rocker
Born To Be Wild
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Post by rocker on Jan 12, 2018 21:19:32 GMT
I was lucky to see Status Quo last year at the Brentwood Festival in Essex and thoroughly enjoyed an excellent show. It was a really good show and everyone including me, my wife, son and daughter had a great time. I still love the music and I have been following the band for far too long to lose interest now, but, and I can't quite put this into words really, something just doesn't seem or feel right referring to the band as Status Quo at the moment. For me, I think the problem is that there hasn't been any kind of proper recognition of Rick from the way the band has carried on, almost as if nothing has happened. The "late spring" announcement of 2017 that never was did not help matters. I don't think I have done a very good job of translating my thoughts into words...
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Jan 13, 2018 9:06:52 GMT
I can sort of see where you're coming from. The only one who has really said anything of any consequence or touching about Rick's passing has been Rhino who's done it through his blog. Francis answers questions (sort of) when put on the spot but nothing particularly deep or revealing. Just the sort of person he is. I can respect that approach as much as Rhino's. But officially, apart from the obituary on the Quo website, we haven't had a lot. Although I'm not sure what else they're supposed to say. The release of Rick's album of solo material will possibly remedy that and bring him back into the limelight. I saw the band twice last year (one Aquostic and one, eh, plugged in) and thoroughly enjoyed both gigs. And although Rick wasn't there it still felt like Quo to me. I have always felt that the material carries the whole thing, mainly because I spend so little time actually watching the stage. I'm too busy trying to bring on the onset of early dementia by shaking my head till it nearly falls off At the end of the day, had Rick passed away suddenly while on tour with the band as opposed to having already been 'replaced' so they could fulfil commitments, I think the situation might have been different. He didn't want to die on stage; that has almost become his mantra we've heard it so often. But had he done, I wonder how that would have panned out?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2018 11:12:57 GMT
I get where you're coming from. I guess to a degree it depends on what you feel Quo is. With my common sense head on I think they've every right to continue to call themselves Quo. Rossi, Bown and Edwards having the 100+ years between them (give or take), must surely give them that? Some fans would argue it's not been Quo since '82, maybe '85. If Quo for you was those 4 individuals (FF) then it wouldn't feel right being called Quo since they went their separate ways. Personally, Quo for me was Frame and Rick so it doesn't feel right but that's not to say it isn't, feelings are very much a personal thing. The fact of the matter is that they are still Status Quo, our legal system will confirm that. Hard for me to add much more. More than anything else I'm in the space of 'not really arsed either way'. It's a name, not worth getting worked up about. Music's still great, that comes first, second and third to me.
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Post by snakelady on Jan 26, 2018 7:36:10 GMT
That's how I see it as well. If it were just Francis and four newbies the name wouldn't make that much sense any longer. It would indeed be FR's Quo, same as Andy Scott's Sweet or John Lees' BJH. But Rhino and even more so Andy have been band members for decades - longer than most bands exist. Andy first played with them in 73 ! So that's three very long term members and all of them songwriters too, thus having influenced the musical direction the band has been taking, whether we like it or not. In consequence the choice of name is down to them, they sure have earned the right to not being criticised for it. And as Marc says, it's the music that counts. As long as that's to my liking I'll keep following them, if not I'll leave again - Status Quo or not - but I'll always give them a second chance. Easy really ..
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Jan 26, 2018 9:48:36 GMT
There are quite a few bands with either just one or two original members. Wishbone Ash for one. Uriah Heep for another. And look at Deep Purple. They've gone through singers and guitarists over the years like I've gone through packets of chocolate digestives. Always remained a cracking band though and always Deep Purple to me.
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Post by snakelady on Jan 27, 2018 8:47:53 GMT
There are quite a few bands with either just one or two original members. Wishbone Ash for one. Uriah Heep for another. And look at Deep Purple. They've gone through singers and guitarists over the years like I've gone through packets of chocolate digestives. Always remained a cracking band though and always Deep Purple to me. Well, the Heep that's been existing since the 80s isn't Uriah Heep for me anymore. It's an old band too now and has recorded various albums and certainly has a number of fans, but with the two main men missing - Ken and David - it's definitely a different band. Again it's just a name though and I don't mind their using it. If you only go for Lady In Black you'll get a version of that and can leave happily too. They were OK as support for Quo, but not a patch on the 70s band (and they were forced to include various bass players too even back then, but that wasn't important). Purple had been changing the line-up from the start nearly, so with them personnel has never mattered to me, I simply liked their music and whether Hush, Hush or Highway Star were played by different guys was simply immaterial. As far as I'm concerned Purple dissolved mid-70s though and I've no idea who reunited and when as I haven't bought an album since. So what I'm saying is, it's all about the music with these bands too.
