Fans of iconic UK rock band Status Quo are in for a treat when four of Australia’s premier musicians bring their tribute to the band to Geelong.
Including singer/guitarist Pete Robinson (Electric Mary, Russell Morris Band), bassist James Morley (The Angels, The Choirboys) and Queen Orchestrated members Eddy Santacreu (guitar) and David Kirby (drums), 12 Gold Bars covers Status Quo’s 1980 album of the same name as well as later hits, B sides and other rarities.
Status Quo have been active for more than 60 years since forming in London in 1962 and hold the record for the most chart hits in the UK – more than 60 – including Rockin’ All Over the World, Whatever You Want and Down Down.
While their early music tended toward psychedelic pop sounds, Status Quo adopted a hard rock/boogie style that became more polished as time went on.
Robinson, who takes on the musical role of Status Quo founder and still-active band leader Francis Rossi, said the band was one of his biggest influences growing up as a budding guitarist.
“I got a guitar on my eighth birthday and I just never really put it down,” Robinson said.
“I think the first album I ever heard was the Status Quo album called Quo. And I was just hooked, I listened to that and just went wow, this incredible.
“To hear guitars played like that was just insane, I thought, I’ve got to do this. It was life-changing. Even now when I play these songs it still takes me back to that time, of having a tennis racquet and miming to the songs and jumping round the house.”
When Morley mentioned to Robinson early last year that he was thinking about putting together a Status Quo show – “I’m looking for a Francis Rossi” – Robinson jumped at the chance.
“The chemistry on stage is great, we all get on really well, and it’s the whole Status Quo show – legs wides apart, the denim and all that sort of stuff,” he said.
“We do the songs as close as we possibly can to what you would expect a Status Quo song to sound like, and people have gone away very happy, so we think we’re doing the right thing.”
The 12 Gold Bars – Celebration of Status Quo show is at the Wool Exchange on Saturday, March 22. Visit www.oztix.com.au for tickets.
