The Quo History Part 2
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'Status Quo' 1968
left to right:
John Coghlan
Rick Parfitt
Roy Lynes
Francis Rossi (front)
Alan Lancaster
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1968 - Status Quo score their first hit singles with two Top Tens -'Pictures of Matchstick Men' (No.7) written by Francis and 'Ice In The Sun' (No.8). written by Ronnie Scott and Marty Wilde. The band embark on a massive British package tour headlined by Gene Pitney prior to the release of their debut album 'Picturesque Matchstickable Messages'.
1969 - Release of a minor hit single 'Are you Growing Tired of My Love' (No46) and the bands second album 'Spare Parts'. Bob Young meets Quo and becomes their road manager, he also starts to write songs with the band as they record the third album. Quo decide its time to dispense with the frilly gear and wear what they all feel comfortable in... Jeans.
1970 - The Quo sound hardens with the release of the 'Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon' album and a further two hit singles - 'Down The Dustpipe' (No12) and 'In My Chair' (No21). Keyboard player Roy Lynes leaves the band. The reaction to the new long haired Quo is initially one of shock, but after a while they start to command a different, more rock audience.
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The Quo sound toughens... |
1971 - Release of the first hard rockin' Quo album 'Dog Of Two Head', giving the band fresh life with a new pounding no-nonsense approach.
1972 - After two years of constant touring Quo are now accepted as a genuine hard rock band. Following triumphant appearances at the Great Western and Reading Festivals, the band sign a major recording deal with Phonogram's Vertigo label.
1973 - For the first time, Quo decide to make their new album 'Piledriver' without a producer, the intention being to capture the new live sound on record.The album enters the Album Chart at Number Five. Quo release two huge hit singles. 'Paper Plane' (No.8), 'Mean Girl' (No20) .Later in the year the classic 'Hello' album enters the album chart at Number One, and 'Caroline' a song written by Francis and Bob Young simultaneously enters the Chart at Number five.
1974 - The British tour takes Quo to Londons Wembley Arena where they do three sell out nights. 'Break The Rules' reaches Number 8. 'Down Down' hits Number One and the 'Quo' album crashes in to the Album Chart at Number Two.
1975 - 'Roll Over Lay Down' hits the Top Ten while 'On The Level' enters the Album Chart at Number One.
1976 - 'Blue For You' becomes another Number One album. Three further hit singles with 'Rain' (No.7) 'Mystery Song' (No.11) and 'Wild Side Of Life' (No.9). Andrew Bown Joins the band on keyboards.
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