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Post by townsvillequo on May 11, 2016 21:18:39 GMT
That's my take on it. The line up back then made the Quo name into something famous that still carries weight today. Following line-ups have lost Global markets and music wise the general perception is they don't come close to the 70's line up for studio output. The live performance has lacked variety without a 3rd singer . Im guessing Francis doesn't care too much about that.
Around 1985 AL still held big hopes and interest for Quo to return to stronger music and also to reignite waning Global interest. On the other hand I think Francis was happy to be away from AL's ambitions and exploring lighter style music.
So Iam not too sure why Francis turned his back on stronger music in favor of lighter poppy style ? Iam thinking what AL said might be correct. He said Francis didn't want to put the same amount of effort into their music anymore. Apparently the lighter music is easier to do.
It does make sense. I mean if one can earn good income from putting in less effort then it is very tempting. On the other hand fame and some fortune may have gone out the window. But its a trade off Francis must have thought worthwhile . Obviously AL didn't think so and it took Rick a time to adjust but adjust he did.
Still in all I think Francis must have some regrets about what might have been. Quo may have gone on to crack USA had they gone back heavier when AL wanted them to. They could have ended up like ACDC in that regard. Probably just needed the right manager or right contact in the USA. Just look at how clever ACDC was writing a song with the lyric 'I feel safe in New York City'. What Iam saying is there are ways to crack the US market but I don't think Quo gave themselves the best chance.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 8:39:45 GMT
Much of that post has been covered, at least by me, in various ways in other threads on the forum  I agree completely about the loss of a third singer though. With no disrespect to Rhino, Alan is a much better singer than him and as part of the original four fitted like a glove to the style of music that in turn lends itself to the Quo songs that featured his singing. Sometimes overlooked, but I think that the reunions also proved another thing in that Alan might have struggled as a player through the unfortunate limits placed on him - but his voice is as excellent as it ever was. Arguably, even better in my opinion. I would be very happy to see a return from him to some kind of semi retirement role even if it meant his role was restricted to song-writing and singing As far as cracking the States is concerned, I do wonder if greater access given to Alan's singing might have also been a key to greater success. We will never know. |
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Post by lazypokerblues on May 12, 2016 8:58:54 GMT
I've just reminded myself that up to 1985, Status Quo live had 3 front men. They all had their own songs to sing, and we saw them as three equal partners.
On TOTP, it was mainly Francis who was seen as the lead singer, but for those of us who bought the albums and went to the gigs, we knew it was the three of them.
And I guess that's how they saw it as well because the Final Gigs t-shirts from Crystal Palace and Milton Keynes emphasised the three of them. There was a t-shirt with them playing guitars in front of a wall of vox amps, and there is another one with three guitars leaning up against a signpost.
The important thing here is - aside from the grey EOTR t-shirt which had all 5 of them on there - there was an acknowledgement that Pete and Andy were not the main players.
So in 1986, that way of thinking continued by having removed Alan from the picture, they continued to use Rossi & Parfitt as the 'face' of the band. They've never pretended that it was Rossi's band. He was never the leader as far as the promotion of the band.
But behind the scenes, the main songwriting, and even the decision to get rid of Alan and now ultimately to stop touring, is down to Francis.
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Post by unspokenwords on May 12, 2016 9:57:32 GMT
If Francis wanted to change direction that is his choice and fair enough but he should not have done it under the Status Quo banner in my opinion. To be an Everly style singer/strummer or pop country act would have been interesting if he had have had the talent for this. I personally would have preferred Quo but could have been interested in the alternative if he had have been 'The Francis Rossi band' and the song writing and music was of as good quality. The Everly brothers were amazing as is good country/folk music.
