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Main event: Status Quo
Conrad Astley9/12/2005
PROOF of Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi's special place in the
nation's heart was hardly necessary.
But earlier this year, that proof was dramatically provided.
When Sir Bob Geldof, Bono, and other leading music industry figures
organised the Live8 concert, there was a national outcry because
the denim-clad rockers - who opened Live Aid in 1985 with Rocking
All Over The World - had not been invited.
A national tabloid launched "the Quo must go on" campaign, and the
chorus was joined by broadcasters Terry Wogan, Chris Tarrant and
Johnny Vaughan.
Sir Bob eventually bowed to pressure, but it was too late.
The boys had already been booked to play in Ireland that night, so
would only be able to perform within the first hour - a slot that
wasn't available.
"We made ourselves available to do it, but on the promise that we
went on early" Rick explained.
"We wanted to open it with Rocking All Over The World, that
would've been fantastic.
"They gave us a later spot but we said we couldn't do it. We just
forgot about it and that was that.
"It was a great call and it was very heart warming to see the
British public get behind us. But we didn't lose any sleep over
it."
The band had another triumph this year when they made a cameo
appearance in Coronation Street.
The storyline involved them taking a breather from their hectic
touring schedule to have a pint in the Rovers.
Waster Les Battersby, who idolised "the mighty Quo" rushed to meet
his heroes, only to be punched by Rossi who claimed the layabout
was responsible for a neck injury he had suffered from since a gig
in the 70s.
However, the good sports later resolved the matter by agreeing to
play at his wedding to Cilla - again with disastrous
consequences.
"Bruce Jones, who plays Les, has been a fan for a long time" said
Rick. "He always comes to see us.
"We asked him if we could have a cameo part, even if it's just
appearing in the background at the Rovers.
"We never thought it'd come off, and we just laughed our heads off
when we read the script.
"It was one of the most incredible things we've ever done. I was
really sad when it was all over.
"Coronation Street's been part of my life - every time you turn the
TV on for the past 25 years you can't help but watch it. It was
great, because it was two British institutions coming together -
Coronation Street and the Quo. We've been around for 85 years
between us."
Appearing in the nation's favourite soap and turning down an
invitation from Bob Geldof may be a career topping achievement for
most bands, but it's a different matter when you're Status
Quo.
The band, formed by the pair in 1967 - two years after they met at
a Butlin's holiday camp - will have played 120 shows this year by
Christmas.
They see 70 gigs a year as a bit lazy, and say they've already had
dates booked up in 2007.
Now in his late 50s, Rick says he's unlikely to call it a
day.
"I can envisage giving up," he said. "But I think if I did turn
around and say that I'd be committing mental suicide. There'd be a
huge void in my life if I didn't do this.
"It's taken up so much of my life. You become two people - you're
one person that sits around watching TV and going to the pub, and
then there's another bloke who goes out on the road and becomes a
rock star.
"And it would be stupid, with the success that we've had, to walk
away from it. You go to a party every night for your job - it's not
a bad life.
"Obviously you get used to it but there's still something that
happens when you get that 10 minute call. Something kicks in, the
adrenaline starts pumping and it all bursts into life."
You'd have thought playing for that long would mean all the cities
would roll into one, but Parfitt says Manchester is one that always
sticks out.
"Manchester is a great gig" he said. "The Apollo is a fantastic
venue. From the stage you can look out and see everyone enjoying
themselves. It's big enough to be a great rock venue, but small
enough to have a great atmosphere.
"You can play these huge 11,000 capacity venues, but there's
something about that place that's just special."
Status Quo's Apollo date on Tuesday has been cancelled due
to Parfitt's illness, it was announced on Friday.
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