Mention the band name 'Status Quo' to the average Australian music fan and their immediate response would often be one of the following: Status who? Are they still together? I remember them, or aren't they the band that play only three cords? Have things changed in years gone by in Australia for Status Quo. During their peak in Australia things were very different for the band. Five Australian tours and numerous gold records in the '70s is a great accomplishment. Many unanswered questions remain, as to why the almost complete cessation of Quo's music being played in this country, need to be answered. Whatever happened to that good time boogie sound that gets to the very core of your inner most musical soul?
In Europe however, the story today rings a different bell. Speaking from personal experience, with having travelled from Melbourne to London only eight months ago, to attend seven, (worth every dollar) Quo concerts, Quo still runs in many a European vein. There is proof shown by record sales and ticket sales for concerts where thousands of devoted fans line up in sheer anticipation waiting to see and hear their beloved Quo. For those of you who may not have kept up with, what a totally biased fan would refer to as being the best band ever, you have missed out on a lot of wasted quality music listening time.
The following is a journey through the life of the band 'Status Quo' to date and of its members past and present.
1962
'The Scorpions' was the first chosen name for 'Status Quo'. The original and founding members were Francis Rossi (guitar/vocals) and Alan Lancaster (bass/vocals) who were joined by Alan Key (guitar). Francis and Alan gave life to 'Status Quo' when they decided as teenagers, to form a band. The original line up soon changed with Jess Jaworski (organ) Barry Smith (percussion) and John Coghlan (drums) who all joined at different times in 1962. Along with the new line up came a new name: 'The Spectres'.
From 1962 until 1965 The Spectres line up was to change again. All members were to remain the same except for John Rushden (guitar) replacing Barry Smith. This new line up were influenced by bands such as The Shadows, Tornados, Spotnik and The Searchers. Their first professional gig was to be at 'Samuel Jones Sports Club' in Dulwich, England.
1965
April 1965, saw yet another change in the line up. This time Roy Lynes (organ/vocals) replaced John Rushden. This was the year that many Status Quo fans would say is of major significance. It was to be the year of the beginning of a long time friendship between Francis Ross and Richard Parfitt. Butlins Holiday Camp at Minehead, England, was the place where these two extraordinary men would meet. Francis was at Bulins with Alan and John performing with The Spectres and Richard was there performing with his group, The Highlights. The Highlights also consisted of twin sisters, Jean and Gloria Harrison. A friendship that would see Status Quo through the good and bad times had evolved.
1966
Picadilly Records signed 'The Spectres' up on a five year contract with the help of their first manager, gas fitter, Pat Barlow. Unfortunately, their first two releases were unsuccessful.
1967
Still another name change for the band but with the same members. This time to 'Traffic' and then almost simultaneously to 'Traffic Jam'.
'The Status Quo' was to be the name of the band before Richard Parfitt joined towards the end of 1967.
1968
January saw the release of the single Pictures of Matchstick Men which would reach number seven in the U.K. charts and remain there for twelve weeks. Their follow up single Black Veils of Melancholy would join their first two releases to become unsuccessful. A second hit, Ice In The Sun, saw The Status Quo, back in the charts reaching number eight. Their first official album was released after the release of Ice In The Sun, entitled Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from The Status Quo.
1969 - 1970
1969 was also a significant year in Quo's history. It saw the complete physical change in the band. They had decided to dispense with the frilly shirts they had been told to wear for marketing purposed, and pulled on the old denims that Quo are synonymous for today. Along with the change in attire, came the 'THE' being dropped from the bands name, as well as a new sound, one of a harder rock. Two albums would be released during this time along with singles that would do well. Roy Lynes left the band in September, 1970.
1971 - 1972
Before changing record companies in 1971, Quo released Dog of Two Head with Pye. Vertigo was to become Quo's new record label in 1972. The main reason for the change being that Pye were not into hard rock. Along with this came a couple of major rock concerts that would see Quo beginning to receive well earned acknowledgment in the music industry.
1973
For Australians, this was to be our first glimpse of Quo when they toured with Slade. The other triumphant feat for Quo was the release of the Hello album which reached number one.
1974
Down Down would be Quo's first and only number one hit single to date. The self-titled album Quo was released and along with this came Quo's first official British tour.
1975
Another major concert gig was at the Great British Music Festival, as well as a follow up number one album, On the Level, making this another triumphant year.
1976
Andrew Bown (keyboards/harmonica/vocals) joins Quo as a guest performer until he becomes a permanent member of the band.
1977
The sell out 'Rockin All Over The World' tour begins this year. The album and single of the same name (originally written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival) would conincide with the tour and both do well for Quo.
1978
Australian Quo fans would not see their beloved band play until July, when a grand total of thiry concerts would be played over the country. The opening concert was at the Newcastle Civic Theatre on July 18th, and the final concert was at Melbourne's Festival Hall on August 17th.
