Magazine


Preview: Status Quo

by David Sue
1/12/2006

THERE was something rather apposite about Status Quo's cameo appearance in Coronation Street last year, when the dinosaur rockers played at Les Battersby's somewhat disastrous wedding reception.

Both band and soap are worthy of British institution status. Both entered the entertainment world 40 years ago, are adored by millions and are seemingly as comfy and familiar as a pair of old slippers.

And while some may perceive the endorsement of loudmouth Luddite Les Battersby as hardly a badge of cool, Status Quo are the sort of band who forgot about things like credibility a long, long time ago.

Still, were Status Quo ever cool to start with? Like Les Battersby himself, the Quo seem to be lodged permanently in the cultural dumping ground.

Dismissed by critics and trendier bands, not even a Radio 1 ban or singer Francis Rossi's hairweave have stopped them rockin' all over the world. Formed in 1967, Status Quo are widely perceived to be survivors, which seems rather patronising if you think about it.

Yes, there have been various band member departures, and even drug and alcohol scares but the only thing Status Quo have reallyweathered is the fickle wrath of fashion.

From early singles like Pictures Of Matchstick Men to more signature anthems like Down Down and, of course, Rockin' All Over The World, the Quo have stuck stoutly to a rock 'n' roll path which walks a fine line between greatness and drunken idiocy.

Credible or not, they're the sort of band who you'd want to kick off the best party in the world. Which, in a way, is exactly what they did when they opened the original Live Aid concert.

Last year it was announced by the Guiness Book of Records that Status Quo were the most successful UK act of all time on account of scoring an incredible 61 hit singles - yes, bettering even The Beatles and The Stones.

Meanwhile, the hip indie band Kasabian recently covered the Quo's Pictures Of Matchstick Men for a single release.

Are Status Quo finally getting their dues and being granted a cool revival?

Somewhere in the Rovers Return, Les Battersby is supping a pint of bitter, having the last, hearty laugh.

Status Quo play the MEN Arena on Friday December 8.


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