To mark the fortieth anniversary of their first hit single, 'Pictures Of Matchstick Men', and raise money for youth charity The Prince's Trust, Status Quo host a star-studded auction / album launch at 6pm on 5th November 2008 at Bonhams, supported by Coutts. Fifty renowned musicians, artists and stars have taken up a challenge from The Prince's Trust and created their own versions of classic Quo single / album covers and these will be auctioned with all net proceeds going to the charity. The pictures are viewable here.

Personalities as diverse as Brian Wilson, Sir Tom Stoppard, Andrew Marr, Alice Cooper, Fiona Phillips, Brian May, Nick Mason, Sir Steve Redgrave, Harry Hill, Chris Tarrant, Rolf Harris, David Shepherd, Chelsea and Liverpool FC and the cast of Coronation Street have contributed works - some of which have to be seen to be believed. The band have all completed artworks too so, if you've ever wanted to hang a member of Status Quo, this is your chance - and it's all for a good cause!

Entrance to the auction is strictly by invitation only, but from 1 October all of the paintings will be viewable via the Quo, Coutts and Bonhams websites.

Online bidding for all lots will be available exclusively on The Prince's Trust website:
www.princes-trust.org.uk/statusquo

Online bidding will finish at midday on the day of the Bonhams auction and the highest bids transferred to the auction room at midday on 5th November (the highest bidders online will be given the opportunity to continue bidding). The master of ceremonies will be Paul Gambaccini and on the night eight of the lots will go under the hammer and the rest sold by silent auction. With a mixture of household names, the band themselves and some up and coming young British artists this is a collection like none other - see below for full list.

"Pictures: 40 Years of Hits" itself is a retrospective collection. Each differing format version of the album, released on 3rd November 2008 through UMTV, offers a varied configuration of content. The 4CD 'Earbook' will contain all 75 UK singles (including the band's forthcoming first ever Christmas single 'It's Christmas Time') and a 120-page full colour book featuring all the auctioned artworks.

The 2008 "Pictures: 40 Years Of Hits" auction, album releases and a full UK Winter tour offer the chance to be part of the anniversary party for true legends of the rock world - put yourself in the frame!

Press Release 01-10-08