Status Quo
Status Quo is a British rock band that was formed in 1962 in London. The band was originally called "The Spectres" and consisted of Francis Rossi (vocals, guitar), Alan Lancaster (bass), Roy Lynes (keyboards), and John Coghlan (drums). Over the years, the band underwent various line-up changes, with Rossi and Lancaster being the only members to have remained in the band throughout its history.
Status Quo rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a string of hits that included "Pictures of Matchstick Men", "Ice in the Sun", and "Down Down". The band's sound was characterized by a hard-driving, boogie-rock style that was heavily influenced by the blues. They were known for their energetic live performances and often played in a "heads down" position, with their hair covering their faces.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Status Quo continued to release hit albums and singles, including "Caroline", "Rockin' All Over the World", and "Whatever You Want". They also became known for their appearances on the UK music show "Top of the Pops", where they often performed in matching denim outfits.
Despite the passing of several members over the years, Status Quo continues to tour and record new music to this day, with Rossi and Lancaster being joined by newer members. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide and are considered one of the most successful rock bands in British history.
The Scorpions /
The Spectres (1962 - 1967)
- Francis Rossi - guitar/vocals - b. May 29, 1949,
London,
England.
- Richard Parfitt - guitar/vocals - b. Rick
Harrison, October
12, 1948, Woking, England - formerly with The Highlights.
- Alan Lancaster - bass - b. February 7, 1949, London,
England.
- Roy Lynes - keyboards
- John Coghlan - drums - b. September 19, 1946,
London,
England.
Released two singles. Changed name to Traffic Jam.
Traffic Jam (1967)
- Francis Rossi - guitar/vocals
- Alan Lancaster - bass
- Roy Lynes - keyboards
- John Coghlan - drums
Released one single. Changed name to Status Quo.
Status Quo I (1967 - 1970)
- Francis Rossi - guitar/vocals
- Richard Parfitt - guitar/vocals
- Alan Lancaster - bass
- Roy Lynes - keyboards
- John Coghlan - drums
Albums:
- "Picturesque
Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo" (1968) -
Singles: "Pictures Of Matchstick Men"
and "Ice In The Sun"
- "Spare
Parts" (1968)
- "Status Quotation" (1969)
Status Quo II (1970 - 1981)
- Francis Rossi - guitar/vocals
- Richard Parfitt - guitar/vocals
- Alan Lancaster - bass
- John Coghlan - drums
Albums:
- "Ma
Kelly's Greasy Spoon" (1970)
- "Dog
of Two Head" (1971)
- "Piledriver"
(1973)
- "Hello!"
(1974) - Single: "Caroline"
- "Quo"
(1974)
- "On
The Level" (1975)
- "Status Quo" (1976)
- "Blue
For You" (1976)
- "Live"
(2-CDs) (1977)
- "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (1977)
- "Rockin'
All Over The World" (1977)
- "If
You Can't Stand The Heat..." (1978)
- "In My Chair" (1979)
- "Whatever
You Want" (1979)
- "Mean Girl" (1979)
- "Just for the Record" (1979)
- "Just
Supposin'" (1980)
John Coghlan forms Diesel.
Status Quo III (1981 - 1983)
- Francis Rossi - guitar/vocals
- Richard Parfitt - guitar/vocals
- Alan Lancaster - bass
- Pete Kircher - drums - formerly with Original
Mirrors.
Albums:
- "Never
Too Late" (1981)
- "Rock 'n' Roll" (1982)
- "1+9+8+2" (1982)
- "To Be Or Not To Be" (1983)
- "Back to Back" (1983)
- "Live At The NEC"
(live) (1984)
Status Quo IV (1983 - ? )
- Francis Rossi - guitar/vocals
- Richard Parfitt - guitar/vocals
- John Edwards - bass
- Andy Brown - keyboards - formerly with The Herd
and Judas Jump.
- Jeff Rich - drums
Albums:
- "In
the Army Now" (1986)
- "Ain't Complaining" (1988)
- "Rock
'Til You Drop" (1991)
- "Live Alive Quo"
(live) (1992)
- "Under The Influence"
(1999)
- "Famous In The Last
Century" (2000)
- "Heavy Traffic"
(2003)
- "Riffs" (2003)
- "The
Party Ain't Over Yet..." (2005)
Compilations:
- "Best
of Status Quo" (1972)
- "12 Gold Bars"
(1980)
- "Vol. 2 - 12 Gold Bars"
(1983)
- "The Essential Status
Quo, Vol. 1" (1999)
- "The Essential Status
Quo, Vol. 2" (1999)
- "The Essential Status
Quo, Vol. 3" (2000)
- "The Singles Collection
1966-1973" (2-CDs) (2001)
- "Greatest Hits & More"
(2003)
- "Ultimate Collection"
(3-CDs) (2003)
- "Whatever You Want: The
Best Of Status Quo" (2-CDs) (2003)
- "The Complete Pye
Collection" (3-CD box set) (2004)
- "XS All Areas"
(2-CDs) (2004)
Links:
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Last Revised: September 9, 2005
© 2005 by Gary S. Hartman. All
rights
reserved.
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