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(from scrapbook 2, page 23)

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STATUS QUO/Snafu: Sunderland Empire

On the other side of the coin, the next evening found me eleven miles further east for another of the North-East's fave raves. The concert was held in one of those variety theatres where your mum and dad would normally take you to see Cinderella (or something) around Christmas. Well, there was certainly a ball on Sunday! After a very pleasant and musically satisfying opening set from Snafu - full marks, lads! - All hell was let loose as Status Quo opened their latest British tour.

What a place to open! The manager and his band of trustworthies didn't know what hit them. It was quite obvious to me, trapped between stage and a heaving, sweating, screaming mountin [sic] of Quo fanatics, valiantly held back by said manager and trustworthies, that security and safety problems hadn't even been thought of, let alone executed. Hurriedly, theatre staff brought in reinforcing poles, old mike stands and planks of wood to shore up a fast deteriorating orchestra pit wall. If it hadn't been too scarey [sic] it would have been hilarious. At least Francis Rossi though [sic] it was funny.

Well, what can you say about Quo? On the night they were just brilliant. (that's another drink you owe me Francis). Really, they were. Pounding out their individual brand of rock and blues, there was no holding them. Pounding rhythm, flashing lights, Rossi and co leaping like madmen around the stage! the excitement they generate just literally feeds back from the crowd like an electric current.

Look out you other towns and cities, when Quo hit town. They're back with a vengeance and how!

Quote from Rossi on why they didn't play their new single: "Well, if we do, we will. If we don't we won't. - Anyway, it's hard at the top" (Hand raised to forehead).

Ian Dickson