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Post by smokie on May 31, 2017 14:23:59 GMT
I know what you mean @inna and I just about agree with all of that.
I think there's highs and lows throughout the year with this band and at the moment, I think it's one of the lows. By that I mean, a quiet ish period.
Although they have been out there playing, they've not really been on the road for all that long and as things pick up, I'm sure activity on here will do so also.
I've not posted much of late and that's only because I've not had too much to say and anything that I would have said, I've probably said it already and I don't like repeating myself. I don't like repeating myself.
Admire the ones who haven't stopped and have kept this board alive during this period.
Thank you
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mortified
Administrator
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Post by mortified on Jun 1, 2017 5:40:51 GMT
I have no doubt whatsoever that interest in the band has waned on forums like this. Your average Quo punter who has better things to do than argue the toss about them is still out there and still going to gigs etc. However, Rick's passing has resulted in many 'die-hards' losing interest and finally giving up. Frankly, its something many of them should have done years ago. But there is a general apathy about. There's no longer anything to argue the toss about. Nothing new is happening. I met one person at the Rhino gig (who shall remain anonymous ) who has been out there for over 40 years giving it his all but he cannot stick the Aquostic stuff. So he goes under sufferance with his good lady. Because he has to! I think there might be a lot of that about. But like I said before, we're no longer the market. 2017 feels like a tidying up of some loose ends. I fear for 2018. Once I've done a few more Aquostic gigs this year I might have had enough myself. I don't blame the band for carrying on. In fact what they're doing now they're very good at and it's entertaining - up to a point. But no new material and an Aquostic set that is likely to become as predictable as the electric one doesn't fill me with any enthusiasm. It may seem odd bearing in mind what Status Quo have become synonymous for with Joe Public but I like change when it comes to music. And this band have constantly evolved and kept me interested. That evolution seems to have stopped. The only innovation recently has come from Mr Edwards and his band(s) and its been like a breath of fresh air. I have no doubt that if it was more popular he'd seriously think about going it alone. He must be bored out of his tree. Here, is this me announcing some sort of retirement? Wish I had a Quo pension for my dedication over the years. Be worth a fortune
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Post by snakelady on Jun 2, 2017 7:58:46 GMT
It's probably a variety of things that come together for us to not feel the same about the band any longer. The loss of Rick, the way they've kept going on afterwards, the stagnant electric set, the rather disappointing A2, ..
Guess last year's admittedly great LNOTE tour was interpreted wrongly and in various ways: That fans are going to the gigs with or without Rick, that we're happily buying tickets - selling out huge arenas - no matter the set, .. Same goes for the Roundhouse and the first acoustic set.
In reality things are very different. We all went to see them, because we thought that it was our last chance of an electric Quo gig - despite the fact Rick wasn't there and despite the fact the set was beyond boring already. And Rick was still alive, so we were hoping he'd be back for acoustic gigs eventually. With his death everything changed. Personally I'd have preferred it, had the band taken say a year off and only played a memorial gig for Rick, the way I've described in the memorial thread. And then returned with a completely different set -taking out Rick's songs, maybe apart from one played in memory of him, letting the others sing their own songs ..
The way it was handled you couldn't help but feel they gave in to the greed of promoters, but maybe didn't really want to do it or didn't care. That did a lot to diminish our enthusiasm too. Plus if the gigs now are just another electric gig the set suddenly becomes important. More than they obviously are able to imagine. I'm sure they'll go down a storm at GLasto and Wacken and wherever else they're playing as these are non-Quo crowds who'll wrap up the hits and Quo are a great live band. But they are losing the fans again and that's a sad feeling - to be shown you've become completely unimportant.
It's similar with the acoustic stuff. The Roundhouse was such a success, made A1 such a success because of the magic atmosphere created by the location and the fans. If the audience hadn't been a real Quo audience, who knew every word to every song, when to cheer and when to be quiet the band could've played the best gig in the world and it would've fallen flat (see Montreux). Now if the next acoustic set will try to cater to the general public a la Hyde Park too it might sell, once, but the fans will leave again and the atmosphere will die for it (apart from during WYW, ITAN and RAOTW . same as usual).
Is it really all merely business decisions ?
The band has a very loyal following who'll show up wherever whenever, if their wishes are taken into consideration just a little bit. If the set though sends the message 'we don't need you any longer', we'll stay away. What a shame and what a waste ..
