Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 10:08:54 GMT
I have expressed a lot of disappointment and critique about Francis, the band and management over the musical direction and the gigs. But despite the loss of Rick, I think acceptance has to be realised that they are carrying on playing and acceptance that there is a fan base out there that like and enjoy the continued hits and set in general, despite my own or anyone else's opinion of what they are doing.
However, whilst the final result would still remain to be seen in terms of taste appeal, I would, at the very least, readily renew interest if there was an appetite to utilise the youth of Ritchie and Leon to try to create a new era of music and finally mark a line in the sand over the legacy of Status Quo. Francis, Andy and Rhino won't be around forever and this is an opportunity to try to carve out a future new direction for an offspring band to maybe be able to carry on into the future and in this way at least do some attempted justice to the old SQ name instead of playing the same hits, set and reconstituting the old products to returns that finally become too diminished even for FR and SP.com to recycle further. That seems a far too incongruous final destination to say the least.
That really is the crux of my own frustration with Francis, the band and management. So much of CQ itself was wasted on copy of the 70's rather than their own 'product' anyway - but in my opinion anyway, the options for doing different things cry louder to a point now that makes persisting with endlessly re-cycling an old legacy risk losing even the fan base/casuals who still attend gigs and buy related SQ 'product'.
There are lots of good tribute bands, and of course there is John and his SQ band as a legacy of what original SQ were about. The comments recently (paraphrased here) about seeing a tribute at the dog and duck are poor for anyone to make who consider themselves a fan hero from the hey-day. There is clearly a lot to be said for Johns band as an alternative that sticks to what the real legacy of Quo was about. But John will also not be around forever to play on, and ultimately that means a total SQ free zone becomes closer to being imminent. Whilst quite a few already consider a SQ free zone already exists and/or had existed even before the loss of Rick, an offshoot band taking over from where Quo left off ultimately becomes the only other possibility - for those prepared to entertain the idea of the possibility.
There will be very many who will not like this idea or be prepared to even think about it, and think that what ended with Rick should end now. But for purposes of this thread, whilst it is only a thought, curiosity makes me wonder how many would welcome creating something entirely new as an alternative rather than the same old to the finish. Reality is that they are not ending now, with gigs signalled to the end of next year at least.
It seems that Francis and Bob might be about to write some new songs, so something new may yet emerge anyway, even if it won't yet be a break from the past and karaoke of the hits. But other than natural conclusions to things, something tells me that Francis and even management, maybe also Rhino and Andy who have been around for decades won't want the status quo to limp out and be the extent of their ambitions before they leave the scene for good.
They might all have lives at home and solo band projects, but music is in the blood and they must also must know that there is an opportunity for a new world in the band beyond mirages of last nights of the last nights of the electrics and Aquostic. It doesn't smack of forward planning, just squeezing every drop from a near corpse of a formula that is tottering towards its creaky end. They will surely ultimately lose credibility for this even with the faithful and casuals who currently still are supporting them. It can't last like this forever. I can't believe Francis is content with it deep down - whether it makes him and his band mates comfortable in retirement or not.
They have a window of opportunity to do so much more with the talents of Ritchie in the band, and comments have been made by Francis about the younger feel the band has to make it suddenly possible to keep going on. Why not use that opportunity to wider horizons while there is a chance. Its still so sad Rick has gone, but nothing is going to bring him back. Music always lives on, so maybe best to embrace that and look at the best ways this could happen rather than keep blowing dust off a burnt out boogie shell.
There is no guarantee that even if they did make something new and different it would be to majority tastes. But surely credit would at least still be due for attempting to think outside the box and try? It would be interesting to know how many would welcome an evolution to something new. Should it happen of course - and there is no real sign let alone guarantee it will happen.
|
|
steveh
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 106
|
Post by steveh on Aug 14, 2017 10:20:43 GMT
As has been said umpteen times already, it seems that people's main beef is that it's still called "status quo", and that Francis should've retired the name when Rick went. I agree with this, but it ain't gonna happen, not while he and the management can still make a few bob out of the name, very sad, and they haven't had a penny of my money since wolves civic hall 2013. If he'd drop the name and maybe just tour with his solo outfit (who seemed quite a good band imho) i would definetly go and see the Francis Rossi band play live, but probably only the once. At the end of the day he's a talented muscician who can put on a good show. He could play his own stuff with just 2 or 3 (maybe) quo numbers in the set just for a bit of fun.
|
|
|
Post by freewilly on Aug 14, 2017 10:39:58 GMT
If it's called Status Quo and branded about as Status Quo then I will have no interest.
