Status Quo (band)

{{short description|British rock band}} {{redirect|The Status Quo|text=For other terms, see Status quo (disambiguation)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Status Quo | image = File:Status Quo live at Partille Arena, 2017-04-22.jpg | landscape = yes | caption = Status Quo performing in 2017 {{break}}From left: Leon Cave (on drums), Richie Malone, Francis Rossi, John "Rhino" Edwards, Andy Bown | background = group_or_band | origin = London, England | genre = {{hlist|Rock|boogie rock|hard rock|psychedelia (early)}} | alias = The Paladins (1962–1963) The Spectres (1963–1967) Traffic Jam (1967) The Status Quo (1967–1969) | discography = Discography | years_active = {{hlist|1962–present}} | label = {{hlist|Pye|Vertigo|Capitol|Polydor|Eagle|Sanctuary|Mercury|Fourth Chord|Edel|Ear}} | website = {{URL|statusquo.co.uk}} | current_members = {{unbulleted list|Francis Rossi|Andy Bown|John "Rhino" Edwards|Leon Cave|Richie Malone}} | past_members = See: Personnel }}

'''Status Quo''' are a British rock band formed in London in 1962.<ref name="Status Quo: Just Doin' It!">{{cite book |first=Bob |last=Young |year=2000 |title=Status Quo: Just Doin' It! |edition=1st |publisher=Cassell Illustrated |location=London |page=27 |isbn=1-84403-562-X}}</ref><ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book |first=Martin C. |last=Strong |year=2000 |title=The Great Rock Discography |edition=5th |publisher=Mojo Books |location=Edinburgh |pages=927–929 |isbn=1-84195-017-3}}</ref> Beginning with "Pictures of Matchstick Men" in 1968, they have had over 60 chart hits in the UK – more than any other band<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4259312.stm |title=Status Quo hold UK singles record |date=19 September 2005 |access-date=14 February 2009 |work=BBC News}}</ref> – with further hits including "Caroline", "Down Down", "Rain", "Rockin' All Over the World", "Whatever You Want" and "What You're Proposing". 22 of these reached the Top 10 in the UK singles chart, and 57 reached the Top 40.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.45cat.com/record/6059242 |title=Whatever You Want|publisher=Official Charts|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> They have released over 100 singles and 33 studio albums. Since reaching number five on the UK albums chart in 1972 with ''Piledriver'', Status Quo have placed 29 consecutive studio albums on the UK charts, including 20 Top 10 studio albums. In 2012, they were announced as the tenth best-selling group of all time on the UK singles chart with 7.2 million singles sales in their homeland alone.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-20-biggest-selling-groups-of-all-time-revealed-__2515/ | title=The Official Top 20 biggest selling groups of all time revealed! | website=Official Charts }}</ref> As of 2015, they were one of only 50 artists to have achieved more than 500 total weeks on the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/status-quo-land-500th-week-on-official-albums-chart__7581/ | title=Status Quo land 500th week on Official Albums Chart | website=Official Charts }}</ref>

In July 1985, Status Quo opened Live Aid at Wembley Stadium with "Rockin' All Over the World".<ref name=":2">{{cite news |title=Aaaaaay-o! Aaaaaay-o! Why Live Aid was the greatest show of all |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-anniversary-queen-freddie-mercury-performances-bob-geldof-a9612071.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-anniversary-queen-freddie-mercury-performances-bob-geldof-a9612071.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2020 |work=The Independent}}</ref> In 1991, they received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.<ref>[http://www.brits.co.uk/britstv/1991-outstanding-contribution-to-music-award-–-status-quo "1991 – Outstanding Contribution to Music Award – Status Quo"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308210118/http://www.brits.co.uk/britstv/1991-outstanding-contribution-to-music-award-%E2%80%93-status-quo |date=8 March 2014}}. Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2012</ref> In 2014, preparing to headline that year's Download Festival, they won the ''Service to Rock'' award at the Kerrang! Awards.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.leehawkins.com/NoFrames/Reviews/jun14.htm | title=The 2014 Quo Annual – June 2014 }}</ref> Status Quo appeared on the BBC's ''Top of the Pops'' more than any other band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5103208.stm |title=Status Quo: Top of Top of the Pops |work=BBC News |date=21 June 2006 |access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> Their success and longevity as well, in part, as their connections to the British Royal Family, including philanthropic work with the Prince's Trust, have seen them frequently described as a "national institution" by the media.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/status-quo-quiz-ahead-llangollen-7330006 | title=Quiz: They'll be rocking all over Llangollen – but are you in the know about the Quo?|website=Walesonline.co.uk| date=26 June 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/2472400/status-quo-turned-knockhill-into-a-forest-of-air-guitars-after-dunkeld-pit-stop/ | title=Status Quo turned Knockhill into a forest of air guitars after Dunkeld pit-stop|website=Thecourier.co.uk| date=23 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/things-to-do/status-quo-rock-the-forest-7550796 | title=Status Quo rock the forest|website=Eadt.co.uk | date=9 June 2008 }}</ref> According to Status Quo, they have sold over 118 million records worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://today.rtl.lu/culture/music/a/2157983.html|title=Rockhal Announces Status Quo Show on 21 July|date=16 January 2024|publisher=RTL|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statusquo.co.uk/factsheet.htm|title=Quo Facts|publisher=Statusquo.co.uk|access-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109202831/https://www.statusquo.co.uk/factsheet.htm|archive-date=9 November 2006}}</ref>

==History== ===1962–1967: Formative years=== Status Quo were formed in 1962 under the name the Paladins<ref>{{cite sign |title=Celebrating Seven Decades of Quo |year=2023 |type=Exhibition caption |location=Barbican Library, London |quote=The Scorpions have always been cited as the band's first name and this is ingrained into Quo history. However, this has now been exposed as an urban myth. [...] We called ourselves 'The Paladins' for a short while – before changing to The 'Spectres'. – Alan Lancaster}}</ref> by Francis Rossi (vocals, guitar) and Alan Lancaster (bass) at Sedgehill Comprehensive School, Catford, London, along with classmates Jess Jaworski (keyboards) and Alan Key (drums).<ref name="Status Quo: Just Doin' It!"/> In 1963, Key was replaced by John Coghlan and the band changed their name to the Spectres.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> After changing their name, Lancaster's father arranged for the group to perform weekly at a venue called the Samuel Jones Sports Club in Dulwich, London, where they were noticed by Pat Barlow, a gasfitter and budding pop music manager. Barlow became the group's manager and secured them spots at venues around London, such as El Partido in Lewisham and Café des Artistes in Chelsea.<ref name="I Talk Too Much: My Autobiography">{{cite book |last1=Rossi |first1=Francis |title=I Talk Too Much: My Autobiography|publisher=Constable |isbn=978-1472130204 |page=Loc. 544–553 of 4402 (in the Amazon Kindle version) |ref=I Talk Too Much: My Autobiography |date=14 March 2019}}</ref> In 1965, when Rossi, Lancaster and Jaworski left school, Jaworski opted to leave the band and was replaced by Roy Lynes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quoticker.de/SQTICKERUKYEARREVIEW65.htm |title=QUOTICKER – Year review 1965 |website=Quoticker.de |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref>