Now all I can do is hope for next year and that something's going to change then - drastically.
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Post by smokie on Jun 2, 2017 8:16:49 GMT
However, Rick's passing has resulted in many 'die-hards' losing interest and finally giving up. Frankly, its something many of them should have done years ago. But there is a general apathy about. There's no longer anything to argue the toss about. Nothing new is happening. I agree with most in that post but particularly these two points.
Just to be clear, I'm not directing this at anyone on here but I think exactly that too. I remember the old board where as soon as you saw the poster's name, you knew precisely what their post was going to be about and that got tiresome in the end. I know there's one or two on here who have decided that the way the band is now isn't for them but they've always been respectful and considerate of others who still want to follow the band. I appreciate that.
Apathy? Absolutely! snakelady sums it much better than I ever could but this apathy has been created by the band/management who have made a conscious decision to take what is left of the hard core for granted.
Ever the optimist, I'm still hoping for a change of heart by the band and they might, just might freshen up the live set.
It's Never Too Late.
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Post by smokie on Jun 2, 2017 8:26:07 GMT
It's similar with the acoustic stuff. The Roundhouse was such a success, made A1 such a success because of the magic atmosphere created by the location and the fans. If the audience hadn't been a real Quo audience, who knew every word to every song, when to cheer and when to be quiet the band could've played the best gig in the world and it would've fallen flat (see Montreux). Now if the next acoustic set will try to cater to the general public a la Hyde Park too it might sell, once, but the fans will leave again and the atmosphere will die for it (apart from during WYW, ITAN and RAOTW . same as usual). I think that is an excellent post Kathrin, absolutely spot on.
That's a marvellous point about the crowd at the Roundhouse that I hadn't thought about before. That was one time where the band relied upon their fan base and I don't think there's any doubt that they contributed massively to the success of the night.
Had the audience been made up of "the casuals" then the atmosphere would not have been what it was. Play it back and listen to the reception that the seldom played or never songs receive.
It will be interesting to see how they are received at Glastonbury.
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mortified
Administrator
This is no' gettin' the bairn a shirt
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Post by mortified on Jun 2, 2017 10:03:21 GMT
In reality things are very different. We all went to see them, because we thought that it was our last chance of an electric Quo gig - despite the fact Rick wasn't there and despite the fact the set was beyond boring already. And Rick was still alive, so we were hoping he'd be back for acoustic gigs eventually. With his death everything changed.... It's similar with the acoustic stuff. The Roundhouse was such a success, made A1 such a success because of the magic atmosphere created by the location and the fans. If the audience hadn't been a real Quo audience, who knew every word to every song, when to cheer and when to be quiet the band could've played the best gig in the world and it would've fallen flat.... The band has a very loyal following who'll show up wherever whenever, if their wishes are taken into consideration just a little bit....the set though sends the message 'we don't need you any longer'.... Some very well expressed points which sort of mirror my own. These I've left in the quote. I don't think the band or their management have 'needed' the hard core fans for quite a long time now. However, they were happy enough to take advantage of the Frantic Four reunion which was marketed to cater for 'lapsed' fans as well as existing ones. Selective need or 'business'? Perhaps they're the same thing. The Roundhouse was packed full of Quo fans. And I mean long term fans who know the back catalogue inside out. Hearing everyone in the crowd singing songs like Reason For Living and Na Na Na was sheer joy. And I loved every minute of it. But I never ever saw it as the long term plan it has become. Capitalising on success is one thing; milking it till it can barely walk and has to go to the abattoir is something else. Everything did change after Rick's passing. I can only assume that best laid plans also changed. No way did they ignore or take Rick's death lightly but there must have been a sit round the table to discuss 'what the fvck do we do now?'. Did you think it was forever? Well, now you know
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Post by smokie on Jun 2, 2017 12:20:11 GMT
In reality things are very different. We all went to see them, because we thought that it was our last chance of an electric Quo gig - despite the fact Rick wasn't there and despite the fact the set was beyond boring already. And Rick was still alive, so we were hoping he'd be back for acoustic gigs eventually. With his death everything changed.... It's similar with the acoustic stuff. The Roundhouse was such a success, made A1 such a success because of the magic atmosphere created by the location and the fans. If the audience hadn't been a real Quo audience, who knew every word to every song, when to cheer and when to be quiet the band could've played the best gig in the world and it would've fallen flat.... The band has a very loyal following who'll show up wherever whenever, if their wishes are taken into consideration just a little bit....the set though sends the message 'we don't need you any longer'.... milking it till it can barely walk and has to go to the abattoir is something else. Think that's the best analogy (if that's what is ) that I've ever read!
