Bob Young - memorabilia
2006 This is the English translation of the foreword I wrote for Philippe Duponteil & Philippe Robins French language Quo biography
FOREW0RD for Philippe Duponteil & Philippe Robins French language Quo Biography
Little did I know when I first met Francis Rossi in 1968 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London that 39 years later, in Status Quo’s 41st year as a band, we would still be friends and writing songs together.
My 12 years on the road with them as tour manager is a relatively short period compared to one or two other crew members since but a lot of ground breaking experiences would happen in those early years and throughout the 70’s.
Theirs is a true boys to men story which I’m happy and proud to have contributed to and played a small part in.
The first number one, the first million record sales, the first American, Australian, Japanese and European tours. Once the Continual World Tour began there was no stopping us. For Quo it has been a 40 plus years roller coaster ride of epic proportions which continues to this day, while along the way picking up record sales, industry awards and achievements matched by few other artists in music business history.
Quo, without planning it, broke the rules and created a style both musically and image wise which has been copied and adapted over the years by many. Compare the splendid, current and very cool Kings of Leon to Status Quo in their ‘Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon’ album period. Just one good example….
Although they have recorded over thirty albums in their four decades it’s always been the live work and touring side that has been the backbone of the band. It’s estimated they have played over 5,500 shows around the world. It would be very difficult to list a personal favourite Top Twenty as there have been so many memorable highlights including the Glasgow Apollo in 1976, Milton Keynes ‘End of the Road’ show in 1984, Live Aid in 85’ and most shows on the first Australian tour 1973. The list is quite endless…..
The early 70’s were also spent playing continually in many European countries, gradually breaking down the barriers and eventually selling enormous amounts of records and tickets.
France holds many special memories for Quo, whether touring in the middle of a hard winter or enjoying the summer sunshine and fun in the South. The promoter there was a fine man called Pascal Bernadin who totally believed in the band and was an important part of their success in your country. The Paris Olympia and the Hippodrome were amongst the favourite places to play (and The Crazy Horse to visit of course...). I seem to remember too we were in Poitiers in 1973 on a lengthy French tour when we heard that ‘Down Down’ had gone to Number One in the British charts. A memorable moment in the history of the band.
I believe the success we had in France spread far and wide and really helped in some other French speaking territories such as Switzerland and Belgium which continue to this day to have huge Quo followings.
I’m very happy to write the foreword to this new French language book and hope it brings back many good memories for the fans who were there at the time, a snapshot of Quo’s fantastic success in your country for those maybe too young to remember and as a happy reminder to you all of the special bond which grew between Status Quo and their French audiences.
BOB YOUNG 25th March 2005
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