During 1965, the band played a summer season residency at Butlins Holiday Camp in Minehead, during which they met Rick Parfitt, who was playing guitar with a cabaret band called the Highlights. By the end of the residency, Rossi and Parfitt – who had become close friends – made a commitment to stay friends and work together at some point in the future. On 18 July 1966, the Spectres signed a five-year deal with Piccadilly Records, releasing two singles that year, "I (Who Have Nothing)" (first recorded by Joe Sentieri and most famously covered by Tom Jones) and "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (an original song by Alan Lancaster), and one the next year called "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" (originally recorded by New York psychedelic band the Blues Magoos).<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> All three singles failed to make an impact on the charts.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia">{{cite book |first=David |last=Roberts |year=1998 |title=Guinness Rockopedia |edition=1st |publisher=Guinness Publishing Ltd. |location=London |page=[https://archive.org/details/guinnessrockoped0000unse/page/417 417] |isbn=0-85112-072-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessrockoped0000unse/page/417 }}</ref>

In 1967, the group's sound began moving towards psychedelia and they renamed themselves Traffic, but were soon forced to change it to Traffic Jam to avoid confusion with Steve Winwood's new band Traffic, following an argument over who had registered the name first.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> The band secured an appearance on BBC Radio's ''Saturday Club'', but in June their next single, "Almost But Not Quite There" (an original song by Francis Rossi), underperformed. The following month saw Parfitt, at the request of manager Pat Barlow, joining the band as rhythm guitarist and vocalist. Shortly after Parfitt's recruitment, in August 1967, the band officially became the Status Quo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quoticker.de/SQTICKERUKYEARREVIEW67.htm |title=QUOTICKER – year review 1967 |website=Quoticker.de |access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref>

===1968–1970: Breakthrough and development of classic style=== [[File:Status Quo, 1960s.jpg|thumb|left|The Status Quo in 1968, from a promotional poster for the single "Black Veils of Melancholy" – clockwise from top: Francis Rossi, John Coghlan, Rick Parfitt, Roy Lynes, Alan Lancaster]] In January 1968, the group released the psychedelic-flavoured "Pictures of Matchstick Men".<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> The song hit the UK singles chart, reaching number seven; "Matchstick Men" became the group's only Top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> Although Status Quo's albums have been released in the United States throughout their career, they never achieved the same level of success there as they have in Britain.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> Though the follow-up was the unsuccessful single "Black Veils of Melancholy", they had a hit again the same year with a pop song penned by Marty Wilde and Ronnie Scott, "Ice in the Sun", which climbed to number eight.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> All three singles were included on the band's first album ''Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo'', released in September 1968. After the breakthrough, the band management hired Bob Young as a roadie and tour manager. Over the years Young became one of the most important songwriting partners for Status Quo, in addition to occasionally playing harmonica with them on stage and on record.

After their second album, 1969's ''Spare Parts'', failed commercially, the band's musical direction moved away from psychedelia towards a more hard rock/boogie rock sound. The change in sound also brought a change in image, away from Carnaby Street fashions to faded denims and T-shirts, an image which was to become their trademark throughout the 1970s.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> The new direction was displayed on the band's third album, 1970's ''Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon'' and its preceding single "Down the Dustpipe". Lynes left the band in 1970 with the remaining members continuing as a four-piece, although they were often joined in the studio by guest keyboard players including Jimmy Horowitz, Tom Parker and Andy Bown, the latter an ex-member of the Herd and Judas Jump and part of the Peter Frampton Band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quoticker.de/SQTICKERUKYEARREVIEW70.htm|title=QUOTICKER – year review 1970 |website=Quoticker.de|access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> In 1976, Bown also began playing live with the band and was eventually made an official member of Status Quo in 1981.

===1970–1981: "Frantic Four" era=== [[File:Status Quo1978.jpg|thumb|260px|right|The "Frantic Four" line-up; left-to-right: Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster (obscured: John Coghlan) performing at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, 1978]] The first recording by the four-piece line-up, often referred to as "the Frantic Four", was the late 1970 single "In My Chair", followed by Status Quo's fourth album ''Dog of Two Head'' in 1971. In 1972 the band left Pye Records and signed with the heavy rock and progressive label Vertigo Records.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> Their first album for Vertigo, ''Piledriver'', was released in 1972, reaching number five in the UK. ''Piledriver'' heralded an even heavier, self-produced sound.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> This album was essentially the stylistic template for their next four albums, ''Hello!'' (1973), ''Quo'' (1974), ''On the Level'' (1975) and ''Blue for You'' (1976).<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> ''Hello!'' was the band's first UK number one album, while ''Quo'' reached number two and ''On the Level'' and ''Blue for You'' both also reached number one. In 1976, they signed a pioneering sponsorship deal with Levi's.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> The following year the group released a double ''Live!'' album, which reached number three in the UK.