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Jan 27, 2018 9:19:43 GMT
To a certain degree, fans become irrelevant. Not totally, of course, but fans who hold on to a particular line up to the exclusion of any other become irrelevant because new fans take their place. The bottom line for any band is to be able to record and perform regardless of changes in personnel, especially over decades.
As an extreme example, look at Take That. After Robbie Williams left, there was still a huge market for them. No one member is bigger than the band and that would have to include Francis. Of course, like the topic starter, it just didn't 'feel' the same to many. But as long as there are replacements in the audience - and there always are - it doesn't actually matter except for discussion groups like this one.
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Post by fisherman on Mar 22, 2018 21:55:18 GMT
I'll see them on 30th June. The first time without Rick. Mixed feelings now. Sad, but on the other hand happy to see/hear Status Quo again live. Everything's possible. Probably shedding tears, rocking and still being proud of my fav-band. However, still Status Quo.
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Post by insider on Mar 27, 2018 7:55:09 GMT
Status Quo without Rick is different, but with Francis it is still Status Quo. I heard some tracks for the new Quo album due for release in 2019 and they are amazing. Francis' voice just gets better with age. Let's be honest, it has been almost 20 years since Rick had much input, or played much, on a Quo album. Just go to the shows and enjoy the time they have left.
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Mar 27, 2018 10:13:57 GMT
Status Quo without Rick is different.... Of course it is. Quo without Spud was different; without Nuff it was different. But still Quo nonetheless. To me anyway. But I always have to appreciate, though, that there are others who share a totally opposite view. This 'break' from Quo actually feels good. It's the first time in a very long time. Since I used to do the one or two gigs a year in Glasgow so we're talking about 25 years plus. I have a feeling I will have renewed enthusiasm come 2019. Although I may see them at some stage this year. Don't know yet. I'm considering two and will probably chose only the one - if any at all. Rick's solo album feels like the release of a Quo album to me. It just does. I'm a happy bunny at the moment
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Post by snakelady on Mar 28, 2018 6:56:22 GMT
Status Quo without Rick is different.... Of course it is. Quo without Spud was different; without Nuff it was different. But still Quo nonetheless. To me anyway. But I always have to appreciate, though, that there are others who share a totally opposite view. This 'break' from Quo actually feels good. It's the first time in a very long time. Since I used to do the one or two gigs a year in Glasgow so we're talking about 25 years plus. I have a feeling I will have renewed enthusiasm come 2019. Although I may see them at some stage this year. Don't know yet. I'm considering two and will probably chose only the one - if any at all. Rick's solo album feels like the release of a Quo album to me. It just does. I'm a happy bunny at the moment Yes it does and they should've done it last year, but too late for that now. It's good to hear the band is being creative and working on the new album already. They'll return refreshed next year - and so will I. Find that 20 years remark about Rick interesting, as it would mean that after his first bypass OP he wasn't involved much with Quo albums. I'd have thought the last album he really had a hand in was the Party album. So who played rhythm guitar then on all those songs afterwards that weren't written by Rick .. ? Leads to a really heretical question: How much Rick is actually in that new solo album of his ?
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Mar 28, 2018 15:12:23 GMT
Find that 20 years remark about Rick interesting, as it would mean that after his first bypass OP he wasn't involved much with Quo albums. I'd have thought the last album he really had a hand in was the Party album. So who played rhythm guitar then on all those songs afterwards that weren't written by Rick .. ? Leads to a really heretical question: How much Rick is actually in that new solo album of his ? A lot. You can hear it. And I don't think Rick didn't perform on the later Quo albums - the only one he didn't have a writing credit on (besides the cover albums) was Thirsty Work. But it does seem like his role, at least when songwriting and arrangement are concerned, was somewhat diminished. Then again, he produced all of his songs on Bula Quo!, so who knows.
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Post by insider on Mar 29, 2018 5:13:03 GMT
Rhino actually played many of Rick's parts on Under the Influence, and from then on. Generally Francis carried the weight. Even Rick's vocals on the last acoustic album, which are poor, he could not be bothered to come back and redo them despite promising to do so.
