They began as a rock and roll freakbeat band called The Spectres. By 1967, with very little commercial success, they discovered psychedelia and changed their name to Traffic (later Traffic Jam, to avoid confusion with Steve Winwood's Traffic.) At this time the line-up also included organist Roy Lynes and drummer John Coghlan. Late in 1967 they recruited second guitarist Rick Parfitt and became The Status Quo, scoring Top 10 singles with Pictures Of Matchstick Men and Ice in The Sun. "Pictures of Matchstick Men" remains the only Top 40 hit single the group has ever charted in the United States. They have never achieved the same level of success there, that they have enjoyed in their home country.
After their second album Spare Parts they decided to change into a heavy boogie rock band. During the seventies they became one of the UK's leading rock bands, gaining a faithful following due to their excellent live gigs. They showed a great amount of energy during this decade and in the early 80s. They and are best known for songs from this era such as Paper Plane (1972), Caroline (1973), Down Down (1975), John Fogerty's Rockin' All Over The World (1977) and Whatever You Want (1979). Down Down topped the UK charts in January 1975 (their only British No. 1 single to date).
Lynes left in 1971, to be replaced initially by guest keyboard players on album, including Jimmy Horowitz and John Parker, and later on a more permanent basis on record and stage by ex-The Herd and Judas Jump member Andy Bown, though as he was contracted as a solo artist with EMI, he was not credited as a full-time member until 1982. Coghlan left in late 1981, to be replaced by Pete Kircher from 1960s band Honeybus. This short-lived lineup played its last gig in 1984 at the Milton Keynes Bowl, and reformed briefly to open the Live Aid charity event at Wembley in July 1985.
That year Rossi recorded and released two solo singles with longtime writing partner Bernie Frost. Parfitt was also working on a solo album which is still unreleased, although some tracks have been re-recorded by Status Quo and released as 'B' sides. Bass player John Edwards and drummer Jeff Rich, both ex-Judie Tzuke Band and Climax Blues Band, assisted Parfitt in the studio.
In the summer of 1985 Rossi, Parfitt and Bown, along with Edwards and Rich started work on a new album. Lancaster, who was living in Australia at the time, took out a legal injunction to stop the band using the Status Quo name on any records. The injunction was lifted after a court hearing in January 1986. Lancaster had had increasing musical differences with the group, notably during the sessions for the 1983 album Back to Back over two tracks which became hit singles for the group around that time. He had written Ol' Rag Blues, but was angered when the producers chose to release a version with Rossi singing lead vocal in preference to the one sung by himself, and he objected to Marguerita Time, which he thought unduly corny and too pop-oriented for them. He remained in Australia, forming a band called Party Boys, who had no success in Britain.
The commercially successful In The Army Now album was released in 1986, and the band continues to this day with the revised personnel. Rich left in 2000 and was replaced by Matthew Letley. Andrew Bown took a year off at the same time for family reasons and was replaced on stage by Paul Hirsh, formerly of Voyager.
According to Songfacts.com, Quo's 29th studio album, Quid Pro Quo, was released in a deluxe format exclusively at Tesco on 30 May 2011. The regular edition was released elsewhere a week later on 7th June. The LP debuted at #10 in the UK charts, the band's best chart placing for an original album since Don't Stop peaked at #2 in 1996.
Although Quo still release new material every few years, recent years have seen them release a series of greatest hits compilations and covers albums. One of the band's most recent original albums, Heavy Traffic, shows a return to classic form not seen since the late 1970s.
Status Quo have often been characterized, perhaps unfairly, as producing very simple songs, always in the same format: 4/4 rhythm, three chord structure. However, the recordings from their first decade demonstrate a diversity in musical style and complexity to rival most of the late 60s UK bands, and several of their singles and album tracks from later show considerable subtlety, not least the mainly acoustic 1979 single Living On An Island, and the 1980 album track, later a single, Rock'n'Roll, which is ironically one of the least rock'n'roll-like songs they have ever recorded.
They have a loyal group of fans in the United Kingdom, where they have enjoyed more hits than any other group in rock and roll history (over 60 as of mid-2005), as well as a big following in Europe, notably in The Netherlands.
In September 2005 a contestant on the long-running BBC television quiz programme Mastermind chose Status Quo as his specialist subject. That same year they took part in the long running ITV soap opera Coronation Street in a storyline which involved them being sued by the layabout Les Battersby.
In December 2005 it was announced that Parfitt was undergoing tests for throat cancer. All subsequent dates of the UK tour were cancelled as a result. However on 20th December it was further announced that the growths found in Parfitt's throat were benign and had been removed.
Quo have even been the subject of a Doctoral Thesis, purporting to demonstrate that their music composition skills could be favourably compared to the likes of the classical music composers, such as Beethoven!
In Autumn 2008 German techno legend Scooter released new single Jump that rock together with Status Quo.
On 1 February 2016, it was officially announced that Status Quo, in addition to the spring and summer dates already scheduled, would tour Europe starting in October. The final dates would take place in the UK towards the end of the year, after which the group would retire from playing 'electric' tours.
On 28 October 2016, Rick Parfitt permanently retired from live performances after suffering a heart attack earlier the same year. On 24 December 2017, 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 on rhythm guitar.