And it will be. Too late now. Name should have been changed in 1986
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 11:04:50 GMT
As has been said umpteen times already, it seems that people's main beef is that it's still called "status quo", and that Francis should've retired the name when Rick went. I agree with this, but it ain't gonna happen, not while he and the management can still make a few bob out of the name, very sad, and they haven't had a penny of my money since wolves civic hall 2013. If he'd drop the name and maybe just tour with his solo outfit (who seemed quite a good band imho) i would definetly go and see the Francis Rossi band play live, but probably only the once. At the end of the day he's a talented muscician who can put on a good show. He could play his own stuff with just 2 or 3 (maybe) quo numbers in the set just for a bit of fun. I can't believe that Francis and management can be truly content with the policy of wringing every penny out of the name based on the potential that there is in the band for far better. It isn't sustainable, they know that and they must know there is an ignominy involved in such limited and narrow minded ambition - just for the sake of a little money. No-one earns a crust without getting satisfaction from what they are doing - and recycling what has already been recycled surely doesn't feel creative or feel like fulfilling potential. Those who currently still go and see the band cannot be sustained forever on nostalgia without thinking to themselves "yes, but what can this particular group of musicians achieve themselves"?
Drawing in newer younger blood to the band and admitting there are fresh legs because of it, further leaves the status quo as a lack of excuse because of the natural extension to the life of the band that is implied by it. On that basis, persisting with re-cycling a formula that is already second hand through CQ of which Rick was an integral part, has no credible future beyond fulfilling obligations that were agreed before the loss of Rick.
It also brings in to question the repeated argument of being free to do what they like. Whilst its true they are free to do what they like at face value, it doesn't mean that they should be immune from questioning the persistence with the same old. Especially when they imply extension to the life of the band has become possible for reasons given and therefore the old formula becomes less sustainable by degrees of this.
His own solo band showed what is possible as you say. But there is still no reason as long as this band persists why they could not also make themselves a band in their own right and follow the example that Francis has already shown to himself is possible. A name tag to this band would follow naturally onwards from this and become, imo at least, of secondary importance. Far more important that steps to actually show intent to draw a line in the sand on the past are being considered first, then worry about the name itself.
At some point the past has to be left in the past, both by the band and the fans. That doesn't mean forgetting the best of what has been, but it does mean being accepting to moving on by doing different things. At the least, if they are going to play on longer, then it is quite reasonable to suggest that this is fulfilled by turning a page to make a difference to that.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 11:20:59 GMT
If it's called Status Quo and branded about as Status Quo then I will have no interest. And it will be. Too late now. Name should have been changed in 1986 The problem with that is it indicates hanging on to what was considered wrong in the past. This is about moving on from that and looking at what might be possible. What has happened can't be changed, its gone. But there is still a future and its possible to discuss those possibilities while there remains a chance. Albeit a sign has to be offered that something different may become possible at all
This would not be about Status Quo, the past. It would be about a band that is being primed to take over from Status Quo and define a possible future.
Fine if this cannot be contemplated, and individual opinion like yours stops at some time in the past. But if the mind can mentally separate the past from the possibilities of the future, on the basis that life goes on regardless, then new ideas become possible. Irrespective of whether they end up happening, they are still possible to discuss while the opportunity still presents itself.
Plus there is only so long its possible to carry on beating up what has happened without it becoming futile. Personally I've become tired with criticising something that hasn't changed so far, however justified this has seemed, and this thread is an attempt to try and change the record. For my own benefit as much as anyone else who feels they are repeating the same negatives.
If there is to be a spirit to try and be more positive, that has been banged on about in some quarters, then it is possible to see what could be changed to make things better in the foreseeable future
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 11:33:49 GMT
I've been typing away blindly on this thread and not seen 4ths post about the board Well without consciously expressing it I guess this thread is an acknowledgment in itself that I have become fed up with the band as it is, and elements of repeating the same grumbles that I have been guilty of enough myself.
I suppose also though I don't feel happy and comfortable grumbling incessantly about a band I have been a fan of for decades and wanted to express a more positive hope for it, despite what doesn't seem great in the present. Plus Rick is a big part of that obviously.
Also agree about the thoughts of the off topic forum
|
|
|
Post by freewilly on Aug 14, 2017 11:40:07 GMT
I've been typing away blindly on this thread and not seen 4ths post about the board Well without consciously expressing it I guess this thread is an acknowledgment in itself that I have become fed up with the band as it is, and elements of repeating the same grumbles that I have been guilty of enough myself.