On the Rick solo album Rick is the lead vocal and some guitar. Chris, Rhino, and Brian May are most of the string instruments you can hear. Jo Webb's contribution was immense. Rhino did the arrangement on Everybody knows how to fly. Rick was supposed to go back into the studio in Feb 2017 so I guess his intention was to finish the album himself.
You shouldn't believe everything you read on CD covers about who does what, or wrote what. Whatever you Want and Roll Over Lay Down are two examples that immediately spring to mind.
Rick was someone I knew for a long time. Really sweet guy. He was a textbook perfect example of what a rockstar should be in his private and professional life, used to have a great voice, could play guitar remarkably well for someone who never practiced, and had a talent for getting everyone around him to do what he wanted them to do.
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Mar 29, 2018 6:00:45 GMT
Rhino actually played many of Rick's parts on Under the Influence, and from then on. Generally Francis carried the weight. Even Rick's vocals on the last acoustic album, which are poor, he could not be bothered to come back and redo them despite promising to do so. On the Rick solo album Rick is the lead vocal and some guitar. Chris, Rhino, and Brian May are most of the string instruments you can hear. Jo Webb's contribution was immense. Rhino did the arrangement on Everybody knows how to fly. Rick was supposed to go back into the studio in Feb 2017 so I guess his intention was to finish the album himself. You shouldn't believe everything you read on CD covers about who does what, or wrote what. Whatever you Want and Roll Over Lay Down are two examples that immediately spring to mind. Rick was someone I knew for a long time. Really sweet guy. He was a textbook perfect example of what a rockstar should be in his private and professional life, used to have a great voice, could play guitar remarkably well for someone who never practiced, and had a talent for getting everyone around him to do what he wanted them to do. Interesting stuff. Or shouldn't you believe everything you read on a message board? I think we all realised that Rick's contribution had diminished and that the stage was his only source of professional contentment in the end. Whatever he played or didn't play, the vocals on Over And Out are unquestionably him. Digitally enhanced is neither here nor there. I was aware of the Aquostic difficulties, certainly with the first one, and also (presumably only some of) the reasons but have kept it to myself. I can only assume (from what you say) that the second album had almost no Rick on it other than the odd vocal. He is certainly conspicuous by his absence on the album artwork! Rhino alluded to various issues after Rick was gone in his own personal obituary. But it's always going to be hard to come out with 'accusations' after someone is no longer with us. You're in a no win situation when someone is loved as much as Rick was. Francis, to his eternal credit, has remained tight lipped. I actually find myself not really bothering too much. If I like an album, that's the bottom line. Rick may not have liked rehearsing or practising but he obviously did it enough to play new material live from Under The Influence, Heavy Traffic, Party...., Fourth Chord, Quid Pro Quo, Bula Quo! and Aquostic.
And this new solo album, no matter who did what, is a superb legacy. Whether it was by him or for him.
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Post by snakelady on Mar 29, 2018 6:21:26 GMT
Rhino actually played many of Rick's parts on Under the Influence, and from then on. Generally Francis carried the weight. Even Rick's vocals on the last acoustic album, which are poor, he could not be bothered to come back and redo them despite promising to do so. On the Rick solo album Rick is the lead vocal and some guitar. Chris, Rhino, and Brian May are most of the string instruments you can hear. Jo Webb's contribution was immense. Rhino did the arrangement on Everybody knows how to fly. Rick was supposed to go back into the studio in Feb 2017 so I guess his intention was to finish the album himself. You shouldn't believe everything you read on CD covers about who does what, or wrote what. Whatever you Want and Roll Over Lay Down are two examples that immediately spring to mind. Rick was someone I knew for a long time. Really sweet guy. He was a textbook perfect example of what a rockstar should be in his private and professional life, used to have a great voice, could play guitar remarkably well for someone who never practiced, and had a talent for getting everyone around him to do what he wanted them to do. Thanks for confirming , it's about what I thought .. (We know that WYW was Andy and ROLD Francis and Bob )
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cayan
Wild Horse
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Post by cayan on Mar 29, 2018 8:52:36 GMT
If Rhino played Rick parts in some records from 99 onwards, most fans (myself included) have not realized by now despite listening the albums. Does this mean that Rick playing style was not unique and that can be imitated?. It seems that not every band member played on every Quo song, unless maybe the drummer and Bown?