Quo's hit singles from this era, with peak UK chart position and year, include: "In My Chair" (number 21 in 1970), "Paper Plane" (number eight in 1972), "Caroline" (number five in 1973), "Break The Rules" (number eight in 1974), "Down Down" (number one in 1975), "Roll Over Lay Down" (number 10 in 1975), "Rain" (number seven in 1976), "Mystery Song" (number 11 in 1976), "Wild Side of Life" (number nine in 1976), "Rockin' All Over the World" (number three in 1977), "Again and Again" (number 13 in 1978), "Whatever You Want" (number four in 1979), "Living on an Island" (number 16 in 1979), "What You're Proposing" (number two in 1980), the double A-side "Lies" and "Don't Drive My Car" (number 11 in 1980), "Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like" (number nine in 1981) and "Rock 'n' Roll" (number eight in 1981).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/status-quo-mn0000745241/biography|title=Status Quo | Biography & History|website=AllMusic|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> "Down Down" topped the UK singles chart in January 1975, becoming their only UK number one single to date.<ref name="500 Number One Hits">{{cite book |first=Jo |last=Rice |year=1982 |title=The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits |edition=1st |publisher=Guinness Superlatives Ltd |location=Enfield, Middlesex |page=164 |isbn=0-85112-250-7}}</ref>

From 1977 onwards, the band's sound became more polished as they began to employ outside producers. Roger Glover of Deep Purple and Rainbow was the first outside producer to work with Quo since Pye's John Schroeder in the early 1970s, and produced the non-album single "Wild Side of Life" and its B-side "All Through The Night" in 1976. The next three studio albums, ''Rockin' All Over the World'' (1977), ''If You Can't Stand the Heat...'' (1978) and ''Whatever You Want'' (1979), were produced by Pip Williams, while the band's first two albums of the 1980s, ''Just Supposin''' (1980) and ''Never Too Late'' (1981), were produced by John Eden. All five of these albums went top five in the UK. The title track of ''Rockin' All Over the World'', a minor hit for its writer John Fogerty (formerly of Creedence Clearwater Revival), became one of Status Quo's most enduring anthems.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> In 1980 the band released a number three charting greatest hits album ''12 Gold Bars''.

===1981–1990: Line-up changes, Live Aid and ''In The Army Now''=== Tensions within the band saw Coghlan leaving at the end of 1981.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> His replacement was Pete Kircher from the 1960s pop band Honeybus,<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> while keyboardist Andy Bown was also made an official member of the band. The new line-up recorded three albums, ''1+9+8+2'', ''Live at the N.E.C.'' (both 1982) and ''Back to Back'' (1983). During this period, Rossi and Lancaster's relationship deteriorated over musical differences, with Lancaster feeling Rossi, who now favoured a more pop/soft rock-based sound, was exerting too much control. Another dispute concerned the song "Ol' Rag Blues", the first single from ''Back to Back''. Lancaster co-wrote the song and had recorded a lead vocal for it, but was angered when the producers chose to release a version with Rossi singing the lead vocal instead. Lancaster later cited Rossi's cocaine addiction, which lasted throughout the 1980s, as another major factor in the breakdown of their relationship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSUbCw5wMXw|title=Alan Lancaster Talks 'Status Quo' |website=YouTube |date=2 October 2016 }}</ref>

Although contracted to record more albums, 1984 saw the band set out on what was intended to be their last tour, dubbed the 'End of the Road'. To coincide with the tour, the band released their second greatest hits album, ''12 Gold Bars Vol. 2'', for which they recorded a cover of "The Wanderer" by Dion. The song was issued as a single and reached number seven, while the album reached number 12.<ref name=":0" /> The last gig of the tour was on 21 July 1984 at the Milton Keynes Bowl. "Everybody was coked-up and hating each other", Rossi recalled, "and I'd started drinking tequila on that tour. I don't remember that show at all – the encores or anything; just falling flat on my back at one point."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dave |last=Ling |title=Again again again… |magazine=Classic Rock |issue=36 |date=January 2002|page=69}}</ref> "Deciding to retire from the road – all that was about was getting Francis a solo career," declared Lancaster. "Nobody on the outside knew it, but he didn't want to work with me or Rick anymore."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dave |last=Ling |title=Again again again… |magazine=Classic Rock |issue=36 |date=January 2002 |page=73}}</ref>

Status Quo's final appearance with the Kircher line-up opened the Live Aid charity event at Wembley Stadium in July 1985.<ref name=":2" /> That year, Rossi recorded and released two solo singles with long-time writing partner Bernie Frost. Parfitt recorded a solo album, ''Recorded Delivery'', with bass player John "Rhino" Edwards and drummer Jeff Rich. The album remains unreleased, although some tracks were reworked and released sporadically as Quo B-sides until 1987.

In mid-1985, Rossi, Parfitt and Bown, with Edwards and Rich, started work on a new Quo album. Lancaster – by this time more or less settled in Australia – took out a legal injunction to stop the band using the Status Quo name.<ref>{{cite news |last=McIver |first=Joel |date=27 September 2021 |title=Alan Lancaster obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/27/alan-lancaster-obituary |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The injunction also prevented the release of a single, "Naughty Girl", for which a catalogue number was issued by Vertigo. An out-of-court settlement was made in January 1986, giving Rossi and Parfitt the rights to the band's name,<ref>{{cite news |date=9 December 2005 |title=The enduring appeal of Status Quo |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4513178.stm |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=BBC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ling |first=Dave |date=26 September 2022 |title=The life, music and troubled times of Status Quo's Alan Lancaster |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-life-music-and-troubled-times-of-status-quos-alan-lancaster |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=loudersound }}</ref> enabling the new line-up to continue work on the ''In the Army Now'' album, for which "Naughty Girl" was reworked as "Dreamin'". Lancaster remained in Australia, and in 1986 joined an Australian supergroup, the Party Boys, featuring Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo, John Brewster of the Angels and Kevin Borich, but achieved little success outside Australia.

In 1986, Quo supported Queen on the latter's Magic Tour. The commercially successful ''In the Army Now'' album was released later that year, peaking at number seven on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date= |title=STATUS QUO |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17941/status-quo/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=Official Charts }}</ref> Its title track became one of the band's biggest UK singles, reaching number two.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> The following album, 1988's ''Ain't Complaining'', was less successful but produced the number five hit "Burning Bridges".<ref name=":0" /> 1989's ''Perfect Remedy'' became their first album since 1971's ''Dog of Two Head'' not to go top 20 in the UK. In 1990 the band scored their last UK top 10 single with "The Anniversary Waltz Part One", a medley of rock and roll classics to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rossi and Parfitt's first meeting. The track was recorded for a new greatest hits album ''Rocking All Over the Years'', which reached number two in the UK, while a follow-up medley "The Anniversary Waltz Part Two" appeared as a single at the end of the year.<ref name=":0" />