I suppose also though I don't feel happy and comfortable grumbling incessantly about a band I have been a fan of for decades and wanted to express a more positive hope for it, despite what doesn't seem great in the present. Plus Rick is a big part of that obviously.
Also agree about the thoughts of the off topic forum
What post?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 11:41:59 GMT
At the top of the page under 'Important threads'
|
|
|
Post by MrWaistcoat on Aug 14, 2017 12:10:11 GMT
Francis has an active fanbase who don't buy albums, perhaps other than some sort of novelty thing. I suspect Francis has accepted that it's too late for new material now. Not sure he's that interested.
I do think he's missing a trick with the live shows. Having returned without Rick, with Ricks songs sung less well, and with the same set list, he will find that his existing fanbase will be somewhat smaller next year.
What he should have done last tour is play a 100% greatest hits tour. Drop every album track. The fanbase he has would enjoy that more. And with a refreshed set to include songs not played before, some of the old fold would return.
I'm don't get why he doesn't do this - its a fairly obvious move imo. He seemed happy enough to put new sets together for FF and his own band. Why can't he do it for Quo?
Perhaps he thinks he can't have more than a year or two left. Then again, has he not been thinking like that for twenty years or more?!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 12:39:17 GMT
I'm of the view that if he can consider a venture with Hannah from the Aquostic set (which I personally welcome as something away from the band itself) he can sure consider alternatives with what remains of Quo. That shows he has an appetite to put something new down on paper and not rule out new material of some kind at least.
My own mind says that however he wishes to go on reconstituting Quo, whether that be playing all hits at gigs or whatever other permutations there may be, then it is toying with the same law of diminishing returns.
A think outside the box would certainly give me something to be interested in that is for sure, and far better than going over and over old ground till giving up completely at the repetition of it all. Not just in terms of the band, but for discussion purposes of the band. I don't think even the most ardent critics of the regime have the staying power to post ad infinitum about the shortcomings of LNOTE and Aquostic for ever more and would like to have something new to talk about for a change.
A refreshed set including new songs is an improvement of what is, but would not sustain because the faithful they have right now would want the hits as they are, not in any different order or with new ones added. They should try to appeal to a wider public like other artists have done in their dotage by making new material, whether that be out of tribute to a passing member (in Quo's case Rick) or simply by utilising the replacement member(s) they have in the best way. Its been shown its been possible to get sales in response to this activity before on its own merits without needing a medley of hits to make them recognisable as a sweetener, and it might force a re-think in approach from management as to how to achieve this that gets away from cheap low common denominator promotion.
It seems to me that management are struggling badly behind the scenes and rather like crisis management making things up as they go along - e.g just for a start how the Aquostic>LNOTE debacle has been handled. There have been enough conflictive interviews from Francis himself which make no sense and keep treading on too many toes, whether that be past band members or old fans.
A new script and a fresh start would be a get out of jail card for all concerned to stop digging, and start filling in holes instead...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 13:29:07 GMT
After what was said about Rick, I have no interest in what Francis or the rest of the band have to offer in future. They have been just as complicit by doing nothing in regards to the shocking treatment of Rick. If they had any decency, they would have walked. But you know the saying... Money talks... 2017 was supposed to be a great year for Quo, marking 50 years of the band, but it is undoubtedly the worst. - The band carrying on as if nothing happened.
- Francis throwing his toys out of his pram in the press.
- Alan and John completely out of the loop.
- An acoustic tour being scrapped in the name of moolah. Add to that, a press release which was a further insult to fans. And five weeks on since the announcement, STILL no notification to those who bought tickets when they first went on sale that changes have been made.
