Nero & the Gladiators were a British instrumental rock and roll band in the early 1960s. The group was led by keyboard player Mike O'Neill as "Nero", and had two minor hits in the UK, "Entry of the Gladiators" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King". Mike O'Neill later played in various bands including The John Barry Seven, The Ivy League, The Echoes and Head Hands & Feet. "Boots" Slade became a member of The Alan Price Set. Colin Green later became musical director for Shirley Bassey. Mike O'Neill died on 10 October 2013 of liver cancer.