===1991–2009: ''Rock 'Til You Drop'', ''Don't Stop'' and continued touring=== The first half of the 1990s saw falling album sales for the band. To promote the release of 1991's ''Rock 'til You Drop'', Quo performed four arena gigs in Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and London in the space of 12 hours, earning them a place in the ''Guinness Book of World Records''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2IBSoKMsgQC |title=Every Chart Topper Tells a Story: The Seventies |last=Davis |first=Sharon |year=2012 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=9781780574103 |page=125}}</ref> 1992 brought the band's third live album, ''Live Alive Quo''. The next studio album, 1994's ''Thirsty Work'', included a cover of the Jennifer Warnes song "I'm Restless" revealing an alternative and lighter sound to the band.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/> The 1996 covers album ''Don't Stop'' brought an upswing in the band's sales, reaching number two in the UK Album Charts, the band's highest-charting studio album of the 1990s, and producing three UK top 40 singles with covers of the Searchers' "When You Walk in the Room", the Beach Boys' "Fun, Fun, Fun" (with the Beach Boys themselves guesting on the track) and Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop". The band became involved in an acrimonious dispute with Radio 1 after the station refused to include the "Fun Fun Fun" single on the radio station's playlist.<ref name="Guinness Rockopedia"/>

Parfitt underwent quadruple by-pass surgery in 1997, but was able to make a full recovery and returned with a performance at the Norwich City Football Club ground Carrow Road three months later. Status Quo also returned to Australia in 1997, completing their first tour there since 1978. A greatest hits album, ''Whatever You Want – The Very Best of Status Quo'', was also released, achieving silver sales in the UK that year. In 1999, Quo toured Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Dubbed the 'Last Night of the Proms', the band were backed by a full orchestra during the concerts. That same year also saw the release of the album ''Under the Influence''. At the request of the band's management, their first album of the 2000s, ''Famous in the Last Century'', consisted almost entirely of cover versions, with the only exception being the title track, in the hope it would repeat the success of ''Don't Stop'', though it proved only a moderate success. In 2000 the band underwent its first line-up change in 15 years, when Rich was replaced by Matt Letley. Following the death of his wife, Andy Bown took time away from touring during 2000 and 2001, with his place temporarily taken by Paul Hirsh, formerly of Voyager. Bown remained the band's official keyboardist, and returned to touring in 2002. In November 2000, the band played a gig at Grandchester in the outback in Australia, performing on a carriage of Australia's Orient Express, the Great South Pacific Express.

[[File:Arrow Festival2006 Status Quo (zoom).jpg|thumb|left|Performing at Arrow Rock Festival in Lichtenvoorde, the Netherlands in 2006; left-to-right: Parfitt, Rossi, Matt Letley (obscured by drums), John "Rhino" Edwards]]

Between 2002 and 2005, Quo released the albums ''Heavy Traffic'', ''Riffs'' (another all-covers album) and ''The Party Ain't Over Yet''. Another greatest hits album, ''XS All Areas – The Greatest Hits'', appeared in 2004 with two new songs, "You'll Come 'Round" and "Thinking of You".

In December 2005, it was announced that Parfitt had been taken ill and was undergoing tests for throat cancer. All subsequent dates of the UK tour were cancelled as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=9 December 2005 |title=Quo star in throat cancer scare |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/quo-star-throat-cancer-scare-1599779 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821224208/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/quo-star-throat-cancer-scare-1599779 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |access-date=4 September 2025 |website=Chronicle Live}}</ref> However, the growths in Parfitt's throat were found to be benign and were successfully removed. In May 2006, a fully recovered Parfitt and the band returned to the NEC Birmingham to play the show that they had postponed in December. This was their 40th show at the venue, and was filmed for a DVD, entitled ''Just Doin' It''.

[[File:Status Quo's hands.jpg|thumb|right|Handprints of Rossi and Parfitt of Status Quo at the Wembley Square of Fame in London]] On 1 July 2007, they performed in front of 63,000 people at the newly built Wembley Stadium as part of the ''Concert for Diana''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 2007 |title=Diana concert a 'perfect tribute' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6257986.stm |access-date=19 September 2025 |work=BBC}}</ref> Their twenty-eighth studio album, ''In Search of the Fourth Chord'', was released in September 2007, on the band's own Fourth Chord label in the UK, and on Edel Records in the rest of Europe. The title is a self-satirical response<ref>{{cite book |last=Schneidewind |first=Günter |title=Der Große Schneidewind Rock- und Popgeschichten |date=2014 |isbn=978-3-86351-219-4 |location=Tübingen |publisher=Klöpfer & Meyer Verlag |language=DE |oclc=1185385458}}</ref> to the frequent criticism that they are a three-chord band.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cope |first=Andrew L. |title=Status Quo : mighty innovators of 70s rock |date=2019 |isbn=978-1-351-02590-4 |location=Abingdon, Oxon |publisher=Routledge |oclc=1060183276}}</ref> Produced by Pip Williams, who had worked with Quo on and off in the studio since 1977, the album was only moderately successful.

In 2008, they teamed up with German techno group Scooter to record a jumpstyle version of their 1979 single "Whatever You Want" entitled "Jump That Rock (Whatever You Want)".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scootertechno.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Scootertechno.Com |date=22 October 2013 |access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> In December 2008, they released their 75th single and first Christmas single, entitled "It's Christmas Time", which peaked at number 40 in the UK Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statusquo.co.uk/ |title=The Official Site |publisher=Status Quo |access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> The track was from the new ''Pictures – 40 Years of Hits'' greatest hits album. The following year a new live album and DVD, ''Pictures – Live at Montreux'', was released.

===2010–2013: ''Hello Quo'', "Frantic Four" reunion tours and ''Bula Quo!''=== Rossi and Parfitt were each awarded the OBE in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to music and their long-standing charity work,<ref>{{cite web |date=31 December 2009 |title=Status Quo stars and Formula One champion honoured |url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8435197.stm |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=BBC}}</ref> including for The Prince's Trust, British Heart Foundation and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. ''Classic Rock'' magazine reported on 17 March 2010 that the band had patched up their relationship with Lancaster, and were discussing the possibility of a future collaboration.<ref name="crm">{{cite web |date=17 March 2010 |title=Quo Kiss And Make Up With Former Bassist |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/quo-kiss-and-make-up-with-former-bassist |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527230314/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/quo-kiss-and-make-up-with-former-bassist |archive-date=27 May 2010 |access-date=26 October 2013 |publisher=Classicrockmagazine.com}}</ref> The article stated "While the band are back on friendly terms with Alan, it's unlikely we'll see any future reunion, with Quo continuing as normal and Lancaster busy with charity events and overseeing the activities of his son's band The Presence".<ref name = crm/>