It is totally astonishing and unforgivable what has gone on and that there is to be no memorial for Rick, no 50th anniversary celebration... though Francis coming out and saying what he did made any type of events impossible moreso than the squabbles between the Parfitts we keep hearing is the root of all problems. For Rick - and for the fans who'd want it - Francis could have been sensible about the whole situation and got in touch with Alan and John - plus the others - to do something, but he displayed the gross immaturity that sadly epitomises him by blabbing to the press, and in one fell swoop ruined everything. So... If the band carry on, but apparently have no interest in observing anniversaries, where does that leave Porter's great marketing plan? Even if Quo release new material, two or three years down the line Universal will want them to release a greatest hits, but there's been so many of them in addition to the many unofficial ones in recent years that the returns for the next one will be laughable. Plugged In? OK... Then what? If Quo are to keep going then to keep the crowds coming back every year there has to be a reinvention of some sort... A new name for the tour... Something... A new album every year? OK... that could work... but can the band come up with 10 new tracks every year? Doubt it. There seems to be a foolish reasoning from those deeply involved that if the band keep going the fans will keep going but it's clear that lots have fallen by the wayside in the past year, and honestly, for a band that promise to give their all for the fans they're doing a very bad job of keeping them on board. The recent media management has been absolutely diabolical. Bottom line, the current set has to go. Easier said than done but for the reasons I've already mentioned, it makes complete financial sense to do so. I totally understand why certain songs can't be / are not played but it'll only lead to diminishing returns. How many more times can something be repackaged and be expected to sell well? Let's face it... LNOTE flopped badly despite chart positions saying otherwise. So, yeah, a new way of thinking is needed. If Rick was still here, I'd be saying the same thing. The band was on a downward slope even with him in it. Other artists play their classic albums in full. That could have been an option to gain extra mileage, but Francis doesn't seem to like nostalgia. If it were up to me, I'd; - Celebrate the 50 years with Alan and John involved.
- Put Status Quo on indefinite hiatus.
- Release something innovative and as far removed from Quo as you could get. Reach a new audience. Make proper money.
Everyone could go their separate ways, work on solo stuff, etc, come back into the Quo fold when need be (i.e. one-off concerts). The back catalogue would sell on the basis of Quo being seen as special (or, if you like, "cool") as opposed to everyday and always being around. But it ain't up to me. And, alas, this is Quo we're talking about. A band that don't take risks. One which is too far gone now anyway. Sad, really. Considering... At least I can still find hope in the possibility that Rick's solo album and/or any of the PLC tracks will be completed and released someday. Otherwise, my interest in Quo is over.
|
|
|
Post by Tʰᵉ Wᵃˡˡ Oᶠ Dᵉᵃᵗʰ on Aug 14, 2017 15:16:04 GMT
... A new album every year? OK... that could work... but can the band come up with 10 new tracks every year? Doubt it. They haven't had ten DECENT tracks in the last 35 years. So yeah, I doubt it too.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 15:49:30 GMT
@deepthroat A good post. Thanks for the suggestions, which make complete sense to me also. As you say, it aint up to us (unfortunately) but that still doesn't mean there is no point in discussing it. The purpose of this thread in many ways is to gauge how many would be open minded to something new happening and not just another critique of what has gone wrong to date and has been said before. Many, more like the majority on here are not happy at all with the very failures and shortcomings you outline in the first part of your post, but we could all go on complaining about this without putting forward other possibilities of what might be better instead and/or how (if at all) things could be salvaged to any extent and improved.
In terms of past reputation for being able to put forward decent tracks, which is always subjective to various opinion anyway, the basis of this would be that Status Quo as the long chapter in itself is effectively closed and a new band effort with Ritchie involved is taken on its own merits,. Clearly many are not going to find this acceptable enough and wouldn't be interested for all the obvious reasons. But still, the three suggestions you put forward, in that order starting with Alan and John in a 50 yr celebration, and ending with something completely innovative and separate and far away from Quo makes good sense to me anyway. Its a step bridge that acknowledges the past and all the members that played a part in it - as a bridge to close down SQ as it has been, so that something different could then be taken on its own merits, and maybe get a few sceptics on board to at least give a new outing a listen.
Its not so much about ending up having to really like it in the first instance, so much as wanting to give it a chance to happen and then reserve judgement on its merits. If it happened in the first place!
There is a long way to go to get there, let alone the fact there is scant sign that the status quo will change, but if something is to happen, it has to start somewhere.
|
|
|
Post by Detroit on Aug 14, 2017 16:27:27 GMT
... A new album every year? OK... that could work... but can the band come up with 10 new tracks every year? Doubt it. They haven't had ten DECENT tracks in the last 35 years. So yeah, I doubt it too. hmm, 3.5 decent ones per year. So, which 10 are only half decent.
|
|
|
Post by Tʰᵉ Wᵃˡˡ Oᶠ Dᵉᵃᵗʰ on Aug 14, 2017 16:34:08 GMT
They haven't had ten DECENT tracks in the last 35 years. So yeah, I doubt it too. hmm, 3.5 decent ones per year. So, which 10 are only half decent. One per 3.5 yrs! Get your maths/math right.
|
|