In retrospect it is clear that he did not have the talent for the euro style pop and country that he seems to want to do. He also unfortunately still veered in to the default position of the boogie chug/12 bar but it was half hearted and watered down by his euro pop desires. He also could only survive in live performances by being a tribute act to the 1970's music that he seemed to want to hide and move way from and may even have been embarrassed with. It is unfortunate that people like myself continued to buy his product and attend the live concerts even though we were not happy with it in the hope that the support would result in a return to form. All we did was bolster his ego further and spur him to continue in the pop direction. Eventually however it all ran aground and releases sold in very very small numbers to a point that they did not even justify recording costs.
With hindsight we should not have supported him by buying the product and let his little adventure fail as it was 30+ years of mediocrity. The vast majority of fans did drift away over the subsequent years. Strangely if he had have retained the old fan base with FF type releases he would have had many top hits including further number ones as with general down turn in record sales such a large fan base would have ensured chart success significantly higher than that what CQ ever achieved. A few thousand purchases ensured chart entry during the CQ era so chart 'success' is not what it seems compared to the 1970's.
Status Quo were undoubtedly leagues ahead of ACDC at one stage and would possibly have retained this status as a world wide act but the route selected in the CQ years ensured they became a cabaret act in local town halls instead.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 10:04:16 GMT
Rick has never had a disciplined approach to song writing - generally its mood driven, very much as and when the occasion takes him. I think that Andy was writing more material than Rick through the much of the 90's!
His attitude to decision making in general is also rather like this and it has allowed Francis a very free reign, not just in terms of the music but also power control in general matters and as a bridge to management decision making influence.
Francis has always had a methodical almost target driven approach to song writing (as well as routine, and band matters in general) which has meant that there has always been a surfeit of songs available for albums that could be used in the absence of input from Rick, as well as the others. No surprise he emerges a dominant looking figure in this respect, which ripples outwards further to other band matters beyond just the music and song-writing
The point of saying this is that it has all added up to the apparent extra authority that Francis appears to muster in the band. There were indeed all equal back in the pre 85 days, and that is a large reason why the peak 70's period was so great. But somehow Francis organised approach to everything has shone out in the absence of anyone else taking the load - and on top of being the front man act has somehow contrived to give him extra clout, it seems, over the others.
Rick has been at fault in terms of being too passive and allowing this to happen. In truth this is a pointer to how he might have helped Alan stay around, if he had been more pro-active in his role in Quo beyond just being the icon rock guitarist who has a hand as a machete and plays every inch the part of the rock hero. That is not to demean his major role in Quo, but I think a greater Parfitt/Lancaster allegiance was needed to stand up against Francis.
Alan ended up marginalised completely in the absence of any backbone available elsewhere - especially with John already gone.
There may have been a reunion(s) but the legacy of that hierarchy has never gone away - and Francis pro active attitude and Ricks passive approach has never changed either. Its no surprise that Alan, despite the reunion and all the apparent initial bonhomie, is still out in the cold.
Being organised, methodical and pro-active might be positive aspects to a character - but on the other hand, the single-mindedness and self agenda that goes along with those attributes and doesn't appear to mind trampling on your band mates in order to get a personal result (irrespective of the cause for the common good) are most certainly not good aspects.
In terms of ripple effects and consideration (or lack of), that single-mindedness very much includes affecting the fans wishes.
Its just a big pity that Rick, as the other major player in the Quo public eye, has not asserted himself more in that position to help prevent some of this happen - the Quo ending might have been a lot more exciting than it looks at this juncture.
He's allowed Francis simply to do as he chooses and gone along with it for an easier life.
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Post by lazypokerblues on May 12, 2016 12:14:29 GMT
some great posts here, really enjoying reading them.
I had a meet n greet on the 2013 FF tour. I asked Francis why they weren't playing the jig in Roadhouse Blues.
He said they'd had a vote and decided not to do it.
I'm of the opinion that Francis vetoed it.
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Post by Railroad17 on May 12, 2016 12:49:32 GMT
Simple enough.Rossi does not like working with Lancaster.
