Legendary drummer and COLOSSEUM catalyst Jon Hiseman founded COLOSSEUM II after his two albums with TEMPEST. Joining Hiseman in this new venture would be former THIN LIZZY and SKID ROW guitarist extraordinaire GARY MOORE, former NATIONAL HEALTH bassist Neil Murray and keyboard wizard DON AIREY plus Scottish born singer Mike Starrs, whose previous experierence included work with RICK WAKEMAN.

Following European and North American touring to promote the 1976 album 'Strange New Flesh' the band splintered, with frontman Mike Starrs joining Hamburg's LUCIFER'S FRIEND, featuring on the albums 'Good Time Warrior' and 'Sneak Me In', whilst Murray scored international success with WHITESNAKE. Neil Mole came in to fill the four-string position as Moore also took over some of the lead vocal role.

The band signed to MCA Records for 1977's 'Electric Savage'. This set proved to be be purely instrumental with the exception of the Gary Moore vocalised 'Rivers'. A further album 'War Dance' followed the same year, again almost instrumental bar Moore's 'Castles', but Moore relocated back once more to THIN LIZZY. Don's brother Keith Airey stood in as replacement but by 1978 the band had folded. Airey joined RAINBOW as Hiseman forged a fresh act PARAPHENALIA with his wife Barbara Thompson.

JON HISEMAN was back in the early 80's with two solo albums 'Night In The Sun' and 'About Time Too'. DON AIREY would become a much in demand session player racking up credits with the likes of BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST amongst many, many others. The new millennium found the keyboard player as a member of DEEP PURPLE. GARY MOORE forged a highly successful solo career with a succession of hit albums whilst Murray too made a significant name for himself with WHITESNAKE, VOW WOW, BLACK SABBATH and the BRIAN MAY band. In 2002 former COLOSSEUM II singer Mike Starrs joined veteran German Progressive Rock act LAKE.