Dust To Gold
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the job you took for better or worse
dying in the scene from the burning cold
you turned this desert from dust to gold
Someone was born to be a beauty king
all ripping muscles when his sun-kissed skin
and getting paid for the shape I'm in
I love to sting them like a butterfly
I used to kill them for the natural high
a real hoot, such a crazy guy
another shooter hold me out to dry
Suddenly the blind man can see
suddenly the force is with me
oh Lord, to have, to hold
like dust to gold
You wouldn't ever wanna treat with me
a belt fasten and a downhill ski
no-one would touch me with a ten foot pin
'cos there was no telling where I'd been
A multi-national waste of space
by five o' clock I will be off of my face
without a single little saving grace
and yet you call me for the human race
Suddenly the blind man can see
suddenly the force is with me
oh Lord, to have, to hold
like dust to gold
We know you're watching over us
the job you took for better or worse
dying in the scene from the burning cold
you turned this desert from dust to gold
Suddenly the blind man can see
suddenly the force is with me
oh Lord, to have, to hold
like dust to gold
with me oh Lord, to have, to hold
like dust to gold
like dust to gold
like dust to gold
like dust to gold
like dust to gold
The lyrics of Status Quo's song "Dust to Gold" can be interpreted in different ways. One possible interpretation is that it is about the transformation of a person's life from negative to positive. The song's opening lines can be seen as a reference to a higher power watching over us and helping us through the struggles and challenges of life. The second verse introduces a character who is a "beauty king" and "God's gift to women." However, this person also has a dark side, being described as someone who likes to "kill them for the natural high" and is "hold me out to dry." In the chorus, the idea of transformation is emphasized, with the repeated lines "suddenly the blind man can see" and "suddenly the force is with me." This suggests a moment of realization and redemption for the character.
The final verse introduces another character who is depicted as a "multi-national waste of space" and a heavy drinker. Despite this negative portrayal, the character is still considered worthy of being part of the "human race." The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea of transformation and the possibility of turning "dust to gold."
Overall, the song's lyrics can be seen as a reflection on the potential for change and redemption in life, even when faced with difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
We know you're watching over us
Acknowledgement of someone keeping an eye on us
the job you took for better or worse
A commitment made for both good and bad times
dying in the scene from the burning cold
Suffering in the harsh realities of life
you turned this desert from dust to gold
Turning an unfavourable situation into a successful one
Someone was born to be a beauty king
Being born with the gift of good looks
all ripping muscles when his sun-kissed skin
Being in exceptional physical shape
and getting paid for the shape I'm in
Being compensated for maintaining one's appearance
God's gift to women and I knew it then
Being aware of one's attractiveness and appeal
I love to sting them like a butterfly
Taking pleasure in creating emotional pain
I used to kill them for the natural high
Acting violently for the rush of adrenaline
a real hoot, such a crazy guy
Being viewed as eccentric and unconventional
another shooter hold me out to dry
Being betrayed by someone trusted
Suddenly the blind man can see
A miraculous change in perception or understanding
suddenly the force is with me
Experiencing a newfound power or confidence
oh Lord, to have, to hold
Expressing a desire for something important
like dust to gold
Transforming something insignificant into something valuable
You wouldn't ever wanna treat with me
Being avoided due to a bad reputation
a belt fasten and a downhill ski
Living a reckless lifestyle
no-one would touch me with a ten foot pin
Being avoided because of undesirable behaviour
'cos there was no telling where I'd been
Having a history of reckless or unpredictable behaviour
A multi-national waste of space
Being deemed useless or insignificant by society
by five o' clock I will be off of my face
Indulging in alcohol or drugs to escape reality
without a single little saving grace
Having no redeeming qualities
and yet you call me for the human race
Being considered a part of humanity despite flaws
Contributed by Jeremiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
One World Music Radio
Absolutely the best Quo song for years:)
paul knight
Love this and frozen hero
Ulanbator Mongolia
Best song for years.......Love It!
Paul Duffin
I think Rhino Edwards played a big part in composing this song and having been a huge fan of Quo before Pictures of Matchstick Men had been released (really) I am so proud of Francis Rossi and Quo for this outstanding song.
I've been a hardened Lancaster, Coughlan, Parfitt, Rossi fan for the last 50yrs, enjoying their past immensely, but this is a grown up 'Quo' & amongst, if not my ultimate favourite Quo song of all time. It's magnificent!!!
Well done Rhino, well done Francis!!
Ruiseart Alcorn
I loved the old stuff and I love the later stuff. I have grown up with this band. Bands evolve. Quo has evolved, whilst retaining the original vibe. Re the line-up change - 2 are different! TWO!!! Get over it!!! This is still QUO!!! Timeless stuff!!!
Wild Heart
Well said. I also loved the older stuff, but felt that they became a bit of a parody of themselves. However, they were never, in spite of any assertions to the contrary, simply a 3 chord wonder band. A lot of their stuff is trickier and more complex than it seems at first.
This song was a breath of fresh air. It's essentially a "Quo" song, but it's chord progressions are unusual and the backing harmonies are really good.
Ulanbator Mongolia
Me too Love this album!
harrie eindhoven
Its the best of the Quo ,since the 70 and 80 ties , absolute cracking !! But listen to to the ACDC intro , For those about to rock !!!!!!!!!
Edward Pattinson
This is the kind of quo I like 👍
Teresa Ecob
good old quo loved you all this time so does my daughter keep it up