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Post by The Lord Flasheart on May 12, 2016 13:58:13 GMT
Much of that post has been covered, at least by me, in various ways in other threads on the forum I agree completely about the loss of a third singer though. With no disrespect to Rhino, Alan is a much better singer than him and as part of the original four fitted like a glove to the style of music that in turn lends itself to the Quo songs that featured his singing. Sometimes overlooked, but I think that the reunions also proved another thing in that Alan might have struggled as a player through the unfortunate limits placed on him - but his voice is as excellent as it ever was. Arguably, even better in my opinion. I would be very happy to see a return from him to some kind of semi retirement role even if it meant his role was restricted to song-writing and singing As far as cracking the States is concerned, I do wonder if greater access given to Alan's singing might have also been a key to greater success. We will never know.BIB I doubt it, as since Youtube many more Americans have seen Quo's version of Roadhouse Blues. Now we love it but most of their comments are "The singer sucks, hes no Jim Morrison". They praise the music though. |
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col
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 641
Favourite Quo Album: Dog Of Two Head, Piledriver, Hello, Quo, Live
Favourite other bands.: Ramones, Warrior Soul, Soundgarden, King Buffalo, Small Faces, Motorhead, UFO, Screaming Trees, Kyuss, Clutch
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Post by col on May 12, 2016 17:40:31 GMT
BIB I doubt it, as since Youtube many more Americans have seen Quo's version of Roadhouse Blues. Now we love it but most of their comments are "The singer sucks, hes no Jim Morrison". They praise the music though. Morrison was one of the BEST singers on Earth. And the major issues of the re-union tours were that Quo seemed to insist on still getting the lyrics to Roadhouse Blues and Juniors Wailing wrong. Both original versions are vastly superior to Quo's studio recordings. Live? Well, I never saw the Doors with Jim. |
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Post by Victor on May 12, 2016 19:24:18 GMT
And the major issues of the re-union tours were that Quo seemed to insist on still getting the lyrics to Roadhouse Blues and Juniors Wailing wrong. Both original versions are vastly superior to Quo's studio recordings. Live? Well, I never saw the Doors with Jim. It's all about opinions, isn't it?......in mine, Morrison was shite. Morrison's voice strangely fit the Doors somehow... was he a good singer though ? Nope, as far as that goes I totally agree with you. |
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Post by Mrs Flittersnoop on May 12, 2016 22:34:15 GMT
Most singers have to hit the notes, a few don't. Jim Morrison was one of those. I don't know why. I guess his keys must have averaged about right. I always enjoyed listening to him. LA Woman - fantastic.
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Post by Mrs Flittersnoop on May 12, 2016 22:37:07 GMT
So Iam not too sure why Francis turned his back on stronger music in favor of lighter poppy style ? Iam thinking what AL said might be correct. He said Francis didn't want to put the same amount of effort into their music anymore. Apparently the lighter music is easier to do. Francis has been saying that he gets tired and it's hard work as long as I've been a fan, and probably before, but he kept on doing it. Maybe it's the migraines that haunted him. Maybe it was the drugs. Maybe he's just like that. |
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2016 18:02:53 GMT
Hi All, If the lighter music was easier to play than the heavier, rather than adopt to that lighter side couldn't they have just played fewer gigs ? If as suggested it was his health that was being affected why not just be honest with the fans all along ? I am sure it would have prevented all the negative comments that also affected his health and his attitude to other band members and all fans ?
Geoff. |
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Post by Detroit on May 16, 2016 20:07:35 GMT
BIB I doubt it, as since Youtube many more Americans have seen Quo's version of Roadhouse Blues. Now we love it but most of their comments are "The singer sucks, hes no Jim Morrison". They praise the music though.
But then this is the nation that made stars out of Rhianna, Britney Spears and Eminem. Perhaps live Davy, but the studio shows he had one of the best voices in rock. for example: Riders on the Storm Light My Fire Touch Me Waiting For The Sun Love Her Madly LA Women just to name a few. |
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