*** Status Quo Rockin All Over The World - Guitaristpage.com

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The origins of Status Quo were in the rock and roll freakbeat band "The Spectres" formed in 1962. Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster met at Sedgehill Comprehensive School, Catford, and were members of the same orchestra. Rossi and Lancaster played their first gig at the Samuel Jones Sports Club in Dulwich, London.

In 1963 they added drummer John Coghlan. They began writing their own material and after a year met Rick Parfitt who was playing with a cabaret band called The Highlights. By the end of 1965 Rossi and Parfitt, who had become close friends, made a commitment to continue working together.

On 18 July 1966 The Spectres signed a five-year deal with Piccadilly Records, releasing two singles that year, "I (Who Have Nothing)" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (written by Alan Lancaster), and one the next year called "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" (a song originally recorded by New York psychedelic band The Blues Magoos). All three singles failed to make an impact on the charts.

After two well-received but relatively poor selling albums in 1970 and 1971, their major breakthrough came when they signed with the heavy rock and progressive label Vertigo.

Their first album for Vertigo, Piledriver was released in 1972, and heralded an even heavier, self-produced sound. This album was essentially the stylistic template for each album they released up until Blue for You in 1976.

During this period, and throughout the rest of the 1970s, they became one of the UK's leading rock bands, gaining a faithful following due to their relentless touring and energetic live gigs. Quo's more popular songs from this era include "Paper Plane" (1972), "Caroline" (1973), "Down Down" (1975), "Rockin' All Over the World" (1977) and "Whatever You Want" (1979). "Down Down" topped the UK Singles Chart in January 1975, becoming their only UK number one single to date.

In 1976, they signed a pioneering sponsorship deal with Levi's. Quo have now sold in excess of 118 million records worldwide.

Rossi and Parfitt were awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours 2010 for their services to music. Their long-standing work for charities includes The Prince's Trust, British Heart Foundation and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

Classic Rock magazine reported on 17 March 2010 that the band has patched up their relationship with Alan Lancaster, and are discussing the possibility of a collaboration in the future.

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".

The release of the band's complete BBC television and radio recordings has been announced. A box set of sessions, live concerts and TV appearances was released on 25 October 2010, titled Live at the BBC.

Their twenty ninth studio album, Quid Pro Quo, was released in a deluxe format exclusively at Tesco on 30 May 2011. The regular edition will be released elsewhere on 7 June. The album charted at number 10 in the UK charts.

Excerpt from "Pictures of Matchstick Men" drives the beat of a Target Corporation TV spot Summer 2011.

December 2011 will see Status Quo undertake their first all arenas UK winter tour. Quo will also perform their first ever gig at the O2 arena in London. The tour is dubbed 'Quofest' and will see Roy Wood and Kim Wilde as support for all shows.

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