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.
Junior's Wailing
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said love me baby, love me when I'm down
Yeah you gotta love me baby
'cause there's no use hanging around
I said put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun
I said put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun
Yeah, you gotta love me woman
Love me baby, love me when I'm down
Oh, love, love me baby, love me when I'm down
Yeah you gotta love me baby
'cause there's no use hanging around
Put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun
I said, put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun
You gotta love me woman
'cause my life has just begun
Love me baby, love me when I'm down
Oh, love, love, love me baby, love me when I'm down
You gotta love me baby
'cause there's no use hanging around, around, around, yeah
Love me baby, love me when I'm down
Love me baby, love me when I'm down
Oh you gotta love me baby
'cause there's no use hanging around
The lyrics of Status Quo's famous track "Junior's Wailing" speaks about the need for love and support during difficult times. The singer pleads with his lover to love him even when he is going through a difficult phase. He emphasizes the need for her to stay by his side and be his support system. The simile, "put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun," is a beautiful way of expressing the importance of holding on to one’s partner tightly and being there for them through thick and thin.
The repeated use of 'love me baby' conveys the singer's desperation for love and attention. The phrase "my life has just begun" is indicative of the singer's belief that he needs love and support to move forward and find meaning in life. The lyrics also highlight the futility of "hanging around" without love and support.
Overall, "Junior's Wailing" speaks to everyone’s need for love and support, especially during difficult times. It’s a reminder that we all need someone to stand by our side and support us as we navigate life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Love me baby, love me when I'm down
Affirm your love to me, even when I am feeling low
I said love me baby, love me when I'm down
I am emphasizing my need for love even when I am feeling down
Yeah you gotta love me baby
Your love is crucial to me and I need it dearly
'cause there's no use hanging around
Without your love, I see no reason to continue in this relationship
I said put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun
Hold me close, like the sun embraces a sunbeam
Yeah, you gotta love me woman
I need your love, dear woman
'cause my life has just begun
Your love makes me feel alive and hopeful for the future
Oh, love, love me baby, love me when I'm down
My need for love remains, even when I am feeling low
Put your arms around me like a sunbeam round the sun
Hold me tight, like the sun holds a sunbeam
You gotta love me woman
I need you to love me, dear woman
'cause my life has just begun
Your love makes me feel like my life has just started
Oh, love, love, love me baby, love me when I'm down
My need for love remains constant, even when I hit rock bottom
'cause there's no use hanging around, around, around, yeah
Without your love, I feel like there's no point in staying in this relationship
Oh you gotta love me baby
Your love is crucial to me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KIERAN RAYMOND WHITE, MARTIN JOHN PUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alan Strom
ALAN CHARLES LANCASTER otherwise known as NUFF, has passed away in Sydney, his home for 45 years.
The founding member and the backbone of STATUS QUO had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for many years.
Alan battled on bravely, performing at QUO's Reunion gigs in 2013 and 2014.
Even though he had MS, Alan's performance and his vocals were the strongest of the three.
My favourite member of QUO is Alan Lancaster.
I had the pleasure of having a beer and a smoke with Alan at a Sydney pub gig, in Five Dock, when he had The Lancaster Bombers and The Lancaster/Brewster Bands in the late 80's.
We had a longer chat at The Lewisham Hotel as well.
These were dirty, grungy hotels, though this didn't phase the great man of the people.
Alan was the most beautifil man, very humble, down to earth and a great guy to talk with and have a laugh.
Vale Alan ( Nuff ) Lancaster
RIP mate, you were one of the greatest Rockers of all time.
Billie Beattie
This is the nuts, bloody brilliant, glad they got to do this before Rick passed away. Frantic Four forever , Quo at its very best 🤟🏻
John RAMBO
@wreckerman Yes, very sad news :-(
wreckerman
@John RAMBO And now we say bye to Alan Lancaster R.I.P.
John RAMBO
Yes you are so right my friend !!! So sad Rick passed away !!! RIP "Mr Rythm" :-(
Hammers Fan
There was always only ever one Quo...
Rossi, Parfitt,Lancaster and coghlin
Simple 🤘🤘
Dennis M
Amen to that
Stewart Nicol
Coghlan...❤️🙏
Steve Kaye
As soon as it starts you can tell the difference..the sound is incredible, real quo, proper quo..
Steve Kaye
@Shaun Kelly none at all...the live sound now is too digital and clean
Shaun Kelly
No comparison with panto quo is there? Different league.