Book of Remembrance
Friends, Fans, Musicians & Colleagues
270 entries.
Became a fan when Colosseum fearured on Peel's Top Gear. Rushed out and bought the first album. Been a fan... Read more
Became a fan when Colosseum fearured on Peel's Top Gear. Rushed out and bought the first album. Been a fan ever since. Talked to Jon briefly after a Paraphernalia gig at the Bull's Head, Barnes. Told him I loved Colosseum, had seen them a couple of times, and asked, "Why not get the band back together?" He laughed. Barbara and Paraphernalia were brilliant, so that was his answer to me at that time. So happy Colosseum reformed nearly 20 years after that encounter. He was a truly great musician, a good man and I, like many, miss him very much. Still often play his music.... Collapse
Jon was an fascinating and impressive drummer. When I was i think 16 or 17 i saw him with Colosseum... Read more
Jon was an fascinating and impressive drummer. When I was i think 16 or 17 i saw him with Colosseum 2 in a little town Duderstadt in Germany. My Brother was six years older ans a fanatic Colosseum Fan. He did manage to let the rowdies to let him on stage to take photos because he told them he was from the press. The Drum solo was breathtaking, I have never seen a drummer like him again, a man who seems to be himself a part of the drums, not a drummer.
He has enriched the world of music. Drum in Heaven !... Collapse
From the first few chuntering beats of Walking In The Park I was hooked by this man's genius. It made... Read more
From the first few chuntering beats of Walking In The Park I was hooked by this man's genius. It made me not want to take up percussion but just to revel in Jon's performances and compositons, on record and live. His legacy lies in all of us as stunning memories. Thank you for being in my life.... Collapse
Starting in my youth, when I played myself the bass guitar in a small band, the name John Hiseman was... Read more
Starting in my youth, when I played myself the bass guitar in a small band, the name John Hiseman was absolutely famous within the members of our band. I grew up and got old, but he stayed on top of all drummers in my opinion. I am so happy that I have seen him life at least once; together with Barbara on stage. It will be unforgettable! Your footprint is huge, thank you ! RIP... Collapse
As a drummer and percussionist myself, ever since first seeing Colloseum live in the late 60’s, and from the legendary... Read more
As a drummer and percussionist myself, ever since first seeing Colloseum live in the late 60’s, and from the legendary ‘Valentine Suite’ album onwards, through to seeing Jon playing drums in Paraphernalia in the 70’s and 80’s, I have always been a huge fan of Jon’s unique drumming. Add to that his pioneering bandleader roles, studio owner, producer, pioneer of digital music, and everything else he accomplished in his 74 years, and it is poignantly clear that he will be sorely missed forever........ Collapse
I first discovered Colosseum's music in 1988, having found several used lps in Ottawa, Canada where I live. Immediately, I... Read more
I first discovered Colosseum's music in 1988, having found several used lps in Ottawa, Canada where I live. Immediately, I was very impressed with the wonderful technique and awesome power of that band, and still am today. Around 1990, I discovered Colosseum 2, with a used lp copy of Electric Savage in Ottawa, and was blown away by the invigorating freshness of that music. In more recent times, I have had the pleasure of seeing Jon Hiseman and Colosseum on dvd, and that furthered my reverence for him and his band! I have lived most of my life in Canada, and regret never having seen him live. I am so grateful for his super music, and he will always live on for me in that way. RIP, Jon... Collapse
Aged 16 in the Autumn of 1969, my life was changed forever when I first heard the Valentyne Suite and... Read more
Aged 16 in the Autumn of 1969, my life was changed forever when I first heard the Valentyne Suite and particularly the build-up to the last section, The Grass Is Greener, and and its unforgettable sax opening.
Since then I've savoured everything Colosseum and any links and, though I didn't get to see the band first time round, I did see them in 1994 - at Basildon.
Before that though I attended many Paraphernalia gigs and, having had the enormous pleasure and privilege of meeting Jon and Barbara on several occasions after shows, I am very humbled to have been able to share, however briefly, his/their company and experience first-hand his/their 100% wholeheartedness as a person/people.
Of all the musicians (from the 60s/70s) that I've been lucky enough to meet, Jon was - along with Dick Heckstall-Smith and Mel Collins - the most down-to-earth, genuinely and inherently friendly and most willing to spare time for enthusiastic fans that I've ever met.
A brief aside: on the sporting front, one of my supreme heroes is the late Bobby Moore. Like him, Jon wasn’t only a magnificent exponent and top level achiever of his natural skills, he was also a real gentleman and genuine, unassuming human being which for me counts even more.
And just as Bobby has taken his place - as captain naturally - in the celestial football team, so Jon is now the drummer and lead inspiration in heaven’s definitive jazz-rock band, reunited, of course, with DH-S. The afterlife is profoundly richer for the arrival of such supremely talented but eternally modest souls.
My sincerest and warmest thoughts go to Barbara and Ana Gracey, who know that their lives have been touched in a very special way by the substantial part that Jon has played as a friend, workmate, husband and father.
Both are very lucky people and deserve to be in the warm thoughts of the music-loving public as they continue their efforts to come to terms with his untimely and wholly unwarranted departure and move forwards with their own lives.
To Jon: thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the pleasure you have freely given me and countless others over the last 50 years.
R(ock) I P.... Collapse
I first saw Jon Hiseman and Colesseum play at Loughborough way back when and the memory of that performance has... Read more
I first saw Jon Hiseman and Colesseum play at Loughborough way back when and the memory of that performance has stuck with me since. A great loss to us down here, but up there somewhere I bet there is some great music playing with brilliant drumming. The legacy lives on.... Collapse
