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.
Rock & Roll
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Praying near or far too many
Times should have known
It can loose you all sleep at night
12 five blues is now alright
Now it's up to you
Try and find the reason to
Rock 'n' Roll and every song
It's Rock 'n' Roll and Rock and Rock 'n' Roll
It's Rock 'n' Roll and Rock keeps rollin' on
Waiting on a time to find radio play "Oh Caroline"
They say you get there in the end
We can bright, we can bright, what we sighted, what we sighted, what we
Sighted,
Makes a difference in the end
Rushing always in a hurry
And try to give it up
Everything we do is running
It's never good enough
It can loose you all sleep at night
12 five blues is now alright
Now it's up to you
Try and find the reason to
Rock 'n' Roll and every song
Rock 'n' Roll and everyone
It's Rock 'n' Roll and Rock and Rock 'n' Roll
It's Rock 'n' Roll and Rock keeps rollin' on
Waiting on a time to find radio play "Oh Caroline"
They say you get there in the end
We can bright, we can bright, what we sighted, what we sighted, what we
Sighted,
Makes a difference in the end
The lyrics to Status Quo's song "Rock & Roll" convey a sense of longing for connection and recognition within the music industry. The singer reflects on the struggles and sacrifices made in pursuit of a successful career in rock and roll. The lines "For me to be alone, praying near or far too many times should have known" suggest a feeling of isolation and the realization that perhaps the sacrifices made have not yielded the desired results.
The mention of "12 five blues" refers to the hardships and challenges faced along the way, which are now seen as acceptable or even necessary. The lyrics also touch on the theme of perseverance and the need to find a reason to keep going, even when faced with obstacles. The repetition of "Rock 'n' Roll and every song, Rock 'n' Roll and everyone" emphasizes the centrality of music and the desire for it to continue and thrive.
The mention of "Oh Caroline" and waiting for radio play signifies the longing for recognition and success within the music industry. The lyrics convey the belief that eventually, with dedication and perseverance, one can reach their desired destination. The line "We can bright, what we sighted, what we sighted, what we sighted, makes a difference in the end" suggests that staying focused and true to oneself can bring about a positive outcome in the long run.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rock & Roll" convey the struggles, persistence, and hope that musicians often experience on their journey to success, sending a message to keep pushing forward despite the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
For me to be alone
I find solace in solitude
Praying near or far too many
Engaging in prayer regardless of distance
Times should have known
There were indications that I should have recognized
It can loose you all sleep at night
It has the power to steal away your sleep at night
12 five blues is now alright
The blues can be overcome and accepted
Now it's up to you
The responsibility lies with you now
Try and find the reason to
Attempt to discover the purpose behind
Rock 'n' Roll and every song
The essence of rock and roll music, and all songs in general
Rock 'n' Roll and everyone
Rock and roll is inclusive, for everyone
It's Rock 'n' Roll and Rock and Rock 'n' Roll
The continuous cycle of rock and roll's influence and energy
It's Rock 'n' Roll and Rock keeps rollin' on
Rock and roll persists and continues to thrive
Waiting on a time to find radio play "Oh Caroline"
Anticipating the moment when the song gets airtime on the radio
They say you get there in the end
It is said that eventually you will achieve your goal
We can bright, we can bright, what we sighted, what we sighted, what we Sighted
We have the ability to illuminate and comprehend what we have witnessed
Makes a difference in the end
In the end, it has a significant impact
Rushing always in a hurry
Always in a rush, in a constant hurry
And try to give it up
Attempting to relinquish it
Everything we do is running
All our actions are in motion
It's never good enough
It never meets the standard of satisfaction
Waiting on a time to find radio play "Oh Caroline"
Anticipating the moment when the song gets airtime on the radio
They say you get there in the end
It is said that eventually you will achieve your goal
We can bright, we can bright, what we sighted, what we sighted, what we sighted
We have the ability to illuminate and comprehend what we have witnessed
Makes a difference in the end
In the end, it has a significant impact
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Francis Rossi, Bernard Frost
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Skin 1964
Such an underrated song. Never hear it on the radio - Shame, great song.
Phil Jones
Loved this song when I was a young lad in the 80's,had it on single,played it over and over,good memories.
david povey
RIP Alan Lancaster
GinoGiovanni Feliciello
Memories of the early '80s, when rock ruled the planet
Andreas Waldschmitt
Rock.......🤣🤣🤣🤣
Bluey G
I kept my 7" of this immaculate, despite the fragile sleeve! It gets played every Christmas, to me this reminds me of Christmas '81 :)
R W
I was 16. My life was great then. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could.
Gavin Agus
I was 9 years old. I remember getting the 7 “ single for Christmas. Played constantly 👍👍🥰
Simon Gauci
Yep… always reminds me of Christmas 1981, the heavy snow we had and whizzing around on my BMX
0utcastAussie
I was just about to say "For some reason this always reminds me of xmas" ?