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Post by cammythemortonfan on Apr 1, 2021 23:13:54 GMT
Sometimes on here Francis comes in for some stick.
Something Matt said though on the thread about the Way It Goes video got me thinking about positivity and where Francis shows a kindness or rights a wrong which actually might not always be noticed .
One such occasion for me was at Croydon in 2003ish.
For those not familiar with the Fairfield Halls it’s a seated venue with no barrier between the audience and the stage.
Two rocker types in their forties or fifties roughly shoved past a young girl of about 8 or 9 midway through the set to get right in front of the stage . She ended up really upset and no doubt the gig at that point was spoiled for her and her parents.
Francis clocked everything that happened and subtly managed to attract the attention of the security to have them removed .
Fair play to him for that.
Rhino at the end had a word with the wee girl and her mum and dad , so hopefully that in some way made up for the bad experience and ended the night on a high.
Any other stories of a positive nature to share ?
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Post by freewilly on Apr 1, 2021 23:48:34 GMT
Dublin 2009. The Pictures Tour.
Security were stopping people taking pictures in the balcony and stopping them from standing up enjoying themselves. Francis basically told them to piss off and let them do what they want.
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Post by swisscheese on Apr 2, 2021 8:23:03 GMT
Hi guys
I have the utmost respect for Francis. In many interviews and in his book one thing that strikes me is how he often says alcohol is a dangerous thing and one gets the impression he thinks it shouldn't really be legal. He is a principled person who is honest and sometimes will be very direct in a way that confuses and even upsets people. Sometimes he says exactly the same words in his answers like insecure little show offs etc but that is his way.
KINDEST REGARDS, THE CHEESEMEISTER GENERAL
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mortified
4500 Timer
Posts: 5,861
Favourite Quo Album: Hello!
Favourite other bands.: Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, Sheryl Crow, Gary Numan, Alabama 3, ZZ Top, Paul van Dyk, Jeff Beck, Bowie, Gerry Rafferty, Band of Skulls, UFO, S.A.H.B
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Post by mortified on Apr 2, 2021 9:11:47 GMT
Never thought he was anything other than honest. Opinionated but honest. And we're all opinionated. He's never gone up in my estimation. Because he's never come down. None of them have. They're all just blokes who exist in a world that very few of us can fully appreciate. When we went to see Francis on his talk tour a couple of years back, we queued to have the book signed. When we got up to him, I asked if he could sign it over his photo on the back. His PA (Leanne?) was insistent that all books were to be signed on the first inside page. He signed mine on the back anyway. The rebel He then took the pi$$ out of my poor excuse for a goatee. Which was fair enough I think there's a shyness and insecurity about Francis. There's certainly a privacy and reserve when he's out of his comfort zone. Which is off stage. I admire him for putting himself through the possible discomfort of meeting us lot. And putting on his stage persona. I don't envy him that. But he probably feels he has a duty. Maybe he does.
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Post by paradiseflats on Apr 2, 2021 10:17:04 GMT
I will be in a minority here as I never saw him as a hero.
I do love some of his music and the way he used to play the guitar.
I don’t feel the need to say what a great person he is. In fact to me it’s irrelevant. There are plenty of musicians who are very unpleasant in their actions but still love their music.
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Apr 2, 2021 12:04:30 GMT
More the other way round. 100% the hero as I grew up, but there's things he's done and said I haven't liked that have disappointed me. The first was him (and Rick) professing love for Thatcher during the EOTR tour. I think Francis' politics are as contrary as he is. Probably the less about Rick's I know the better!
Always ends up forgiven or understood, whatever it is
There was such hostility towards him after Rick died, but its gone now
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nino
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 264
Favourite Quo Album: Hello!