On 20 September 2010, Status Quo was honoured with a PRS for Music plaque commemorating their first gig at the Welcome Inn in Well Hall Road, Eltham, where the band first performed in 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/4848 |title=Status Quo black plaque in London |publisher=Openplaques.org |date=20 September 2010 |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> Later that month, on 26 September, a new version of "In the Army Now", titled "In the Army Now (2010)", was released through Universal / UMC as a single, with all profits from the single donated equally to the British Forces Foundation and Help for Heroes charities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723132032/http://www.army.mod.uk/news/21024.aspx|url-status=dead|title=News & Events|archive-date=23 July 2010|website=Army.mod.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertaimnet.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/its-still-the-status-quo-francis-rossi-is-in-the-army-now-interview-with-the-gomorr/ |title=Entertaim.net: interview with the GOMORR |publisher=Entertaim.net |date=25 October 2013 |access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> ''Live at the BBC'', a box set of sessions, live concerts and TV appearances at the BBC was released on 24 October 2010.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=22 September 2010 |title=Status Quo – Live at the BBC |url=https://www.statusquo.co.uk/records/bbc_live.htm |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726194426/https://www.statusquo.co.uk/records/bbc_live.htm |archive-date=26 July 2011 |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=StatusQuo}}</ref> The set was released in various formats: a full 7CD and 1DVD version covering almost all appearances, while the 2CD and 4CD versions present some highlights; the DVD was also released individually.<ref name=":1" />

Their twenty-ninth studio album, ''Quid Pro Quo'', was released in a deluxe format exclusively at Tesco on 30 May 2011. The regular edition was released elsewhere on 6 June.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ishaq |first=Farah |date=6 June 2011 |title=Status Quo – Quid Pro Quo {{!}} album reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/albums/status-quo_0511.htm |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608102653/https://www.musicomh.com/albums/status-quo_0511.htm |archive-date=8 June 2011 |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=MusicOMH}}</ref> The album peaked at number 10 on the UK chart.<ref name=":0" /> December 2011 saw Status Quo undertake their first all-arenas UK winter tour. Quo also performed for the first time at The O2 in London. The tour was dubbed ''Quofest'' and featured Roy Wood and Kim Wilde as support for all shows, and joining the band during the encore.

The band's first cinematic documentary, ''Hello Quo!'', was filmed in 2011 with director Alan G. Parker;<ref>{{cite web |last=Bahal |first=Rahul |date=24 October 2012 |title=An interview with Alan G. Parker on his recent film Hello Quo |url=https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2012/10/24/an-interview-with-alan-g-parker-on-his-recent-film-hello-quo/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Upcoming}}</ref> it screened in cinemas on 22 October 2012, and was released on Blu-ray and DVD the following week.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dessau |first=Bruce |date=22 October 2012 |title=Hello Quo |url=https://theartsdesk.com/film/hello-quo |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=theartsdesk.com}}</ref> The documentary included contributions from Brian May, Jeff Lynne, Cliff Richard, Joe Elliott, Paul Weller, Joe Brown, Jim Lea, Andy Scott, and Steve Diggle.

thumb|right|Parfitt and Rossi at the UK film premiere of ''Bula Quo!'' in July 2013. In April 2012, Status Quo announced they were shooting their first feature film, over several weeks in Fiji. A 90-minute action comedy, entitled ''Bula Quo!'', taking its name from the islanders' traditional Fijian greeting, and also referencing the title of the band's best-selling album, ''Hello!'' featuring the band as themselves, and also starring Jon Lovitz, Craig Fairbrass and Laura Aikman.<ref name="Brave">{{cite web|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/204558 |title=Status Quo Add Drummer Leon Cave To Band Line-up |publisher=Bravewords.com |access-date=24 May 2013}}</ref> The film was directed by Stuart St. Paul, produced by Tim Major and was released in cinemas on 5 July 2013. The film was accompanied by a soundtrack album of the same name, the band's 30th studio album, released on 10 June. It featured nine new songs and ten re-records and live tracks. ''Bula Quo!'' debuted in the UK chart at number 10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/bula%20quo/|title=Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref>

On 9 July 2012, the band released the single "The Winner" for the 2012 Summer Olympics. In July 2012 Coles, an Australian national supermarket chain, signed Status Quo to record a version of "Down Down" using Coles' tag line 'Down, down, prices are down'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/coles-bags-status-quo-for-latest-ad-campaign/story-fndo48ca-1226423719650quo |title=National News : Coles bags Status Quo for latest ad campaign |publisher=Heraldsun.com.au |access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> In September 2012, the band performed at Hyde Park for BBC Radio 2 ''Live in Hyde Park''. In November 2012, Coles continued their association with Status Quo, producing a series of television adverts with the band appearing and performing "It's Christmas Time". In 2013, new adverts were released by Coles with Quo using "Whatever You Want" as the new jingle.

In December that year, Quo toured under the Quofest banner for a second year, this time supported by Bonnie Tyler and Eddie and the Hot Rods. In December 2012, Letley announced his decision to leave the band after 12 years, and subsequently departed following completion of their 2012 winter tour.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 December 2012 |title=Status Quo drummer Matt Letley quits after 12 years with the band |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/status-quo-drummer-matt-letley-quits-after-12-years-with-the-band-8422774.html |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=The Independent }}</ref> However, Letley toured with Quo on their Australia and Mexico tour in March and April 2013, due to limited time to find a new drummer after the Frantic Four Tour.

The 1970–1981 line-up (Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster and Coghlan) reunited as "The Frantic Four" in March 2013 for a series of dates in Manchester, Wolverhampton, Glasgow and London. Three live albums were issued from the tour, covering the O2 Academy in Glasgow (9 and 10 March 2013), the Hammersmith Apollo (15 and 16 March 2013) and the last date of the tour at Wembley Arena (17 March 2013), with the Wembley show also being filmed for a DVD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wexfordecho.ie/entertainment/eymhojcwau/ |publisher=Wexford Echo |title=Interview with Francis Rossi |access-date=25 October 2012}} {{dead link |date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no}}</ref>

In May 2013, Leon Cave became Quo's new drummer.<ref name="Brave"/> In the latter months of 2013, Status Quo embarked on their Bula Quo tour, followed by nine concert dates in the UK during 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giga-music.co.uk/status-quo-concert-tour-tickets |title=Status Quo Tickets – Tour 2014 |date=25 October 2013 |publisher=Giga-music.co.uk |access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> On 25 November 2013, it was announced that Status Quo would headline the second stage at the Download Festival in June 2014.