Sadly, this would be the last tour Status Quo would make down under, and although there has been speculation as to the reason why they have not toured since, to many Australian fans, has always remained a mystery.
1979
Another huge European tour takes place as well as the release of Whatever You Want, which begins with one of Quo's most renowned opening riffs.
1980
There would not be an offical tour this year, but the Just Supposin album was released as well as a compilation album, 12 Gold Bars.
1981
The last two years were relatively quiet for Quo, with record releases being the major task for the band, but quieter times did not last as the first major tour for a couple of years was to take place. Along with concert ticket demands, came an award for Quo. They were presented with the 'Silver Clef Award' for services to the music industry.
1982
John Coghlan leaves as Quo's drummer and is replaced by Peter Kircher. Quo celebrate their 20th Anniversary and play a charity concert for Prince Charles' trust fund. Prince Charles attended the concert which was held at the NEC in Birmingham.
1983
A quiet year, with the release of Back to Back and Live at the NEC.
1984
This was a year that would be a sad but memorable one for Quo devotees. The band announced the 'End of the Road' tour in collaroration of their disbandment from touring which would end a chapter in rock history. Their number one video of the same name would become the quickest moving video to reach such a status!
1985
The worlds renowned 'Live Aid' concert takes place, and who better to begin the event with Rockin' All Over the World, the song that would become the theme song for this monster charity concert event. This event was also significant as it marked the restart of Quo's life. Live Aid had given the band the realisation that they still wanted to play their music and so took up where they had left off the previous year.
The other major event this year was to be the departure of one of the original members of Quo. Due to disputes over the type of music played by the band and other problems that had arisen between them, Alan Lancaster left Quo.
1986
For many Quo fans this was the year that saw the band reborn. John 'Rhino' Edwards (bass guitar/vocals) and Jeff Rich (drums) both ex members of 'The Climax Blues' band would join Quo and with Francis Ross, Richard Parfitt and Andy Bown, would make the current line up that we see today. With the new line up, some saying the best Quo have ever had, the band embarked on an enormous European tour. This year saw the band release their first album, In The Army Now, with the new line up.
1987
Status Quo would appear at the Reading Festival in England and would continue touring throughout Europe.
1988
The album 'Ain't Complainin' was released, and Quo also changed their mega song 'Rockin All Over The World' to 'Running All Over The World', which was to be used as the theme song for a charity event "Sports Aid".
1989
Along with the new line up, Quo would also find new management. A sell out series of concerts also took place in Moscow.
1990
Butlins camp at Minehead, was to be the venue of Quo's 25th Anniversary celebrations. The anniversary celebrated the first meeting of the current members Francis Ross and Richard Parfitt.
1991
This year would be a remarkable one for Quo as they achieved numerous acknowledgments beginning with their entry into the 'Guiness Book of Records' for the 'Rock 'til You Drop' tour. The tour saw the band perform four different concerts throughout the U.K. in less than twelve hours.
Still touring this year with the likes of Rod Stewart, Quo also made their mark to become immortally waxed at Madame Tausauds Rock Circus in London and if all this wasn't enough for one band to endure in one year, Quo also received the ultimate recognition at not one, but two major music award celebrations. The first at the British Music awards where they would receive an award for Outstanding Contribution to the British Music Industry, and the second being at the World Music Awards where they received and award for Outstanding Contribution to the Rock Industry.
1993
'Just for the Record', an autobiography, was published this year. Francis Rossi and Richard Parfitt talk about their personal lives and their life with Quo. In conjunction with the book, the 'Just for the Record' British tour takes place in November/December.
1994
Status Quo now do an annual tour of Britain in November/December with tours of other European countries during the rest of the year.
The long awaited release of Thirsty Work takes place in August.
1995
The first single was release from Quo's forthcoming album. The now traditional annual British winter tour would also take place.
1996
February 5th, the date that Quo's cover album Don't Stop, is released in the U.K. and literally flies up the charts reaching number 2, then stays in the top 20 for some weeks. A video of the same title is also released as well as singles from the album. Plans are under way for the 1996 annual British tour which is celebration of Francis Rossi and Richard Parfitt's 30th anniversary.
So we have come to the end of our journey, but not to the 'End of the Road'. For those of you who will have read this, regardless if you are a current fan of Quo's or one that has lost touch over the years, you will see that the endurance Quo have sustained is nothing short of spectacular. The band has in the past and still has to contend with ongoing criticism, from critics and the like, that know nothing about determination, courage and staying power. Fans of Status Quo love the band not only for what they have contributed to the music industry, but for their determination to succeed in becoming 'ROCK LEGENDS', and making their mark in rock history. On behalf of Quo fans throughout the world, I would like to thank Status Quo for being a big part of our lives and especially to Mr. Francis Rossi for his belief in himself and his music and for letting us be a part of all that he gives to us as Quo fans.