Weird memory. 1985, in some sort of lecture room in Kings College overlooking the Strand. A song starts to fade in, seeming to come from the road below. “Whatever You Want, Whatever You Need….etc”. It gets louder and LOUDER. A new song begins, using the same chords… “Again and Again” maybe? It’s impossible to ignore. We look down at the street and there they are, moving along slowly on a flatbed truck. The lecturer has no idea who the band is. In fact, some of the kids at Kings then are so posh they don’t seem to know. Impressive. I guess that’s the only time I’ll see Status Quo live.
{ 8 comments }
Russell Arben Fox 12.24.16 at 6:30 pm
14 years ago, or so, when Crooked Timber started, and I started reading you guys regularly, I knew there was a lot about this Harry Brighouse character that I liked–his basic takes on politics, culture, history, and more. I never would have thought that, as time went by, I would come to look forward to Harry’s posts because he would teach me about and/or remind me of wonderful moments of music and media from the 1970s and 1980s. But that’s exactly what has happened. Merry Christmas, Harry! You’re a gift which keeps on giving, as this video demonstrates.
chris y 12.25.16 at 12:11 pm
RIP Rick. A man about whom I know nothing bad, who spent his life playing simple, happy music, and left it with perfect timing.
otpup 12.25.16 at 2:20 pm
As a teen in the 70’s US, greatly enthusiastic about British bands, I am still somewhat gobsmacked that I only learned of the existence of Status Quo in the last several years. I guess the US and UK really are two distinct cultures.
Priest 12.26.16 at 8:32 pm
Without Status Quo there would have been no Spinal Tap.
JGittes 12.26.16 at 9:31 pm
Regarding the last sentence @3. Good god man, we don’t even share a common language. I say that respectfully, as an American expat living in West Sussex.
Val 12.27.16 at 3:51 am
@5
Haha, yes agree as an Australian. On a visit to Yorkshire a few years ago, I asked for directions in a shop. The kindly lady said “go to the white arse and turn right”. “The white arse?” I said doubtfully, wondering if this could be right. “Yes” she said firmly “the white arse.”
So I drove off and found the White Horse pub, solving the mystery.
rea 12.28.16 at 12:14 am
I was a big Steeleye Span fan in my distant youth, and it’s such a pleasure seeing Maddy Prior having s0 much fun. The ’75 version, with her own band:
mrearl 12.28.16 at 5:20 pm
RIP, Rick Parfitt. 2016 have you had enough?
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