===2014–present: ''Aquostic'', Parfitt's death and ''Backbone''=== In January 2014, Wychwood Brewery announced they would be releasing a Status Quo brand of beer, named after their 1972 album ''Piledriver'', exclusively in JD Wetherspoon pubs across the UK in February, before going on general sale in April. March 2014 saw the second 'Frantic Four' reunion tour featuring Rossi and Parfitt with original members Lancaster and Coghlan with their last gig being at The O2 in Dublin, which was recorded and filmed for album and DVD release, both titled ''The Frantic Four's Final Fling''. Rossi indicated that this would be the last reunion tour of the 'Frantic Four' line-up.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/status-quo-frontman-if-i-dropped-dead-tomorrow-what-a-fantastic-f-king-life-i-ve-had-1.1750825 |newspaper=The Irish Times|title=Status Quo frontman: 'If I dropped dead tomorrow, what a fantastic f**king life I've had'|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> On 8 March 2014, Rossi and Parfitt appeared on ITV show ''Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'' performing "Rockin' All Over the World" with McBusted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/saturdaynighttakeaway/videos/end-of-the-show-show-mcbusted-ant-dec-status-quo|title=McBusted vs McDonnelly|date=8 March 2014|publisher=itv.com|access-date=12 July 2017}}</ref>

thumb|left|Parfitt and Rossi performing at Festival Pause Guitare, 2015 In August 2014, it was reported that founding keyboardist Jess Jaworski had died.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/FranticFour/photos/a.198013773667834.49603.198012347001310/482199108582631/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/198012347001310/482199108582631 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Status Quo "The Frantic Four" Reunion Tour|website=Facebook.com|access-date=22 August 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In October 2014, Parfitt and Rossi appeared on BBC's ''The One Show'', performing an acoustic version of "Pictures of Matchstick Men".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04ls1zx|title=BBC One – The One Show, 20/10/2014|work=BBC|access-date=21 October 2014}}</ref>

On 22 October 2014, the band launched their ''Aquostic – Stripped Bare'' album with a 90-minute performance at London's Roundhouse, with the concert recorded and broadcast live by BBC Radio 2 as part of their ''In Concert'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/status-quo/2014/roundhouse-london-england-bccc99e.html|title=Status Quo Concert Setlist at Roundhouse, London on October 22, 2014 – setlist.fm|work=setlist.fm|access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/t5RRN4k2Y2dDhcxdtkfjfN/status-quo-acoustic |title=Status Quo – Acoustic |work=Radio 2 In Concert |publisher=bbc.co.uk|access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> A live album and DVD of the concert, both titled ''Aquostic – Live at the Roundhouse'', were issued in 2015. Footage from the concert was later used, interspersed with interviews with Rossi and Parfitt, in BBC Four's ''Status Quo: Live and Acoustic'', in January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052yq1f|title=Status Quo: Live and Acoustic – BBC Four|website=BBC|access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref>

On 9 May 2015, the band performed "In the Army Now" at the VE Day 70: A Party to Remember.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 May 2015 |title=VE Day 70, Horse Guards Parade, review: 'rousing ovations and spiffing period dress' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/11591896/VE-Day-70-Horse-Guards-Parade-review-rousing-ovations-and-spiffing-period-dress.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/11591896/VE-Day-70-Horse-Guards-Parade-review-rousing-ovations-and-spiffing-period-dress.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=8 September 2016 |publisher=telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 5 June that year, Status Quo were the headline act at Palmerston Park in Dumfries, at the stadium of Queen of the South and were supported by Reef and Big Country, in the first ever live concert at the venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/big-country-support-status-quo-5264609|title=Big Country providing Quo support in Dumfries|first=Magdalene|last=Dalziel|date=3 March 2015|website=Dailyrecord.co.uk|access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Handprints of Status Quo in Olympiapark, Munich.jpg|thumb|Handprints in the Munich Walk of Stars in Germany (pictured in 2015)]] On 1 February 2016, it was 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/chance-8203-Status-Quo-Somerset-announced-quit/story-28641625-detail/story.html|title=Last chance to see Status Quo in Somerset, after they announced they will quit at end of the year|newspaper=Western Daily Press|date=27 January 2016|access-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201093751/http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/chance-8203-Status-Quo-Somerset-announced-quit/story-28641625-detail/story.html|archive-date=1 February 2016}}</ref> The 'Last of The Electrics' tour was subsequently extended into 2017, with additional concerts outside the UK. The band performed in Aquostic line-up at BBC Radio 2's ''Live in Hyde Park'', in September 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 September 2016 |title=Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park – Status Quo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e3cp6q/acts/a8gd2m |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914194311/https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e3cp6q/acts/a8gd2m |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=11 September 2016 |website=BBC}}</ref> Their next album ''Aquostic II – That's a Fact!'' was released on 21 October that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statusquo.co.uk/aquostic/index.html#.WBOScfkrLmY |title=Aquostic |publisher=Status Quo |access-date=29 November 2016}}</ref>

On 28 October 2016, Parfitt permanently retired from live performances after suffering a heart attack earlier the same year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37797845 |title=Rick Parfitt quits performing with Status Quo for good |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2016 |access-date=29 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/StatusQuoOfficial/posts/1327533413932002 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/147704758581546/1327533413932002 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Status Quo – Further to various previous announcements and... |publisher=Facebook |date=28 October 2016 |access-date=29 November 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 24 December, he died in hospital in Marbella, Spain as a result of severe infection, after suffering an injury to his shoulder.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3146723/rick-parfitt-status-quo-guitarist-dies-in-spain-at-68/|title=Rick Parfitt, Status Quo guitarist, dies in Spain at 68|work=Global News|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.com/2017/01/status-quo-rick-parfitt-dead/|title=R.I.P. Status Quo's Rick Parfitt, the Man Who Changed How I Hear Rock|date=5 January 2017|work=Observer|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38427459 |title=Status Quo's Rick Parfitt dies aged 68 |work=BBC News |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref> 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 in the group on rhythm guitar, playing on both recorded material and at live shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statusquo.co.uk/quo.htm#richie|title=Status Quo|publisher=statusquo.co.uk |date=February 2017 |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref> The band had to postpone a concert in June 2017 after frontman Rossi became ill.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/820928/Status-Quo-tour-Francis-Rossi-Glastonbury-Festival-2017-Rick-Parfitt|title=Status Quo: Francis Rossi illness forces band to postpone concert|last=Simpson|first=George|date=24 June 2017|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref>

