Status Quo Coming to Inverness
Famed boogie rock band Status Quo will be playing at the Inverness Leisure Centre as part of their Aquostic tour on June 20. Their 2014 album Aquostic (Stripped Bare) was a mixture of new songs and their famous classics presented in a completely new way.
Status Quo called Aquostic (Stripped Bare) a game-changer as it took them out of their comfort zone by taking away the amps and electric guitars. For the album, the band used a female backing vocalist and even added a string section. On their official site the band, with their typical humour, joked that it was “a set to change a few peoples’ minds. A set to raise a few smiles. A set that didn’t require producer Mike Paxman to keep 50p in the meter.”
Speaking to What’s on Highlands founding member Francis Rossi said: “We’re so looking forward to heading to Inverness for an Aquostic show in front of an audience of around a1,900 fans.” The show is being promoted by LLC Live as part of their Live in the City event. Lauren Munro from LCC Live said: “If you love Status Quo, you need to be there; if you’ve never before seen this truly legendary band play acoustically, you need to be there. It’s going to be extra special.”
The band have been busy in recent years even making their own film titled Bula Quo. The action comedy was a blend of the band’s distinct British humour and rock music, and also starred American comic Jon Lovitz.
Of course, Status Quo are not the only band to dip their toes into the world of film. Members from the legendary rock band KISS appeared in three films including the 2015 film Scooby-Doo! And Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery.
Like Status Quo, KISS are known for taking their brand outside of the normal music platforms. They have even dabbled in the online gaming realm with their own official KISS game, which is featured on the popular digital slot platform Slingo. While Status Quo haven’t appeared in their own game, they are known to honour their fans. In Londonderry two members of the band joined a Status Quo tribute act on stage.
Sadly this concert will be missing one Quo member, as last December rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt died in Marbella following a serious infection from a shoulder injury. Francis Rossi spoke of his friend’s death. “Rick Parfitt had been a part of my story for fifty years. Without doubt the longest relationship of my life: this was also the most satisfying, frustrating, creative and fluid…we were a team, a double act, a partnership and yet also two very different people.”
Tributes poured in from across the music world to praise the star. The Evening Standard reported that Queen star Brian May led the tributes saying that he “truly joyfully rocked our world.” Parfitt was replaced by Irish guitarist Richie Malone who had played in Parfitt’s place during 2016.
The evening promises a night of music, good fun, and paying tribute to the great Rick Parfitt. So get your rock shoes on and come on down.
