If you want to bring Status Quo briefly to the point, a single song title is actually enough: "Rockin' All Over The World". In fact, the British band has been rocking around the globe for decades and is still considered one of the most successful bands ever.
The characteristic band name - translated it means "present state" - is quite emblematic of the history of Status Quo: From their beginnings to the present, they make honest, consistent and still current rock music.
The story of the legendary band, sometimes just called Quo, begins in the early 1960s in London. In the British capital, two boys named Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster play in a school band that eventually develops into Status Quo. After some trial and error, the musical direction is clear: it should be boogie rock.
This style of music is inspired by the blues rock of the American southern states and characterized by a straightforward sound with lots of guitar and drums. Bands like ZZ Top are also representatives of this musical genre.
An ex-pupil band storms the charts
In 1967, Status Quo's first single is released: "Pictures Of Matchstick Men". It makes it into the charts in both the UK and the US. After a short career break, the band achieves one success after another since the beginning of the 1970s. Their albums storm the charts in England without exception and tours of Status Quo provide among fans for bright enthusiasm and sold-out concerts.
As the first rock band ever Status Quo play in 1982 during a charity concert in front of the royal family - and it should not remain the only one of its kind. In the course of their career, the band performs again and again for charitable causes. Another example: in 1991, it gives a concert for the inmates of London's Pentonville Prison.
Since the 1980s, there have been increasing rumors that Status Quo wanted to break up. As we know today, these were fortunately not to prove true. Because although over the years band members resign or quit and are replaced, Status Quo rock on to this day.
Status Quo still know how to surprise their fans
In music circles, the British band enjoys above all the reputation of working hard and persevering and staying true to their own style. The former also leads to an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, which can really be seen: On September 21, 1991, the troupe plays four arena concerts in four different cities in just eleven hours. Apart from London, it also performs in Sheffield, Birmingham and Glasgow.
This tour of Status Quo, however, does not give the band the last entry in the book of records. In 2005, another milestone follows - this time for 61 single chart hits in the course of their career. Record-breaking is also the fact that Status Quo still tour regularly, giving around 100 concerts per tour. Their portfolio now also includes more than 30 studio albums.
In addition, Status Quo also make a name for themselves time and again through unusual performances. This certainly includes a gig on a train low loader in the middle of the Australian outback, but also the concert for the eight protagonists of the Norwegian version of "Big Brother".
Also musically, the members dare to do something new every now and then, although they never completely turn their backs on their style in the long term. Thus, they re-record their own hit "Whatever You Want" with the German techno band Scooter and compete as a rock band at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
At Status Quo shows, founding member Francis Rossi is still on stage and thrills his loyal fans. Tickets for Status Quo are thus a guarantee for an evening that is as loud as it is good-humored, with new and old songs not missing - and "Rockin' All Over The World" certainly isn't either.
