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.
I Love Rock and Roll
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know what I'm living for
'Cause that's all I wanna do
Keep right on rocking you
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll
Bebopalula, rock around the clock
You may or may not know
But you'll never rock alone
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll, yes I do
And I'm a ready teddy, ready to rock
And I'm a ready teddy, ready to roll
Come on, let's all shout it out aloud
I love rock and roll
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll, yes I do
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll, yes I do
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll, yes I do
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll, yes I do
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
I love rocking you
The lyrics of “I Love Rock and Roll” by Status Quo express the deep passion and love for the genre of rock and roll. The song highlights the joy and excitement that rock and roll music brings to the singer's life, evident in the opening verse, "When I'm playing my old guitar, I know what I'm living for." It is clear from the beginning that the singer is deeply devoted to rock and roll, and it has a special place in their heart and soul. The chorus reinforces this message, as the singer declares, "I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul."
The second verse draws on classic rock and roll references, invoking the names of iconic musicians and songs like "Bye bye Johnny" and "Bebopalula, rock around the clock." The lyrics suggest that while the audience may or may not be familiar with these references, they will never be alone in their love for rock and roll. The song ultimately calls on listeners to join in, shouting "Come on, let's all shout it out aloud, I love rock and roll." The lyrics emphasize that rock and roll is a communal experience that brings people together and creates a shared sense of excitement and energy.
In summary, "I Love Rock and Roll" is a celebration of the joy and passion that rock and roll music brings to the singer's life. The song expresses a deep love for the genre and a desire to share that love with others.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm playing my old guitar
I find purpose and joy in playing music
I know what I'm living for
Music is my reason for living
'Cause that's all I wanna do
All I want to do is play music
Keep right on rocking you
I want to keep playing music for you
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
Music is a fundamental part of who I am
I love rocking you, I love rock and roll
I love playing music for and with others
Bye bye, Johnny, I'm all shook up
I am deeply moved by the music of the past
Bebopalula, rock around the clock
I appreciate the style and energy of early rock and roll
You may or may not know
Others may not share my love of rock and roll
But you'll never rock alone
I am not alone in my love of rock and roll
And I'm a ready teddy, ready to rock
I am eager and enthusiastic to play music
And I'm a ready teddy, ready to roll
I am ready and willing to perform and enjoy rock and roll
Come on, let's all shout it out aloud
Let's celebrate our shared love of rock and roll
I love rock and roll
I have a deep and abiding love for this genre of music
I love rock and roll in my heart and in my soul
My passion for rock and roll is part of my identity
I love rocking you
I find great joy in playing music for others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Duffin
I totally love this Alan Lancaster Composition! Played so tightly by mssrs Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster, new drummer (as of 1982) Pete Kirscher.
Wasn't Alan just the best Bass Player Ever on this track. It's a magnificent Song; very well done Nuff. Could it have been a single for them perhaps; if launched at the right time it could have brought Quo an even greater Fan Base.
Also one of Francis Rossi's Best Guitar Solo's... Such a great all round Song. Quo at their Best!!!!
Dean Stanley
Pete kircher
Michael
Paul Duffin Kircher
Guitarzan
Alan Lancaster is going full HAM on that bass guitar, damn 💪😎
Tomas Alarcon de Castro
Muy Buena Canción
roob
Very Lennon. Love Alan Lancaster, always added an extra dimension to the band. His bass sound always seems so fat and warm too.
Harry Pe
Thank you Alan for your music..💔😍🎸😩
Klaus Brehme
I LOVE ROCK'N ROLL AND MY CHRISTIAN OCCIDENT! KEEP IT FOREVER!
Frank Raw
Written and sung by Alan Lancaster. Forever Rock and rest in Peace.
Chris Dakin
Great track....lovely homage to the Beatles at the end!