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For a band who’ve become something of a byword for steady, water-treading reliability in the world of rock and roll, Status Quo have had a pretty weird old career when you think about it. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the fact that they’re still going as strong as ever, half a century after they started and a good few decades after the brand of boogie rock that they continue to play to this day became stale in the eyes of the record buying public. Yet, here they are, still able to sell out arenas across the globe, still able to to score top ten albums and still able to slay festivals in their sixth decade together as a band. Really, you couldn’t make it up if you tried.
I suppose it makes sense that the band formed in secondary school. There’s something profoundly “boys own” about the band and they’ve never quite lost that feel that they’re still schoolboy scamps who made good at heart. I mean, what else can you say about two sexagenarians who posed nude on their latest album cover with acoustic guitars preserving their modesty? Anyway, the band began in 1962 as The Scorpions, formed by lead guitarist and singer Francis Rossi, and original bassist Alan Lancaster. A year later they changed their name to The Spectres, added John Coghlan on the drums and by 1966 The Spectres were signed to Piccadilly Records. However, success would not come easily to the band, and their first couple of singles sank without a trace.
This would all change in the following year however, since back in 1965, Rossi had become close friends with fellow guitarist and singer Rick Parfitt. The pair had vowed to work together on some kind of musical project but nothing came of it until 1967, when Rossi completed the vintage Quo line-up by adding Parfitt as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Not for nothing was this Quo line-up referred to as the “Frantic Four”. Also in 1967, the band discovered psychedelia, which was to be their making as a band. That’s right, Status Quo, them of the four chord barroom boogie rock, got their big break with a psychedelic rock song. Namely 1968’s “Pictures Of Matchstick Men”.
The song was an astonishing hit, reaching the top ten in the U.K and Canada, whilst also reaching number 12 in the U.S. However, try as they might, they failed to make lightning strike twice and after their second album tanked they went back to the drawing board. What they came up with would change their lives forever, and the band abandoned psychedelia in both sound and look, in favour of hard rock, faded jeans and white T-shirts. In 1970 they debuted this new look and sound in the album “Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon” but it wasn’t until 1972 that it began to catch on. ’72 was the year they signed to renowned hard rock label Vertigo, and with “Piledriver”, their first album on the label, they had a top five hit album, a run of three hit singles and the rock world was suddenly their oyster.
Since then the band’s only rivals have been legends like The Stones and The Who. Jagger and Richards’ band are to this day the only band to have more hit albums on the UK charts than them, and it’s estimated that they’ve played 6000 live shows in total to over 25 million people. However, what makes them so vital is that while members come and go, the band lives and dies with Parfitt and Rossi, whose friendship and collaboration has been the constant driving force of the band. Few other bands can lay a claim like that, just like few other bands can lay as convincing a claim to being true national treasures as Status Quo can. Highly recommended.
Avis
Recent shows have seen Status Quo play in a reformed version of their classic seventies line-up of Francis Rossi (guitar, vocals), Rick Parfitt (guitar, vocals), Alan Lancaster (bass, vocals) & John Coughlan (drums) regularly referred to now as The Frantic Four.
They played a brilliant set based on the seminal 1976 "Live!" album, that is a bluesier, heavier version of Quo. I'd happily watch this version of band do the same set every year from now until the end of time but all good things have to come to an end and it's likely from now on the line-up will revert to the more familiar "Party Quo" line-up.
"Party Quo" are still led by Rossi & Parfitt and feature long time Quo members John Edwards on bass, and Andy Bown on keyboards along with a drummer, most recently Leon Cave. They are likely to play bigger venues and more often than not manage a Christmas tour of the UK.
The set list still features songs from the band's seventies peak and you're likely to hear plenty of heavy rock classics such as Caroline, Paper Plane, Down Down & Roll Over Lay Down. However, with "Party Quo" you'll get more of the more recent hits like Whatever You Want, Rocking All Over The World and In The Army Now.
Either line-up will give you a couple of hours of great rock'n'roll and even if you only have a passing fancy in the band you're almost guaranteed to have a good time. I've seen the band in various line-ups over 30 times and have enjoyed every single one.
Status Quo remain one of the best live bands you're likely to see which is pretty impressive for a bunch of musicians who are old enough to collect their bus pass.
