involved in production, session work and Colosseum..
MARK CLARKE
Colosseum was Mark's first professional
bass playing job of note, following which he continued to play with Jon Hiseman
in TEMPEST. When Tempest split he formed NATURAL GAS for one album. He toured
with numerous acts including RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW before joining heavy
rockers URIAH HEEP. In the eighties and early nineties he replaced the late
Felix Pappalardi in LESLIE WEST'S MOUNTAIN.
BARBARA
THOMPSON
Full
details soon.
DICK
HECKSTALL-SMITH
TBC
We were very sad at the passing of Dick.
Having met him several times we always found him to be a
gentleman and very easy to work with. None will miss him more
however than his close family and friends, but we as music
lovers will also miss him greatly.
The incredible saxophone playing of
Dick Heckstall-Smith was part of the British Blues/R&B/Jazz/Rock scene
since the early sixties. Dick played or recorded with ALL the greats
enjoying extended stays with ALEXIS KORNER, GRAHAM BOND and JOHN MAYALL prior to
joining Colosseum. In 1972 he recorded a solo album on the Bronze label that
featured most of the members of Colosseum. After a year on the road with his own
group he hung up his saxophone and took a degree course at the London School Of
Economics. From the early eighties onward he has worked with his own Quartet or
Sextet, recording numerous solo albums whilst continuing to tour and record with
a host of other artists. Dick had a very distinctive playing style including an
ability to play two saxophones at once.
Together you have one of the most
talented and respected bands ever to play together - you have COLOSSEUM!
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