Status Quo

Rock band Status Quo first formed in London in 1962 as The Scorpions. Co-founder Francis Rossi, OBE (1949-) from London, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter, has only recently had his trademark long pony-tail shorn. He is also known for his waistcoat and his green Telecaster guitar, though this, too, had to be replaced after more than 40 years’ service.

The other original members of Status Quo, as the band was named from 1967 onwards (initially as ‘The’ Status Quo), were fellow Londoners Alan Lancaster (1949-2021) on bass guitar and John Coghlan (1946-) on drums, and Surrey-born Rick Parfitt, OBE (1948-2016) on guitar. This line-up was responsible for their move from psychedelic rock, as with their very first hit, ‘Pictures of Matchstick Men’ (1968), to 12-bar boogie rock and for their string of hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, including ‘Caroline’ (1973), ‘Down Down’ (1975), ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ (1977) and ‘Whatever You Want’ (1979).

They have had more hits than any other band in the UK and have sold over 120 million records worldwide. Their uncomplicated style has drawn derision from some highfaluting critics, but this is exactly what appeals to millions of fans. ‘The Quo’ give them good-time, classic, structured, solid rock and are still touring today.

(Top image: Sven Mandel at Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0)