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.
Medley: Roadhouse Medley
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where pretty girls are well you know that I'm around
I kiss 'em and I love 'em ''cause to me their all the same
I hug 'em and I squeeze them, they don't even know my name
They call me the Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round
Well there's Flo on my left and there's Mary on my right
And when she asks me which one I love the best
I'll tear open my shirt and show them Rosie on my chest
'Cause I'm a Wanderer, yeah a Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round
Well I roam from town to town
I go through life without a care
And I'm as happy as a clown
With my two fists of iron I'm goin' nowhere
Well I'm the type of guy that likes to roam around
I'm never in one place I roam from town to town
And when I find myself falling for some girl
Well I hop right into that car of mine and drive around the world
''cause I'm a Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round and round and round
Well I roam from town to town
I go through life without a care
And I'm as happy as a clown
With my two fists of iron I'm goin' nowhere
Well I'm the type of guy that likes to roam around
I'm never in one place I roam from town to town
And when I find myself falling for some girl
Well I hop right into that car of mine and drive around the world
''cause I'm a Wanderer, yeah a Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round
They call me the Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round and round and round
They call me the Wanderer, they call me the Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round
They call me a Wanderer, yeah a Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round and round and round
They call me the Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer
I roam around and round and round and round and round
'Cause I'm a Wanderer..
"Medley: Roadhouse Medley" by Status Quo is a combination of songs including "The Wanderer" by Dion and the Belmonts. The lyrics of "The Wanderer" are about a man who likes to wander around and have fun with different women. He describes how he is always on the move, never settling down and never letting himself get attached to any particular person. He enjoys being a free spirit, enjoying life carefree and living it on his own terms. The chorus of the song repeats the lyrics "I'm a wanderer" several times, as a way of emphasizing how he loves to live his life.
The song is an upbeat, rock and roll classic that has been well-received by audiences for decades. It showcases Dion's distinctive voice, which conveys the spirit of the wanderer rather well. The lyrics and tempo of the song encourage the listener to get up and dance or sing along, creating a fun atmosphere. The song is a catchy classic and has remained popular through the ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm the type of guy who will never settle down
I am a restless person who will never stay in one place for long.
Where pretty girls are well you know that I'm around
I am always present wherever attractive girls can be found.
I kiss 'em and I love 'em ''cause to me their all the same
I carelessly indulge in superficial romantic encounters because I do not view women as individuals with unique qualities and personalities.
I hug 'em and I squeeze them, they don't even know my name
I engage in physical affection with these women without even sharing my name with them, treating them as if they are disposable objects rather than human beings.
They call me the Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer
My reputation precedes me and I am known as the Wanderer, a perpetual traveler with a restless spirit.
I roam around and round and round and round and round
I continuously move from place to place, never allowing myself to settle down in one location for an extended period of time.
Well there's Flo on my left and there's Mary on my right
I actively seek out and engage with multiple women at the same time, choosing to enjoy the company of Flo and Mary simultaneously.
But Janie is the girl, well, that I'll be with tonight
Despite having multiple options, I have chosen to spend this particular evening with Janie.
And when she asks me which one I love the best
Janie is curious about my feelings towards the other women present.
I'll tear open my shirt and show them Rosie on my chest
To prove my loyalty to the women, I disclose that Rosie, someone they are not aware of, is the one I truly care about.
'Cause I'm a Wanderer, yeah a Wanderer
My restless spirit and desire to constantly move from place to place make me a Wanderer.
I roam around and round and round and round and round
I continue to move from location to location, circling the globe in pursuit of new experiences and women.
Well I roam from town to town
I travel extensively, never remaining in one place for long.
I go through life without a care
I live my life in a carefree manner, prioritizing my own desires over the needs of others.
And I'm as happy as a clown
Despite the lack of depth and meaning in my lifestyle, I remain content and joyful.
With my two fists of iron I'm goin' nowhere
Despite my wanderlust and intrepid nature, my current lifestyle is unfulfilling and stagnant.
I'm never in one place I roam from town to town
I enjoy experiencing new places and environments, consistently traveling to different towns and cities.
Well I hop right into that car of mine and drive around the world
When I feel myself becoming too attached to a certain place or person, I flee, utilizing my car to explore new places around the world.
They call me the Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer
Despite the negative connotations associated with my lifestyle, I continue to embrace my reputation as a Wanderer.
I roam around and round and round and round and round and round and round
My continuous movement and restless spirit allow me to explore the world and experience new things, but also prevent me from ever truly settling down.
They call me a Wanderer, yeah a Wanderer
My incessant traveling and refusal to remain in one place have earned me the nickname of Wanderer.
They call me the Wanderer, they call me the Wanderer
My lifestyle of endless movement and casual relationships has given me a reputation as the Wanderer.
I roam around and round and round and round and round
My endless travels and desire to experience everything the world has to offer keeps me constantly in motion, circling around and around.
Well I'm the type of guy that likes to roam around
I am naturally a free-spirited person who enjoys exploring new places and pushing boundaries.
'Cause I'm a Wanderer..
My reputation as a Wanderer defines me, as I continue to fulfill my desire for adventure and new experiences.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ernie Maresca
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheMWCmusic
This has got to be one of the BEST performances of RHB. And adding other songs into it was awesome!!
@rockdinosaur666
Apart from the dirge Margarita Time!! This was definitely the start of the end of the once mighty Quo when they started writing pop crap like that.
@johnburgess2929
OMG blows me away every time I play this. The lads at their best. Rock on boys.
@stephenmcconway4894
I’d forgotten how awesome this set was! Absolutely outstanding 👏👏👏
@fredi639
jamas escuche esta actuacion, increible y gran emocion
@stephenmurray5682
The most perfect quo performance ever, makes me shake how incredible they were live ….
@roblincoln8339
the only way that you could say that is if you never saw the Quo live with Alan & John
@kellyfinch5257
@Rob Lincoln sorry the original line up were boring as hell
@jacquelinebrown7539
I have seen both lineups.the original frantic 4 were incredible,live , but this melody is so fucking good Live too my friend…
@CB-xr1eg
@@jacquelinebrown7539 It's a medley not a melody Look the word up sometime.