Book of Remembrance

Friends, Fans, Musicians & Colleagues

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269 entries.
Martin Gillbanks from United Kingdom wrote on January 4, 2019 at 11:13 pm
Dear Barbara Jon will be sadly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of listening and watching him... Read more
Dear Barbara Jon will be sadly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of listening and watching him play. He was my drumming hero from my teens and such a gent. Thank you Jon for the music. Love and best wishes to the Hisemans. Martin Gillbanks.
Wolfgang Freye from Germany wrote on January 3, 2019 at 9:58 pm
I will always remember you, Jon, as one of the greatest drummers ever and a very friendly person. I met... Read more
I will always remember you, Jon, as one of the greatest drummers ever and a very friendly person. I met you on some concerts with Colosseum, the last one was during the farewell-tour in Bochum. Thank you and all the best for Barbara and your family!
Colin Richardson from England wrote on January 3, 2019 at 12:27 pm
I first met Jon in 1962 at the "Jazzhouse", Blackheath, a club that I co-ran at the time. I played... Read more
I first met Jon in 1962 at the "Jazzhouse", Blackheath, a club that I co-ran at the time. I played double bass at the time and Jon, then a semi-pro musician, often took the drum chair on gigs. Our friendship continued over the ensuing years, even after he turned pro with Graham Bond; with our paths weaving in and out during my early years in the music business as an Agency booker (often for bands Jon played with). This eventually led, in Spring of 1968, to Jon asking me to be Colosseum's manager... and thus began three of the best years in my life! When Colosseum broke up in October 1971...our paths veered away from each other, with me changing course by joining Charisma Records and Jon launching a new band, 'Tempest'; but we stayed in touch socially, even after I left the music business in 1980 and moved away from London. Quite a bit later, some time around 2007, author Martyn Hanson arrived Chez Hiseman to ask for Jon's authorisation to write his biography. Jon's response was typical: "Who would want to read a book about me?". Martyn, however, was undeterred and, after conducting many interviews and ploughing through umpteen boxes of archive material from Jon's attic, he produced the first draft, which Jon wanted to trim down a bit, and asked me if I would help to edit. Over the next two and a half years, Jon and I read, re-read and re-re-read, honing the content until we produced the 450 pp book of his life in music. Hard work, but so rewarding. The final version was a book that, though not without flaws, we were very proud to have completed Since that time I have become a sort of unofficial P.A. for Jon, Colosseum and more recently, the sadly short-lived three-piece 'tribute' band JCM. Jon's illness came out of the blue - totally unexpected and all the more shocking because he was still going like a bat out of hell, covering all the bases for his co-musicians, caring for his beloved wife Barbara, running the studio, VAT returns, royalties for the "boys" etc etc. Jon was, without exaggeration, one of those 'special' people - a natural born leader. Multi-talented and driven, but always in such a modest and unassuming way. I certainly never thought I would see him stopping, or even slowing down. He drove himself with such determination and energy that the idea seemed unthinkable. Then this awful disease came and made him do what what he himself could never have done...stop. I miss him terribly. We have been in each other's lives for so long, I can't imagine him not being there, though in a way he will always be there... in all those precious memories of the great times we had together.
Jim Melvin from United Kingdom wrote on December 29, 2018 at 2:13 pm
I saw Jon play many times both with Barbara Thompson's Paraphernalia and the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, usually driving... Read more
I saw Jon play many times both with Barbara Thompson's Paraphernalia and the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, usually driving all the way through the Lake District from Whitehaven to the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. He was the most amazing drummer I have ever heard or seen, and I particularly remember his stunning solos. He will be sadly missed.
Brian Parsons from United Kingdom wrote on December 25, 2018 at 10:15 am
Colosseum had the greatest influence on my musical tastes over the years. Favourite LP had to be The Valentyne Suite,... Read more
Colosseum had the greatest influence on my musical tastes over the years. Favourite LP had to be The Valentyne Suite, brilliant Jazz Rock fusion.. RIP Jon thanks for the great music.
Dave Bush from UK wrote on December 24, 2018 at 4:38 pm
So sad to hear of the untimely death of a great drummer, musician and inspirer of future talent. I am... Read more
So sad to hear of the untimely death of a great drummer, musician and inspirer of future talent. I am lucky that I was able to follow and enjoy his unique band at their gigs from 1969 through to 2015, and will continue to listen to the fantastic CDs tht form a part or his legacy
Graham Foster from UK wrote on December 21, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Listening to the Colosseum gang over the years, thousands of times, has given me immense pleasure. Jon, you were not... Read more
Listening to the Colosseum gang over the years, thousands of times, has given me immense pleasure. Jon, you were not just a drummer but a legend amongst them. I thank you for the positive musical influence that you have contributed to my life. You will not be forgotten, you'll still be number one my record deck and one of my all time heroes! RIP Jon.
Peter IBBETSON from GB wrote on December 18, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Saw many Colosseum gigs from the late 60s through to the final 2 gigs in 2015. Probably the best live... Read more
Saw many Colosseum gigs from the late 60s through to the final 2 gigs in 2015. Probably the best live band I've ever seen and one of the drumming greats.. Great to see Barbara T play with Jon in the latter years of the band and for her to be at the Stables to watch JCM. Thanks for the memories and music Jon.
Pete Fortune from Scotland wrote on December 7, 2018 at 1:35 pm
When I was 17 Colosseum Live blew me away. I'm now 64 and still play it (and Valentyne Suite, which... Read more
When I was 17 Colosseum Live blew me away. I'm now 64 and still play it (and Valentyne Suite, which was a sound track to my first serious romantic encounter).
Nigel from Wales wrote on December 4, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Learning of Jon's illness shortly after the gig at the Robin2 was a major shock for me as Jon performed... Read more
Learning of Jon's illness shortly after the gig at the Robin2 was a major shock for me as Jon performed impeccably as always. To then discover of his passing was a very sad day for me personally. I can remember buying Colosseum's Valentyne Suite at the age of 16 and being completely blown away. What an album that was! Have followed Jon's career ever since. Its hard to convey the impact musicians such as Jon has on the lives of ordinary people like myself. Music has been my best friend throughout my life and I thank Jon for his part in that.

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