EPISODE SUMMARY

Welcome back to Those Who Are About To Dive: Chronicling Colosseum, Track by Bloody Track, where the track list occasionally takes a polite step aside so history can walk straight into the room and pour itself a drink.

THIS EPISODE:

Dr.’s Digressions — Mark Clarke: Mach II

Mark Clarke returns to the Den, and what begins as a simple question — “What was your first recorded track with Colosseum?” — detonates into a two-hour guided tour through five decades of rock mythology.

We confirm the answer: “Downhill and Shadows” from Daughter of Time — Mark’s first committed Colosseum studio performance. Nervous. Half an hour to cut it. Jon Hiseman says, “That’s great.” History moves on.

From there?

Strap in.

Mark walks us through:

• The Tony Reeves fallout and the awkward politics of taking the Colosseum bass chair
• Zeppelin at the Hyatt House (yes, that Hyatt House)
• Motorcycles in hallways and six-packs glued to elevator walls
• Felix Pappalardi, Mountain, and the tragedy that followed
• Eddie Van Halen at 15 asking for an autograph at the Whisky
• The truth about the mysterious guy on the Colosseum Live cover
• Mick Ronson, Ian Hunter, Larry Coryell, Jack Bruce, Levon Helm, Mick Taylor, Hamish Stewart, Ringo’s orbit, and the quiet gravity of Liverpool

And through it all, the recurring theme: Colosseum may have been a “well-known secret” among musicians — but the musicians were absolutely listening.

We also get deep into “Tonight” from Restoration — the song that brought Clem Clempson to tears in the studio.

There are brandy stories.

There are backstage politics.

There is honesty about egos, genius, and the difference between myth and memory.

Most importantly, there is this: After all the tours, the supergroups, the near-misses and the legends…Mark still wants to get on the plane.

Still wants to jam at soundcheck.

Still hugs Clem after a great show.

That’s not nostalgia.

That’s DNA.

No verdicts rendered this week.

Just lived history from a man who was there when it was all new.

YOUR PRESCRIPTION

Recommended Indulgences — Mark Clarke Edition

(Administered not for correction, but for pleasure.)

Essential Listening

• Colosseum — “Downhill and Shadows” (Daughter of Time)
• The first step into the fire.
• Colosseum — “Tonight” (Restoration)
• The tear-trigger. Listen closely.
• Colosseum — “Hesitation” (Restoration)
• Modern Colosseum with undiminished passion.
• Colosseum Live (1971)
• Drop the needle. Meet the mystery man.
• Colosseum LiveS – The Reunion Concerts
• Energy restored. No nostalgia tax.

Extended Digression Homework

• Ian Hunter — All of the Good Ones Are Taken
• Mountain — particularly the Pappalardi era
• Mick Ronson solo work
• Larry Coryell live material
• Jack Bruce — Songs for a Tailor onward
• Average White Band (Hamish Stewart era)
• Sydney Christmas (as instructed by Mark himself)

Recommended Conditions

• Best consumed after dark
• Volume slightly higher than socially acceptable
• Consider a modest whiskey (avoid brandy)
• Do not Google the Live cover guy — embrace the mystery
• Allow time for emotional whiplash

Possible Side Effects

• Sudden desire to jam at soundcheck
• Renewed respect for bass players
• Mild resentment that Colosseum didn’t fully crack America
• Increased tolerance for long solos
• A creeping suspicion that rock history is far stranger than advertised

Next episode: we return to the tracks.

But for now —

The Doctor is in.

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