2017 and 2018 saw the releases of three new live albums, ''The Last Night of the Electrics'', ''Down Down and Dirty at Wacken'' and ''Down Down and Dignified at the Royal Albert Hall'', with the former two also having companion DVD releases. In June 2019, Status Quo were the special guests for Lynyrd Skynyrd, on their UK farewell tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/lynyrd-skynyrd-announce-farewell-uk-shows-with-special-guests-status-quo/|title=Lynyrd Skynyrd announce farewell UK shows with special guests Status Quo|website=Planetrock.com|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref>

On 14 June 2019, the band announced that they were working on ''Backbone'', their 33rd studio album – the first Status Quo studio album not to feature Parfitt.<ref name="Backbone announcement on Facebook">{{cite web |title=Status Quo Facebook page, Backbone announcement |url=https://www.facebook.com/StatusQuoOfficial/posts/2534483313237000 |website=Facebook |publisher=Status Quo |access-date=17 June 2019}}</ref> On 25 August 2019, the band appeared on ITV show ''The Sara Cox Show'' where Rossi spoke about the new album ''Backbone'' and his autobiography ''I Talk Too Much'', after which they performed an upcoming track called "Liberty Lane" as well as "Rockin' All Over the World".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep38week35/sara-cox-show |title=The Sara Cox Show, episode 38 |date=14 August 2019 |publisher=ITV |access-date=7 October 2019 }}</ref> ''Backbone'' was released on 6 September 2019 and reached number six in the UK Albums Chart.<ref name=":0" /> On 15 September 2019, the band performed at BBC Radio 2's ''Live in Hyde Park'' from Hyde Park, London for the third time. They were third from top of the bill, playing in the early evening and followed by Westlife and then The Pet Shop Boys.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e4v9hn/acts/ar2xc8|title=Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park – Status Quo|website=BBC Music Events}}</ref> On Christmas Day 2019, the band appeared on Channel 4's ''The Great British Bake Off'', performing "Rockin' All Over the World".<ref>{{cite web|last=Chilton |first=Louis |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-12-25/who-are-the-bakers-on-the-great-christmas-bake-off/ |title=Who are the bakers on The Great Christmas Bake Off? |publisher=Radio Times |date=25 December 2019 |access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> In August 2020, Status Quo cancelled their forty-date ''Backbone'' UK and European tour because of the COVID-19 pandemic; various commitments for the following year meant the band were unable to reschedule the shows in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Munro |first=Scott |date=12 August 2020 |title=Status Quo cancel UK and European Backbone tour |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/status-quo-cancel-uk-and-european-backbone-tour |access-date=27 May 2024 |website=Louder Sound }}</ref> On 26 September 2021, co-founder Alan Lancaster died at the age of 72 following a battle with multiple sclerosis.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Anna |date=26 September 2021 |title=Status Quo bassist Alan Lancaster has died, aged 72 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/status-quo-bassist-alan-lancaster-has-died-aged-72-3054881 |website=NME}}</ref>

The band's next tour, ''Out Out Quoing'', took place in 2022, starting off in the UK, followed by concerts in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |last=Linazasoro |first=Nick |date=29 July 2022 |title=Get 'Down Down' to see Status Quo and Shakin' Stevens in Brighton |url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/07/29/get-down-down-to-see-status-quo-and-shakin-stevens-in-brighton/ |access-date=27 May 2024 |website=Brighton and Hove News }}</ref> In 2024, the band completed a UK and European tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewry |first=Fraser |date=24 June 2024 |title=40 years after their End Of The Road tour, Status Quo may finally be nearing the end of the road |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/status-quo-the-real-end-of-the-road |access-date=3 September 2025 |website=Louder Sound}}</ref>

==Touring data== Status Quo have performed a career total of at least 3,700 documented gigs as of September 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/album-of-the-week-club-review-status-quo-live | title=Album of the Week Club Review: Status Quo – Live!|website=Loudersound.com| date=16 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/mar/31/status-quo-britains-most-underrated-rock-band | title=Status Quo: Britain's most underrated rock band | website=TheGuardian.com | date=31 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name="setlistfm">{{cite web | url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/status-quo-53d6cb51.html | title=Status Quo Tour Statistics| website=Setlist.fm }}</ref> After the addition of early undocumented gigs and various lost performances, the concert total is likely to be higher and is estimated by the band to be over 6,000, with an audience in excess of 25 million people.<ref name="sqfactsheet-properlyformatted">{{cite web |url=http://www.statusquo.co.uk/factsheet.htm |title=Status Quo – the Official Site – Factsheet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401151100/http://www.statusquo.co.uk/factsheet.htm |archive-date=1 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The band have performed over a hundred gigs in a single year several times, with the recorded peak of 144 (1971), averaging a live show every 2.5 days.<ref name="setlistfm" /> The band calculated that after 48 years of touring activity, they had "travelled some four million miles and spent 23 years away from home".<ref name="sqfactsheet-properlyformatted" /> With the exceptions of 1980, 1983 and 1985, Status Quo embarked on multinational tours every year between 1968 and 2019 (predominantly in Europe, though they have visited every populated continent).<ref name="setlistfm" />

==Personnel== {{main|List of Status Quo members}}

'''Current members''' * Francis Rossi – lead guitar, vocals {{small|(1962–present)}} * Andy Bown – keyboards, rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals {{small|(1981–present; session musician in 1973, session/touring musician 1976–1981)}} * John "Rhino" Edwards – bass, rhythm guitar, vocals {{small|(1985–present)}} * Leon Cave – drums, percussion, backing vocals {{small|(2013–present)}} * Richie Malone – rhythm guitar, vocals {{small|(2016–present)}}

'''Former members''' * Alan Lancaster – bass, vocals {{small|(1962–1985; reunion during 2013–2014; died 2021)}} * Jess Jaworski – keyboards {{small|(1962–1965; died 2014)}} * Alan Key – drums, percussion {{small|(1962–1963)}} * John Coghlan – drums, percussion {{small|(1963–1981; reunion during 2013–2014)}} * Roy Lynes – keyboards, vocals {{small|(1965–1970)}} * Rick Parfitt – rhythm guitar, vocals {{small|(1967–2016; died 2016)}} * Pete Kircher – drums, percussion, vocals {{small|(1981–1985)}} * Jeff Rich – drums, percussion {{small|(1985–2000)}} * Matt Letley – drums, percussion, vocals {{small|(2000–2013)}}

