Book of Remembrance

Followed the man and bands since 1969. Saw JCM last year at the Stables, I'm gutted.... Collapse

I was lucky enough to know Jon as the dad of one of my best friends at school, Marcus. We spent many happy days at their home and both he and Barbara put up with a bunch of noisy teenagers with their typical kindness and generosity - I should apologise for the odd bottle of wine we may have drunk while they were away on tour too, but I'll blame Marcus for that 🙂 I have very fond memories of driving in Marcus car listening to Colloseum 1 and 2 on cassette tape and remember hearing him rehearse for hours and hours to hone his talent. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing and hope that the love and respect being expressed by so many people for Jon can bring some comfort to Barbara, Marcus and Ana. Best Wishes, Ian xx... Collapse

I discovered Jon in '68 when I bought Mayall's "Bare Wires" LP. I was a huge Colosseum fan; kind of unique for someone living in Idaho! He was definitely my inspiration to learn to play the drums; even took the 1st Colosseum album to my instructor (who was amazed.) I love watching clips of the reunited band on YouTube & I think Jon must've been a very likeable guy. I hope to "sport him a pint" when I see him in Drummer's Heaven!... Collapse

its taken me awhile to write this, but I can now. it was thru john mayalls bluesbreakers lp bare wires that I became aware of jon. his rolls on the tom toms were very exciting to hear. after mayall he formed the first REAL jazz rock band colloseum. they were the high water mater that every band there after strived to reach but couldn't. with the recent formation of JCM his playing was still tasteful and to the point.so many musicans from the time period 60s still continue playing and flogging the the dead horse they call a band. not jon he continued to pursue the his own calling and left us with a terrific lp JCM heroes. thanks jon for all the GREAT music you have given us and that we are able to enjoy. peace, bruce... Collapse

I've always been a little late for everything. Discovered Colosseum in mid seventies - Too late, Then Colosseum II in beginning of the 80's, arrghh again too late, Tempest was obscure for me untill late 80's - Sighhh! But then in the mid 80's I suddenly were at the right place at the right time, in a small jazz club in Copenhagen (Montmartre) where a mixed constellation of jazz/fusion musicians gathered together for a few concerts. They were based on Jan Akkerman recording his new album "It could happen to you" in Denmark backed by Danish keyboardist Kenneth Knudsen, who's music I was very much into, with his own group "Anima". The musical project was intelligently named "Special Project" and was further backed by Pablo Nahar (B), Bjorn J:Son Lindh (Keyboards/Flute), and Jon Hiseman on drums. Might also have had Cy Nicklin on vocals, but am unsure, but he was part of "Anima" The set was a mixture of Jan Akkerman songs, Kenneth Knudsens Anima songs (Striptease is the most memorable one), a little J:Son Lindh (too much actually as he was drunk as a skunk, could barely stand on his feet and played wrong keys constantly) and a little Colosseum, Remember Jon telling that the most armbreaking and difficult drum piece to play was Bolero, which he offcourse went on to play :-). A marvellous night, which I'll always remember, even though the memorabilia has since disappeared. RIP... Collapse