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.
Let's Rock
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're ready for the road it's nearly time to go
Rocking 'round the world like a band on the run
I like it, I like it, yeah we're gonna have fun
Gonna shout it from the rooftops
Gonna play it from the heart
Now it's getting to the moment when the lights go down
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock 'n' roll all night long
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock until the morning comes
Singing yeah, yeah, yeah (let's rock!)
We're gonna take it to the limit, take it to the top
Pull out all the stops and give it all we've got
Getting down, down, down, getting into the groove
Yeah, all you gotta do is shake your body and move
We're gonna shout it from the rooftops
We're gonna play it from the heart
So you better get ready when the lights go down
'Cause the party's about to start
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock 'n' roll all night long
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock until the morning comes
Singing yeah, yeah, yeah (let's rock!)
We're singing yeah, yeah, yeah
We're gonna shout it from the rooftops
We're gonna play it from the heart
So you better get ready when the lights go down
'Cause the party's about to start
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock 'n' roll all night long
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock until the morning comes
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock 'n' roll all night long
Let's rock, let's rock it
Let's rock until the morning comes
We're singing yeah, yeah, yeah (let's rock!)
We're singing yeah, yeah, yeah
Come on everybody
Let's rock, (let's rock!)
Let's rock it (let's rock it!)
Let's rock, (let's rock!)
Let's rock, (let's rock!)
Let's rock it (let's rock it!)
(Let's rock!) Come on everybody
Let's rock, (let's rock!)
Let's rock it (let's rock it!)
Let's rock, (let's rock!)
Let's rock, (let's rock!)
Let's rock it (let's rock it!)
(Let's rock!) Come on everybody
Let's rock!
The lyrics of Status Quo's Let's Rock are a call to action, inviting anyone who wants to join them on a rock and roll journey. The song is about the excitement of performing and the joy of sharing music with others. The chorus repeats the phrase "Let's rock" as an anthem, inviting listeners to join in and be a part of the experience. The lyrics encourage the listener to forget their worries and let loose, to dance and move to the music.
The first verse sets the stage for the excitement to come, with the band preparing to hit the road and travel the world. The second verse is even more upbeat, promising to take things to the limit and to give it all they've got. The song builds to a climax with the repeated chorus and ends with an invitation to everyone to come and rock with the band.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the power of music to unite people and bring them joy. It is a high-energy anthem that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out to anyone who wants to know
We are addressing anyone who is willing to listen to our message
We're ready for the road it's nearly time to go
We are eager and prepared to start our journey
Rocking 'round the world like a band on the run
We are travelling around the world playing music, living an adventurous life
I like it, I like it, yeah we're gonna have fun
We are enjoying our lifestyle and anticipate more fun to come
Gonna shout it from the rooftops
We will proudly proclaim our message to everyone
Gonna play it from the heart
We will perform music that is genuine and passionate
Now it's getting to the moment when the lights go down
The show is about to start as the lights dim
And the magic's about to start
We look forward to the enchantment and camaraderie that comes with performing music
Let's rock, let's rock it
We're encouraging everyone to participate in rock and roll music
Let's rock 'n' roll all night long
We intend to play music all night long
Let's rock until the morning comes
We intend to play until the break of dawn
Singing yeah, yeah, yeah (let's rock!)
Our excitement is high and we want everyone to join us
We're gonna take it to the limit, take it to the top
We aim to push ourselves to the fullest extent, reaching new heights
Pull out all the stops and give it all we've got
We will utilize every resource and effort to play our best
Getting down, down, down, getting into the groove
We're feeling the rhythm and are getting in sync with each other
Yeah, all you gotta do is shake your body and move
We want our audience to feel the music and let loose
So you better get ready when the lights go down
Prepare yourself for the musical experience that is to come
'Cause the party's about to start
We anticipate a lively atmosphere and intend to contribute to it
Come on everybody
We want everybody to participate and join us
Contributed by Jake P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jackhardam8577
Rick is quo....quo is Rick....brilliant voice....brilliant writing....the best rhythm guitar player on this planet....now in heaven...Rock In Peace Rick....
@alanstrom2221
Totally agree mate. I've been a fan since 1968, when as a 7 yr old I heard the piercing lead guitar opening Matchstickmen.
@alanstrom2221
Correct.
@davidrunyon5103
As a 60 year old guitar player of 50 years I cant begin to express my joy at watching and listening to the "Quo" still givin it their all and havin a good time doin it ! Thanks guys !
@adgg577
I'm only 30 years of age, but I've been the biggest Status Quo fan ever since my mate took me to Blackpool watching them when I was about 12. I've been banging their tunes out on my old Fender Telecaster ever since. I don't think I'll ever get over Rick passing away but it's awesome that we've got videos of him like this at his best. 🤘 RIP Rick!
@pariscortez3020
Rick Parfitt the Legend of Status Quo! Thank you very much Rick! Rock on in heaven!!!
@gerardvanleeuwen9456
Yeah, Rick was/is King !!
@tormodfraser3664
Best Quo song for a long, long time. Miss Rick, miss my yearly Quo gigs. All very sad. Let's Rock!
@alanstrom2221
Remember the great times with Rick and QUO!!
@ibwintherjrgensen1074
Oh, Rick, we miss you. Such a voice, such a look, such a rhytm!