Francis Rossi

Like many people of my generation, I grew up with Status Quo songs constantly appearing on the radio, television and seemingly every jukebox in the country.

While I wasn’t the world’s biggest Quo fan, I certainly enjoyed their music and had previously seen them live at the SECC many years ago. Their combination of boogie rock, big choruses and sheer longevity earned them a place in British music history that few bands can match.

So when I managed to get hold of a last-minute ticket to see Francis Rossi, I thought it would be interesting to hear some of the stories behind those songs from the man who had lived them.

It turned out to be a very good decision.

Unlike a traditional Status Quo concert, this was as much about storytelling as it was about music. Rossi spent the evening alternating between songs and anecdotes, giving the audience a fascinating glimpse into the band’s long and often chaotic history.

Unfortunately for anyone hoping for extensive footage, there was one small problem.

Francis had imposed a very strict no-filming and no-photography policy.

Normally, that sort of thing is kryptonite to BillyWatson.tv, but on this occasion I decided to behave myself. Well, mostly. I did manage to capture a very short clip before returning to the business of actually watching the show.

The real attraction, however, was hearing Rossi talk.

Over the years Status Quo accumulated enough stories to fill several lifetimes, and Francis proved to be a natural storyteller. His tales were funny, self-deprecating and often surprisingly candid. There was none of the polished mythology that sometimes accompanies veteran rock stars. Instead, it felt like listening to someone reminiscing about an extraordinary life over a pint.

One story in particular stood out.

Rossi explained how the band ended up recording Wild Side of Life, the country song that unexpectedly became one of Status Quo’s biggest hits. Like many of the best stories from rock history, it demonstrated how some of the most successful moments happen almost by accident rather than through careful planning.

Hearing the background to songs you’ve known for decades adds a whole new dimension to them.

The music itself was excellent too.

Stripped of the full-band bombast associated with Quo’s arena performances, the songs took on a different character. It allowed the songwriting to shine through and gave the audience a chance to appreciate just how many memorable tunes Rossi has been involved with over the years.

The atmosphere throughout the evening was warm and relaxed. Rather than feeling like a concert, it often felt like a gathering of old friends listening to stories from a life spent travelling the world with one of Britain’s most successful rock bands.

Looking back, the lack of footage hardly mattered.

Sometimes it’s nice to attend a show without worrying about cameras, batteries or recording angles. Instead, I simply sat back and enjoyed the stories, the songs and the company of a man who has spent over fifty years at the heart of British rock and roll.

The short clip below is all I managed to capture, but perhaps that’s fitting.

Some evenings are better remembered than recorded.

And this was definitely one of them.