Francis Rossi, famous for being part of band Status Quo, has given an indication that he does not think the band will play another live performance again after their current tour. Status Quo formed in 1962, and have since become one of the most prolific touring bands in history. They are scheduled to play in Europe and the UK over the coming months, with the final announced show in Vivary Park in Taunton, Somerset on August 23. Rossi has informed the Mirror that he expects this to be their last ever tour.
Rossi commented, “I don’t think we will go again, and as far as the rest of the band are concerned, it’s the last tour too. I just can’t see us doing it one more time”. Explaining why he has kept the potential end for the group low-key, he added, “I didn’t want to put this current tour out, saying it’s the last one ever. I did it once and was then coerced into coming back, but that’s another whole other fucking story”.
When asked if there was the possibility of doing more tours, he stated, “who knows they might offer a huge amount of money to do the Quo again but I don’t think so. I am hesitant to call it the last ever, but I just can’t see it continuing to be honest”. The full list of remaining Status Quo live dates can be found online, with any remaining tickets available through Ticketmaster.
Rossi’s Quo partner, Rick Parfitt, passed away on Christmas Eve 2016 from sepsis after being taken to the hospital for a shoulder injury. He was 68 years old and had been with the band since its formation. Two years after his passing, Chris Wolstenholme of Muse shared an essay about Parfitt, describing him as his “hero”.
He explained one particular instance in 1997, where he was invited along to Status Quo’s soundcheck in Plymouth. “On the day Rick was unwell and couldn’t do the soundcheck,” he said. “Whilst I was disappointed, something incredible then happened. I was asked to fill in for him and took to the stage to play his parts, on his guitar! Quo and I ran through ‘Don’t Waste My Time’, though I knew the material so well, I could have done the whole set. I’d joined Muse by that stage, but we were still unsigned, and at the age of 17, it was the most incredible musical experience of my life”.
Alan Lancaster, Quo’s founding bassist, passed away in Sydney, Australia in September 2021 aged 72
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