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Mar 29, 2018 10:46:20 GMT
Rick's rhythm technique was unique. Everybody says so. Some winged words, methinks. Let me recapitulate here - we are led to believe that Rick didn't actually play the guitar parts attributed to him on Quo albums from the past 20 years? So other members - or even session musicians - ghosted the parts we have considered to have been recorded by Rick himself, but those musicians weren't given credit on the respective albums because said credits were shared amongst the band members and the income derived from the songs was divided equally to keep Rick and his family in bread? Now that's mind-blowing. Not sure session musicians were mentioned. That's almost a step too far on a Quo album, especially when every other member (at the moment anyway) plays guitar and plays it well. I cannot imagine that Rick has been totally absent since 1999; on recordings at any rate. Demotivated, possibly. Unreliable, undoubtedly. But can you imagine him NOT playing on, say, Shine On? Now THAT would be mind-blowing.
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Post by coldwarkid on Mar 29, 2018 21:03:08 GMT
It's very common practice for bands/producers to use session musicians/other band members to record instrumental parts billed as down to someone else, I've done it myself many many times over the last 40 odd years in the industry. I doubt VERY much that Rick's studio parts were played by anyone else though as his style is so unique and recognisable and Rhino's guitar playing is not exactly of the best, even Freddie who is a very proficient guitarist never came to close to replicating the "Rick sound" live when filling in for him. As for the Aquostic albums, there it's highly likely that on AQ2 Rick had no instrumental involvement as he had fallen out of love with the band and all it entailed completely and accoustic is much easier to hide a style with.
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Post by smokie on Mar 29, 2018 21:27:02 GMT
I think it was when ISOTFC came out that I read that the band sometimes "share" duties and I think Pip may have played on that album too because Francis wasn't there when a guitar part needed recording.
When QPQ was released, I either read or heard an interview with Francis and he responded to a question about how the album sounded as if the whole album sounded as if the band were in the studio, sharing the vibe, feeding off each other etc by saying that "it just wasn't like that".
I think on that album Andy and Rhino are both credited playing "guitars". Ditto the Aquostic albums and I think Leon is given a mention too?
I'm sure that I read that during one recording session for A2, Rick was there but could only play for an hour but he may have been unwell and if he was unwell, then that's all anyone needs to know.
Up until now I haven't given who played what on Rick's album any thought. To my untrained ears, it sounds like Rick, that's good enough for me and as daft as this may sound, I can just picture him rocking out to these great songs.
The only thing that puzzled me about the album is how they managed to get that t-shirt into that small box. Very impressed with that feat.
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Post by snakelady on Mar 30, 2018 6:34:30 GMT
@inna - you may .. For answer see insider's post . I thought that a heart attack that severe and with a quadruple bypass required has it's consequences. Rick may have had the constitution of an ox and he may have made a good recovery, but no way was he the same afterwards, whatever he or the others said. I think a lot of covering up for him has gone on since. What I've always found amazing is how he still managed to play all these great gigs, even with the sets having become relatively short in the last 10 years or so.
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Mar 30, 2018 7:44:09 GMT
I think it was when ISOTFC came out that I read that the band sometimes "share" duties and I think Pip may have played on that album too because Francis wasn't there when a guitar part needed recording. When QPQ was released, I either read or heard an interview with Francis and he responded to a question about how the album sounded as if the whole album sounded as if the band were in the studio, sharing the vibe, feeding off each other etc by saying that "it just wasn't like that". I think on that album Andy and Rhino are both credited playing "guitars". Ditto the Aquostic albums and I think Leon is given a mention too? I'm sure that I read that during one recording session for A2, Rick was there but could only play for an hour but he may have been unwell and if he was unwell, then that's all anyone needs to know. Up until now I haven't given who played what on Rick's album any thought. To my untrained ears, it sounds like Rick, that's good enough for me and as daft as this may sound, I can just picture him rocking out to these great songs. The only thing that puzzled me about the album is how they managed to get that t-shirt into that small box. Very impressed with that feat. One of life's great mysteries. On the subject of shared duties in the studio, I've never really doubted that for a long time. In fact, I'd have expected it. Use every resource you have. But not to the extent that Rick might have been completely absent. I'm now sort of forming the impression that from about Quid Pro Quo onwards, things were a bit fragmented in the studio. The way we know how that album was recorded and piecing together parts of conversations and anecdotes over the years, it may have been becoming difficult to write and record. Certainly as a band. Has Rick been protected all these years and even more so since his passing to preserve his (and the band's) reputation? And would it actually surprise anyone if that was the case? This seems to be the veiled suggestion. And does it matter?
