Artist of The Month December 2019 - Status Quo
Artist of the Month

Artist of The Month December 2019 – Status Quo

Artist of The Month December 2019 – Status Quo.

Status Quo are an English rock band who play boogie rock. The group originated in The Spectres, founded by Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster in 1962, while still schoolboys. After a number of lineup changes, which included the introduction of Rick Parfitt in 1967, the band became The Status Quo in 1967 and Status Quo in 1969.

They have had over 60 chart hits in the UK, more than any other rock band, including “Rocking All Over The World” in 1977, “Whatever You Want” in 1979 and “In the Army Now” in 1986 and 2010. Twenty-two of these reached the Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart. In July 1985 the band opened Live Aid at Wembley Stadium with “Rockin’ All Over the World”. In 1991, Status Quo received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

The band appeared on Top Of The Pops more than any other artist. They have released over 100 singles and 33 albums, several of which were best-sellers.

From 1977 onward, the band’s sound became more polished as they began to employ outside producers. These included Pip Williams, Roger Glover, and John Eden. Glover was the first outside producer to work with Quo since Pye’s John Schroeder in the early 1970’s, and produced “Wild Side of Life” and its B-side “All Through The Night” in 1976.

1977’s Rockin’ All Over the World’s title track, a minor hit for its writer John Fogerty (formerly of Creedence Clearwater Revival), became one of Status Quo’s most enduring anthems. Sales remained high in the UK throughout the 1980s.

Tensions within the band saw Coghlan leaving late in 1981. His replacement early the following year was Pete Kircher from the 1960s pop band Honeybus. Andy Bown joined the band in an official capacity at this time. Although contracted to record more albums, this line-up played its last full-length gig on 21 July 1984 at the Milton Keynes Bowl. “Everybody was coked-up and hating each other”, Rossi recalled, “and I’d started drinking tequila on that tour. I don’t remember that show at all – the encores or anything; just falling flat on my back at one point.” “Deciding to retire from the road – all that was about was getting Francis a solo career,” declared Lancaster. “Nobody on the outside knew it, but he didn’t want to work with me or Rick anymore.”

Artist of The Month December 2019 – Status Quo

Status Quo’s final appearance with the Kircher line-up opened the Live Aid charity event at Wembley Stadium in July 1985. That year, Rossi recorded and released two solo singles with long-time writing partner Bernie Frost. Parfitt recorded a solo album, Recorded Delivery, with bass player John “Rhino” Edwards and drummer Jeff Rich. The album remains unreleased, although some tracks were reworked and released sporadically as Quo B-sides until 1987.

On 28 October 2016, Parfitt permanently retired from live performances after suffering a heart attack earlier the same year. On 24 December, he died in hospital in Marbella, Spain as a result of severe infection, after suffering an injury to his shoulder. Parfitt’s funeral was held at Woking Crematorium on 19 January 2017. Irish guitarist Richie Malone, who had substituted for Parfitt during some 2016 live shows, took his place in the group on rhythm guitar, playing on both recorded material and at live shows. The band had to postpone a concert in June 2017 after frontman Rossi became ill.

In June 2019, Status Quo were the special guests for Lynyrd Skynyrd, on their UK farewell tour.

To celebrate the outstanding achievements of the group, Presley Collectibles are offering a 15% discount on all Status Quo memorabilia throughout December 2019. Just use the code QUO15 at the checkout 

T&Cs apply.