Rachel Watts talks about reunions and Status Quo.
Chances are, your favourite bands from yesteryear are either in the process of, or already have, reformed. Spandau Ballet are one of the latest big 80s name to reform, tour and release new material, the band seeming to have put all their problems behind them.
For other bands, it’s not quite so amicable. UB40 for instance, carried on without Ali Campbell when he left in 2008, replacing him with older brother Duncan. Ali is now reunited with former bandmates Astro and Mickey, have a new album Silhouette, and are back touring, but have been hit with legal action to prevent the use of the iconic UB40 name.
A situation like this will always cause conflict amongst the fans. Who do they go to see? Who do they support? Who is right? Who is wrong? Can you be fans of both??
The South find themselves in a similar situation, a relatively newly formed band which relies on its connection with the now defunct Beautiful South. At least it is clear to the fans which line up they are going to be seeing at the gigs though, especially as Paul Heaton is now back performing with his old band mate Jacqui Abbott.
Surprisingly, rock legends Status Quo are proving to be masters of reunions. They are in a somewhat unique position of having completed two hugely successful reunion tours with the original, classic line up, Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, John Coghlan and Alan Lancaster, affectionately known as the Frantic Four, whilst continuing to tour and record with their current line-up
Bass player Lancaster was replaced with John ‘Rhino’ Edwards back in 1986, whilst drummer Coghlan has been replaced with a string of different drummers over the years, with newcomer Leon Cave currently in place. A reunion had always seemed an impossible dream for fans; Rossi and Lancaster had barely spoken since Lancaster left the band back in the 80s. Their last stage performance together was when they opened Live Aid in 1985. Lancaster took legal action against Rossi and Parfitt, but lost his attempts to stop them from using the name Status Quo without him.
Relations improved to the point where they undertook short reunion tours in 2013 and 2014; the latter being called The Final Fling, giving a strong indication that it will not be repeated. For some fans this situation is the best of both worlds, having been able to see both line-ups perform over the last two years. For some it has simply affirmed which version of the band they support, but the debate between fans will no doubt continue
The current line-up are back in the UK album charts with Aquostic (Stripped Bare), a collection of reworked Quo hits and fans favourites, giving them their biggest album hit album since their 1996 30th Anniversary album, Don’t Stop, which peaked at number two.
Showing no sign of letting age slow them down, dates have now been announced for a series of Aquostic shows in April 2015 where they will be performing tracks from the new album. Tickets go on sale on Friday 5th December, including one night at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Status Quo are currently on their annual Winter tour, and will be back in Birmingham on Saturday 13th December; visiting Broad Street’s NIA, a change from their usual show at the LG Arena. Tickets for this and other tour dates can be found on their official web page: www.statusquo.co.uk