Nero and the Gladiators were a British instrumental rock group formed in 1960 by keyboardist Mike O’Neill, known by his stage name “Nero.” Renowned for their energetic mix of rock and roll and classical themes, the band stood out with their dramatic Roman-inspired stage costumes and keyboard-driven sound. They gained attention with early 1960s singles like “Entry of the Gladiators” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” securing their place in the UK’s early rock scene as one of the most distinctive instrumental acts of the era.