Colosseum (band)

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.

Related Topics:
Jazz-rock - Progressive rock - 1968 - Jon Hiseman - Dick Heckstall-Smith - Tony Reeves

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Colosseum's second album, their second release in 1969, was The 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.

Related Topics:
Vertigo Records - Black Sabbath

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Vertigo Records was a branch of the Phillips brand to sign and develop artists which may not fit the Phillips Records brand.

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A new lead singer came with the 1970 release Daughter of Time. A followup live double album appeared in 1971, shortly before the original band broke up.

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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).

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A reunion tour for Colosseum happened in 1994, which was the catalyst for a CD release.

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