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Post by Rick Roper on Jun 5, 2017 15:05:00 GMT
I feel like I'm in a vacuum I guess. I've been a fan since '77, and yes, Rick has always been my hero and favourite Band member. But I have always had a lot of respect for ALL Band-members. And that includes Richie - It's both his worst scenario and his dream come true at the same time. I admire him for having the balls to step into Rick's role. I really didn't fancy the acoustic gigs at all, it just ain't my thing... But Rick's untimely death really was a finality for me I guess. I don't feel that I could view any new material as "Status Quo" material, as Rick's sound was an intrinsic part of all that was the "classic Quo" sound. I guess over the last (good few) years, I've bought product just to complete the collection, but I have now drawn a line.
If the Band continues, it's just the dying embers of a once great outfit. They've been there, done it, bought the T-Shirt - But I do now feel that the horse being flogged is well and truly buggered, cold and dead... If it did have a pulse, I would say that it needed shooting, but that time has passed for me. I feel awful writing these words, but it is unfortunately time for me to cut ties with the current Band known as Status Quo, in terms of buying new product (apart from Rick's as-yet unreleased songs). To me it's like standing by a dying Grandparent and knowing when to switch the life support off - Quo have been my "Family" since I first got into music, they've been there most of my life. Saying goodbye to them will be as hard as losing a family member.
I am, and will always be, a massive fan of the Band as was before Rick's death, and will still take part in discussions on here... But obviously there's a cut-off date to what I feel I can engage with, and that date is 24th. December 2016.
Rick Roper.
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LOZ
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BEEP BEEP YOU WONT CATCH ME.
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Post by LOZ on Jun 5, 2017 17:34:43 GMT
I know what you mean @inna and I just about agree with all of that.
I think there's highs and lows throughout the year with this band and at the moment, I think it's one of the lows. By that I mean, a quiet ish period.
Although they have been out there playing, they've not really been on the road for all that long and as things pick up, I'm sure activity on here will do so also.
I've not posted much of late and that's only because I've not had too much to say and anything that I would have said, I've probably said it already and I don't like repeating myself. I don't like repeating myself.
Admire the ones who haven't stopped and have kept this board alive during this period.
Thank you
ya don't need quo to visit here, just talk bollox like me...... I got an ology in it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2017 14:59:29 GMT
Some great posts in this thread. I don't necessarily feel the same way as some of those who have posted but I can appreciate good posts when I see them. Quo is undeniably different now than it was a year or so back, Rick's passing was always going to have that impact. There's enough Quo left in there for me though to ultimately still have that connection and more importantly, to get that buzz when I see them live. So long as I still get that buzz I'll keep going and to that end I hope the band also keep going...........and going..........and going
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frozenhero
Administrator
Drop-D beautiful
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Post by frozenhero on Jun 6, 2017 20:40:53 GMT
...in terms of buying new product (apart from Rick's as-yet unreleased songs)... Well, if any of the band can muster up some new songs, I'm interested. After all Rick was not the main writer in Quo for a long time, though I think his contributions on the last three albums were largely excellent. Otherwise I echo everybody else's sentiments.
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Post by smokie on Jun 6, 2017 21:27:37 GMT
I know what you mean @inna and I just about agree with all of that.
I think there's highs and lows throughout the year with this band and at the moment, I think it's one of the lows. By that I mean, a quiet ish period.
Although they have been out there playing, they've not really been on the road for all that long and as things pick up, I'm sure activity on here will do so also.
I've not posted much of late and that's only because I've not had too much to say and anything that I would have said, I've probably said it already and I don't like repeating myself. I don't like repeating myself.
Admire the ones who haven't stopped and have kept this board alive during this period.
Thank you
ya don't need quo to visit here, just talk bollox like me...... I got an ology in it. Don't be so hard on yourself Loz! You're always worth reading (as long as it's not about Donny )
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