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Post by Rockinon on Mar 30, 2018 9:44:27 GMT
I was lucky to see Status Quo last year at the Brentwood Festival in Essex and thoroughly enjoyed an excellent show. It was a really good show and everyone including me, my wife, son and daughter had a great time. I still love the music and I have been following the band for far too long to lose interest now, but, and I can't quite put this into words really, something just doesn't seem or feel right referring to the band as Status Quo at the moment. For me, I think the problem is that there hasn't been any kind of proper recognition of Rick from the way the band has carried on, almost as if nothing has happened. The "late spring" announcement of 2017 that never was did not help matters. I don't think I have done a very good job of translating my thoughts into words... It may not feel right but does Francis Rossi not have a right to earn a living the only way he knows how? and why would he not use the name he is legally entitled to? The questions do not necessarily reflect my views but they are worthy of consideration (possibly a touch of devils advocate). I asked the same questions elsewhere and was totally harangued and banned Status Quo fans indeed!
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Post by coldwarkid on Mar 30, 2018 9:51:56 GMT
I was lucky to see Status Quo last year at the Brentwood Festival in Essex and thoroughly enjoyed an excellent show. It was a really good show and everyone including me, my wife, son and daughter had a great time. I still love the music and I have been following the band for far too long to lose interest now, but, and I can't quite put this into words really, something just doesn't seem or feel right referring to the band as Status Quo at the moment. For me, I think the problem is that there hasn't been any kind of proper recognition of Rick from the way the band has carried on, almost as if nothing has happened. The "late spring" announcement of 2017 that never was did not help matters. I don't think I have done a very good job of translating my thoughts into words... It may not feel right but does Francis Rossi not have a right to earn a living the only way he knows how? and why would he not use the name he is legally entitled to? The questions do not necessarily reflect my views but they are worthy of consideration (possibly a touch of devils advocate). I asked the same questions elsewhere and was totally harangued and banned Status Quo fans indeed! Of course he's entitled to call the band Status Quo and indeed he should, it's what the ticket buying and music buying call it and to change it would serve no purpose at all. Status Quo are in the same position as many heritage acts, band members leave and now sadly die but the desire of original members still to perform and make music is still there and of course there is a still a considerable demand to see the band live in its present form.
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Post by Rockinon on Mar 30, 2018 10:00:26 GMT
It may not feel right but does Francis Rossi not have a right to earn a living the only way he knows how? and why would he not use the name he is legally entitled to? The questions do not necessarily reflect my views but they are worthy of consideration (possibly a touch of devils advocate). I asked the same questions elsewhere and was totally harangued and banned Status Quo fans indeed! Of course he's entitled to call the band Status Quo and indeed he should, it's what the ticket buying and music buying call it and to change it would serve no purpose at all. Status Quo are in the same position as many heritage acts, band members leave and now sadly die but the desire of original members still to perform and make music is still there and of course there is a still a considerable demand to see the band live in its present form. Personally speaking I think the desire you speak of is to continue to make money only. I don't think there is any artistic desire in the locker at all. But that is pretty much my point, everyone is entitled to make a living by using their skills. Total condemnation of present band members surely cannot be justified. You either go with it or you don't. Everyone has a choice,
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Post by Rockinon on Mar 30, 2018 10:10:20 GMT
I was lucky to see Status Quo last year at the Brentwood Festival in Essex and thoroughly enjoyed an excellent show. It was a really good show and everyone including me, my wife, son and daughter had a great time. I still love the music and I have been following the band for far too long to lose interest now, but, and I can't quite put this into words really, something just doesn't seem or feel right referring to the band as Status Quo at the moment. For me, I think the problem is that there hasn't been any kind of proper recognition of Rick from the way the band has carried on, almost as if nothing has happened. The "late spring" announcement of 2017 that never was did not help matters. I don't think I have done a very good job of translating my thoughts into words... I have a theory that they would have arranged a suitable tribute to Rick but "others" didn't allow it to happen by pushing ahead with their own things, therefore undermining it and making it less meaningful. Probably forced its abandonment.
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