The Quo History Part 1
1962 - In the Second Year at Sedgehill Comprehensive School, Beckenham, Francis Rossi teams up with fellow orchestra member, Alan Lancaster and another friend, Alan Key. With two guitars and an organ plugged into one Vox AC30 amp that had been bought for Lancaster as a Christmas present, they start to practise,
Alan is soon replaced by Jess Jaworski on organ and Barry Smith joins the band on the drums.
Originally called The Scorpions, the band change their name to The Spectres and play their first gig at the Samuel Jones Sports Club in Dulwich, South London.
1963 - While the Spectres rehearse at the nearby Air Cadets base in Dulwich, they meet John Coghlan, then drumming in a band called The Cadets. John soon replaces Barry on the drums and the band start to write their own material.
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'The Spectres'
at Butlins, 1965.
left to right:
Alan Lancaster:Bass
John Coghlan:Drums
Francis Rossi:Guitar
Roy Lynes:Keyboards
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1964 - After a year of solid rehearsals, the band begin to attract a wider audience. Roy Lynes joins the band playing a Vox Continental organ. They meet Pat Barlow, a local gas fitter who claims to have contacts in the music business. Pat becomes their manager and encourages them to travel further afield for gigs. A residency at the legendary Cafe Des Artistes in London's Fuham Road follows.
1965 - The Spectres and Rick Parfitt who was playing with his band 'The Highlights' first meet at Butlin's in Minehead while playing summer seasons. At the end of the season Rick and Francis, who have become firm friends, decide to work together in the future.
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'The Highlights'
Rick Parfitt with twins
Jean and Gloria Harrison |
1966 - Songwriter Ronnie Scott, who writes with Rock 'n Roll singer Marty Wilde plays a tape of The Spectres singing the Lieber/Stoller song 'I (Who Have Nothing)' to John Schroeder, a producer and talent scout and the band sign a five year deal with Piccadilly Records on July 18th .They release two singles, the first one being 'I (Who Have Nothing)' and the second 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' written by Alan Lancaster, both of which sink without trace.
The Highlights meanwhile, undertake a European Cabaret tour.
1967 - Rick Parfitt quits The Highlights following an after gig argument in Liverpool when his twin sister co-stars attack him with their stillettos. The Spectres complete a spectacular hat trick of flops with their third single 'We Ain't Got Nothing Yet'.
They change their name to Traffic Jam, release another flop, a song entitled 'Almost But Not Quite There' (the first release written by Francis Rossi) and then settle on the name Status Quo. Rick gets a call from Francis and joins the band in time for the November release of 'Pictures Of Matchstick Men'.
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'Status Quo'
left to right
John Coghlan
Francis Rossi
Rick Parfitt
Roy Lynes
Alan Lancaster
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