Chops_Top_Fives
Status Quo are still as unbelievable live as they have ever been, playing true to their names as legends of Rock n Roll. The band has been one of the biggest musical names in British rock history since they formed back in 1962. It is incredible to think that they are still going strong, and that many of their classic 70s hits are still huge anthems today. The crowd that lined up to watch the band perform proved how popular Status Quo still are and always will be: there were young teenagers, 20 somethings, families and rock veterans in the crowd, all equally excited to see the iconic band live. Status Quo did not disappoint. They hashed out a number of classic 70s hits such as ‘Caroline’ and ‘Paper Plane’ as well as fan favourites such as ‘Whatever You Want’ and ‘Rocking All Over the World’. Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt led the vocals and guitars, and both received an incredible reaction from the crowd. They were joined by the rest of the Frantic Four in a reformation of the band’s classic line up from their golden years.
sabraziz
I left in a glass half full mood.
Don't get me wrong, the concert was excellent and on a rough calculation, this was my 50th Quo gig. Francis Rossi is the best frontman in rock. Ritchie Malone was an able deputy for the missing Rick Parfitt. Alas, it was the last night of the electrics. I will no longer be able to rock along with the mighty Quo.
That's why I left the gig, although mightily fulfilled, a little sad.
The Quo have been there to rock out to, for most of my teens and then adult life.
Goodbye to the electrics I will miss it.
If you feel inclined to do the odd electric gig though in the future, I'll be first in line for tickets.
Quo will always be my musical love, the music, the stage presence and that catchy boogie riff. Audiences around the UK will miss them, but memories will remain forever. I love the Quo and I don't care who knows it.
mark-jones-45
A great night and the 98th time I've seen them and one of the best yet. The set list was much as you would expect it, but at least you know what you are getting! The band seemed to be really enjoying themselves last night.
With support from REO Speedwagon who I've not seen before but they rocked! Playing for 1 hour with an impressive stage set for a support band.
Plus the Lounge Kittens which were better than I expected doing about 30mins
The 6.35 start time caught a few people out, but a good value gig.
Ovalrocker
I saw Status Quo at the beginning of the month at the Bournemouth International Centre. Francis Rossi is the only one of their classic lineup but the Quo still rock throughout the night, performing a good variety of new songs and their classic hits. Francis provides good humour all round and interaction with the audience. More highlights included a rocking encore of ‘Burning Bridges’, and a medley of many of their old hits that they couldn’t fit in full rolled into one.
Would see again
max.stenner
Saw Quo at Bournemouth 9th December and what an amazing night. After years of promising ourselves to go we were not disappointed. Francis Rossi brings such energy to stage and as always has the crowd eating out of his hand.
His sense of humour and obvious enjoyment of being on stage still shines through. Bought tickets for brother as early Christmas present he said probably best Christmas present ever had. Thank you to all the group for giving us a proper show.Long may you continue.
Beales59
Fantastic Acoustic performance - 9 in the band. Rossi very much on form. Non stop hits - played 1.5 hours non stop with very little talking. Back to back music. Prefer the acoustic shows. I'd recommend both the show and the venue but not the prices inside. £9 something for a small bottle water, small Diet Coke and 2 bags of crisps. £4.50 per tub for ice cream and there was only chocolate flavour available. Take your own refreshments with you would be my advice.
christine-wadsley-cu
Fantastic night and everything you expect from the mighty Quo. What was a surprise was the amazing support act Cats in Space. They were probably the best support group I've ever seen. Downloaded their albums and I would pay just to see them in future.
Back to the Quo; as brilliant as always. Really enjoyed last year's acoustic show and sadly miss Rick. The band did a great job of carrying on and long may they continue.
To night out. Thank you Songkick.
david-shaw-67
Uriah Heep opened, and my god can they still sing and play! Those oldtimers knocked it out of the park....
Then Status Quo came in with medley after medley and just rocked it oldschool! The venue was also very well organized and everything went according to plan, because both bands were very punctual.
It was really worth it purchasing the golden circle ticket, because it wasn´t too expensive, but still very confortable and not completly full.
timm07
as i went with my partner i have been 2 times he has been 118 this band may be getting on a bit but they sure know how to rock and put on a good show starting with Caroline at 9 pm and finishing with burning bridges at 10.30 pm with lots in between amazing don't for get the warm up band cats in space a very good choice very good seats all in all 11 out of 10
garry-ware
