I've always banged on about Status Quo being a great rock band and a brilliant night out back in the day, and after the success of the 'Paper Plane' single and 'Piledriver' lp, they absolutely nailed it in 1973 (a mere 50 years ago) with the 'Hello!' lp and 'Caroline' single. What a time to be alive (About the only benefit of being old).
Another reason l need to win the lottery and move to a larger house. Status Quo guitarist / singer Francis Rossi has put his green Fender Telecaster up for auction with Bonhams, Knightsbridge on 17th December 2019. Rossi bought the guitar for £75 in 1968 and painted it himself, using green Ronseal, and it was the guitar most used by him during the subsequent years. Rather sadly for me, it is estimated to go for between £100,000 and £150,000, which is a bit out of my price range, especially with Christmas coming up.
For those that have the money - see here
I'm assuming the headline writer at The Northern Echo is on work experience, but the proof reader (or any sane person) should have noticed that the lead singer from Status Quo is Francis Rossi, especially as it is spelt correctly in the article underneath, and he is not exactly a unknown newcomer.
This sort of stuff really annoys me, as it makes you wonder what else they may have wrong, if something so glaringly obvious can be missed.
A short interview with Rick Parfitt and the non speaking John Coghlan of Status Quo before they played Cardiff Castle in 1976.
It's funny to hear the interviewer make such a big thing of the fact Quo had been together for 14 years, which, as he says, "Is quite unusual", and wondering how they have managed to stay together for so long. The year before, Quo had even issued a live EP featuring 'Roll Over Lay Down', 'Gerdundula', and 'Junior's Wailing' to celebrate their 13th year together.
Obviously l took the day off school to go and buy it on the day of release, as l was wont to do with bands l liked.
How times have changed. That is like looking as far back as 2002 from now. There are absolutely loads of bands who have been together since then, and many, many more who have been together a lot longer.
Here's the EP
And here's Richie Malone, Rick's replacement (due to Rick's recent heart issues), meeting him at a soundcheck in 2008, and now living the dream.
Watching old music videos on Youtube last night, l stumbled upon this fine piece of work by Rolloverlaydowndown. It's the once mighty Status Quo performing 'Big Fat Mama' from their 'Live at Glasgow Apollo' album (1976), and, as there is no official film of the gig, Mr Rollover has made one himself, and marvellous to behold it is. He's done some other good and interesting videos, but the way the album inner has been incorporated into this one is excellent.
Plus, rather like when Merry Clayton's voice cracks while singing on The Rolling Stones' 'Gimme Shelter, l love this live version, despite the odd flaw, as the song has such a full sound, and so much energy, especially when it comes back in just after the 3 minute mark.
From when Quo were great, from when l saw them loads of times, and from when Rick Parfitt was a rock god.
Get well soon Rick.
And after a quick search, here are some Status Quo items from amongst my crap.
The sticker that states l have got my tickets for the Glasgow Apollo gigs in 1976
Lewisham Odeon ticket from 1977
Newcastle City Hall ticket from 1979
Glasgow Apollo ticket from 1982
Milton Keynes ticket and pass from their last ever gig!!! !984!!!!
Damn!
Myself and others were going to go to the 'Rock on Windermere' gig this weekend to see the once mighty Status Quo, but it has been announced that Rick Parfitt has had another heart attack after a recent gig in Turkey.
Ironically, the reason we were going this weekend was that we hadn't seen Quo for years, and as they (and us) were not getting any younger, we did think that this might be the last chance to see them before they retired, or mother nature, armed with the icy hand of death, took it's toll on them (or us).
The gig is still going ahead, with Rhino's son filling in for Rick, and it sounds like Rick is making a good recovery, so it's not all doom and gloom, but my reason for going, like the proverbial dead parrot itself, has ceased to be.
Ah well - back to the football and pub, and l wish Rick a speedy recovery, and a long life.