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Post by nino on Apr 2, 2021 16:09:09 GMT
Never thought he was anything other than honest. Opinionated but honest. And we're all opinionated. He's never gone up in my estimation. Because he's never come down. None of them have. They're all just blokes who exist in a world that very few of us can fully appreciate. I think there's a shyness and insecurity about Francis. There's certainly a privacy and reserve when he's out of his comfort zone. Which is off stage. I admire him for putting himself through the possible discomfort of meeting us lot. And putting on his stage persona. I don't envy him that. But he probably feels he has a duty. Maybe he does. THIS! I can't say and I won't say a bad thing about Francis. He's been my hero along with Rick from the first time I saw and listened to them. I love him to bits, I admire him. He was always so kind and nice when I met him. He noticed me being frigging nervous during the M&G in Glasgow 2013 and noticed I couldn't say a thing to him/them when they signed my Hello! LP. All of the other people were talking to them during the signing, then got their picture taken in more or less silence and went away. When it was my turn to get my photo Francis talked to me and asked me how I was, the three others then joined in. The photographer and the woman from Live Nation went nervous and wanted me to go away and make room for the next person, but Francis basically told them with his facial expression and his view to calm down and so I finally was able to talk to them and tell them how much I love them and their music and that this very moment means the world to me. (Actually getting kinda emotional thinking about it right now...). When I went away he smiled at me and thanked me for my words (I was gobsmacked, actually it was my turn to say thank you but there you go) and shook my hand for the second time, the others followed. So I was the only one shaking their hands twice during this M&G, once at the signing and once after the photo. He made me so feel at ease, I will never ever forget this, it really is the little things he does. 2015 when I waited for them in Winterbach around noon, he was taken away in a minivan, came back an hour or so later and noticed us lot (about 5 people) still waiting. He told the driver to stop and drive away (it was right at the backstage entry so he walked the rest later) and came to us, signed everything, posed for photos and was "angry" at me for my long hair, as he always is When I showed him my T-Shirt and said "look, here you had hair like me" he even gave me the finger and grinned at me. Rick peeked out of the bus and Francis walked up to him, whispering in his ear, probably telling him that we were alright and Rick could come to us. And so he did. I'm not sure if Rick would've come if Francis hadn't told him that it's alright. As I said, it's the little things. Or at Hammersmith 2013 as Ricks string broke during BFM Francis was concerned, came over and looked and made sure Rick was back in time, otherwise he'd have supported him by singing the refrain or whatever. Or the uncrossing of Ricks legs in Turkey as he told in interviews...it's the little things. I love him to death and will always defend him. My hero. Francis Rossi <3
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Post by charles on Apr 3, 2021 6:34:58 GMT
Well, he's the reason I have an earring in my left ear.
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tqontq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 577
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Post by tqontq on Apr 3, 2021 8:14:02 GMT
Good question...and I have an immediate answer without giving it too much thought. He went up in my estimation on the reunion tours, particularly the 2nd one. I just didn't think he would play to the level that he did. All of that watered down country mediocre pop pap that he spent decades playing under the Quo name suddenly all went out the window and there was the Francis Rossi I once knew and greatly admired back up on a pedestal again.
Of course it came crashing down again not soon after when the god awful Bula Quo came out!!! Boy it didn't last but for those two tours....he was IT!
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Post by freewilly on Apr 3, 2021 9:57:33 GMT
More the other way round. 100% the hero as I grew up, but there's things he's done and said I haven't liked that have disappointed me. The first was him (and Rick) professing love for Thatcher during the EOTR tour. I think Francis' politics are as contrary as he is. Probably the less about Rick's I know the better! Always ends up forgiven or understood, whatever it is There was such hostility towards him after Rick died, but its gone now Their love for Thatcher? Fucking idiots
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Post by curiousgirl on Apr 3, 2021 10:30:34 GMT
I'm more of the opposite view. He went down in my eyes, first of all, when as a naive fan, he revealed the extent of his drug addiction and the reality of his life. But I grew older and more understanding. The big kicker was his public response to the fans of the reunion tours but he played a blinder too and for that I'm grateful. I did finally meet him at his talking tour and we had a good old natter about South London which we both know well. I enjoyed that. He's human and flawed as we all are. Get over it.
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Apr 3, 2021 10:44:29 GMT
Well, he's the reason I have an earring in my left ear. I had two in my left ear for the same reason 😳 Forgot about that 😂
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Post by Gaz on Apr 3, 2021 12:46:04 GMT
Good question...and I have an immediate answer without giving it too much thought. He went up in my estimation on the reunion tours, particularly the 2nd one. I just didn't think he would play to the level that he did. All of that watered down country mediocre pop pap that he spent decades playing under the Quo name suddenly all went out the window and there was the Francis Rossi I once knew and greatly admired back up on a pedestal again. Of course it came crashing down again not soon after when the god awful Bula Quo came out!!! Boy it didn't last but for those two tours....he was IT! Thats it a great post. He absolutely nailed it in the reunion gigs
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gav
Veteran Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 2,152
Favourite Quo Album: On The Level
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Post by gav on Apr 3, 2021 13:16:15 GMT
He went down in my eyes, first of all, when as a naive fan, he revealed the extent of his drug addiction and the reality of his life. But I grew older and more understanding. I remember as a naive 10 year old being shocked to see him smoking whilst being interviewed at Live Aid!!
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Post by fretbuzzzzz on Apr 3, 2021 17:29:46 GMT
Following on from gav's post. Previously unseen backstage footage of Quo at Live Aid!...skip to 6:12 Some deep and meaningful convo with Francis, Rick, Alan and Pete! Francis enjoying a Capstan and Rick straight on the Diet Coke?
A bloke by the name of Bob at the back. Gate-crasher!
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