==Discography== {{further|Status Quo discography}} {{div col}} '''Studio albums''' {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *''Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo'' (1968) *''Spare Parts'' (1969) *''Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon'' (1970) *''Dog of Two Head'' (1971) *''Piledriver'' (1972) *''Hello!'' (1973) *''Quo'' (1974) *''On the Level'' (1975) *''Blue for You'' (1976) *''Rockin' All Over the World'' (1977) *''If You Can't Stand the Heat...'' (1978) *''Whatever You Want'' (1979) *''Just Supposin''' (1980) *''Never Too Late'' (1981) *''1+9+8+2'' (1982) *''Back to Back'' (1983) *''In the Army Now'' (1986) *''Ain't Complaining'' (1988) *''Perfect Remedy'' (1989) *''Rock 'til You Drop'' (1991) *''Thirsty Work'' (1994) *''Don't Stop'' (1996) *''Under the Influence'' (1999) *''Famous in the Last Century'' (2000) *''Heavy Traffic'' (2002) *''Riffs'' (2003) *''The Party Ain't Over Yet'' (2005) *''In Search of the Fourth Chord'' (2007) *''Quid Pro Quo'' (2011) *''Bula Quo!'' (2013) *''Aquostic – Stripped Bare'' (2014) *''Aquostic II – That's a Fact!'' (2016) *''Backbone'' (2019) {{div col end}} {{div-col-end}}

==Remakes and cover versions== {{More citations needed section|date=October 2011}} *In 1989, American alternative rock group Camper Van Beethoven scored a number one hit on ''Billboard'' magazine's Modern Rock Tracks chart with a cover version of "Pictures of Matchstick Men". The song is from their album ''Key Lime Pie''. British alternative rock band Kasabian released their own cover version of the same song as a B-side from their 2006 single Shoot the Runner. *The 1996 re-issue of the album ''Too-Rye-Ay'' by Dexys Midnight Runners contained a cover version of "Marguerita Time". *Ozzy Osbourne, backed by Type O Negative, covered "Pictures of Matchstick Men" as part of the soundtrack to the Howard Stern biographical movie ''Private Parts'' in 1997. *Towards the end of his life, DJ John Peel was known for playing "Down Down" as part of his eclectic DJ sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/dec/07/artsfeatures.popandrock1|title=John Peel's comments on playing 'Down Down', in The Guardian | location=London | date=7 December 2002 | access-date=24 May 2010 | first=Chris | last=Mugan}}</ref> *Arjen Lucassen (from the Dutch project Ayreon) covered "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" and "Ice in the Sun" on his solo album ''Strange Hobby''. *Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz recorded a cover version of "Pictures of Matchstick Men" on his 1985 solo album ''Seeing Eye Gods''. *German power metal band Helloween covered "Rain" for their single "Power". It is also on the bonus disc of the special edition of their 1996 album, ''The Time of the Oath''.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *Duponteil, Philippe; Robin, Philippe; foreword by Bob Young (2005). ''Status Quo: La Route Sans Fin''. In French. {{ISBN|2-910196-42-9}} *Hibbert, Tom (1982). ''Status Quo''. Omnibus Press. {{ISBN|0-86001-957-8}} *Jeffries, Neil (1985). ''Rockin' All Over the World''. Proteus Books. Paperback, {{ISBN|0-86276-272-3}} *Oxley, David J. (2000). ''Rockers Rollin' – The Story of Status Quo''. ST Publishing. Paperback, {{ISBN|1-898927-80-4}} *Oxley, David J. (2001). ''Tuned To The Music of Status Quo''. ST Publishing. Paperback, {{ISBN|1-898927-90-1}} *Parfitt, Patti (1998). ''Laughing All over the World: My Life Married to Status Quo''. Blake Publishing. {{ISBN|1-85782-198-X}} *Rossi, Francis; Parfitt, Rick (1994). ''Just For The Record''. Bantam Press. Hardcover, {{ISBN|0-593-03546-1}} *Rossi, Francis; Parfitt, Rick; Wall, Mick (2004). ''XS All Areas: The Status Quo Autobiography''. Sidgwick & Jackson. Hardcover, {{ISBN|0-283-07375-6}} (paperback ed.: Macmillan Publishers, 2005, {{ISBN|0-330-41962-5}}) *Rossi, Francis; Parfitt, Rick; Young; Bob (2006). ''Status Quo: The Official 40th Anniversary Edition''. Cassell Illustrated. Hardcover, {{ISBN|978-1-84403-562-5}}. *Shearlaw, John; Young, Bob (1984). ''Again & Again''. Sidgwick & Jackson. Paperback, {{ISBN|0-283-99101-1}} (1st ed. (1979) and 2nd ed. (1982) as ''The Authorised Biography'' by John Shearlaw) *Soronellas Vidal, Eduard; foreword by John "Rhino" Edwards (2008). ''Status Quo: Sobran Acordes''. In Spanish. Barcelona: Lenoir Ediciones. {{ISBN|978-84-938163-9-1}} *Young, Bob (1995). ''Quotographs: Celebrating 30 Years of Status Quo''. IMP International Music Publications. {{ISBN|1-85909-291-8}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[http://www.statusquo.co.uk/ Status Quo official website] *{{allMusic}} *{{discogs artist}} *{{IMDb name}} *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/image_galleries/events_status_quo_thetford_20080609_gallery.shtml BBC Norfolk: Status Quo gig gallery – Thetford Forest 2008] *[http://www.headbanger.ru/interviews/245?lng=en Francis Rossi, Interview: "I Have Eight Children, and They All Vary" 18 May 2011] *[http://www.quogigography.net/ Status Quo's ultimate gig history compiled by Thomas Franck]

Category:Status Quo (band) Category:1962 establishments in England Category:A&M Records artists Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines Category:Boogie rock groups Category:Brit Award winners Category:British hard rock musical groups Category:British musical quartets Category:British rock and roll music groups Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Eagle Records artists Category:Kerrang! Awards winners Category:Mercury Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1962 Category:Rock music groups from London Category:Vertigo Records artists Category:World Music Awards winners

Status Quo (band)

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