Posted on 10/07/2011 10:10:16 AM PDT by Reaganite Republican
Never did buy them, perhaps spooked by the daunting oversupply I'd witnessed... but that's not without regret: years later I came to realize they were the band who did 1967's US/UK psychedelic-rock hit 'Pictures of Matchstick Men'- their only Top 40 hit in the States. Yet while in my mind they were has-been one hit wonders, Status Quo's true genius -and massive commercial success in the UK- came only after they switched from then-trendy psychedelic style to a more earthy, blues-based boogie rock in the vain of Canned Heat and early Humble Pie as the 1970s rock era dawned.
Once I got myself acquainted with their mega-hits in the UK i.e. "Paper Plane" (1972), "Caroline" (1973), "Down Down" (1975), "Rain" (1976), "Rockin' All Over the World" (cover of John Fogherty/1977) and "Whatever You Want" (1979), I would say without qualification that Status Quo is the finest English rock band to never make it commercially in the US. And that's hard for me to understand, as imo they absolutely kick ass... any rock fan owes it to themselves to check 'em out.
And as you might suppose, these guys are brilliant live... the two guitarists really are something else. Status Quo actually continue to tour up to the present day with both original frontmen, and the band has sold over 118M (!) records- their 60 UK chart hits unparalleled by any other group in history... any... ever:
Uriah Heep.
Excellent band
I think it shows to go you what a capricious, cruel world the American music promotion scene has been, particularly in those days.
If the Internet had existed in Status Quo’s time, they would have quickly ruled the world as indies.
I fully agree, typical entertainment business cesspool
I was just watching a great documentary/concert film last night called Fillmore,The Last Days.
If you’ve not seen it, you have got to! Great “backstage angst” scenes and some great concert footage. Boz Skaggs actually playing the guitar before he became “huge” is really fun. And Jerry Garcia on a steel guitar, and Lydia Pense with Cold Blood, just WOW. And even It’s a Beatuiful Day.
PS- that’s why I always shopped imports too
I was always shocked at the stuff we didnt’ get over in the States, often some of the best by American artists even, i.e. Stray Cats
I guess I wasn’t sufficiently cynical to understand the record business back then... would explain why I interviewed with one (sales) and didn’t get the job lol
I was just watching a great documentary/concert film last night called Fillmore,The Last Days.
Here it is: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7761479
I got it off torrent but my copy is panned and scanned. It’s kinda like watching Woodstock on an old TV. :-(
I’ll check that out, thx CL
I was kind of fond of the Scorsese Dylan documentary myself
That article was rather interesting. I’m gonna have to get my hands on some Status quo stuff.
For me, just up through Wonderworld.
http://grooveshark.com/s/Circle+Of+Hands/2quZMf?src=5
“Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land for an enemy
Came across love’s sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost
Sky full of eyes, minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts, down to their graves
Murdered the dawn, spreading their scorn
Cursing the Son of which love was born
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we’ll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday’s tomorrow”
“Rowan Brothers” ?
Don’t recall their music...
Another excellent British band was “The Move”, which was the band that eventually evolved into ELO.
Europe is one of the happening places for a lot of US based talent. They don’t have the ossified big label bureaucracy.
Sales, I guess it wouldn’t have hurt you too bad if they’d taken you. Though you would have seen things that would have puzzled the Sphynx. It’s artists who commonly get put through the wringer by the big labels. Artists get the fame and a few crumbs to sustain them as their live performances earn. The big companies get the dough from record sales. While I do not agree with such tactics as they are dishonest, that’s why piracy is so winked at among the young crowd. Most bands with big company sponsorships would sooner their records be free, because they make money at live venues and would be glad for the publicity.
Great video!
Except for the annoying interlace artifacts.
Me neither. I confess I don’t remember “Lamb” either, but the performance is pretty good in this movie.
This may help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rowans
It makes sense. SF scene, opening for the Grateful Dead...
True, but the LP was a classic. David LaFlamme...how many rock groups do you know that were started by a violinist?
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