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(from scrapbook 3, page 5)

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STATUS QUO London

Let's set the record straight!

Status Quo say that this is their twentieth anniversary tour. In fact, it's 20 years ago that Francis Rossi first played guitar in a band (it was called The Spectres). What's more, blond bombshell Rick Parfitt didn't join him until 1968 when they enjoyed their first chart success with "Pictures Of Matchstick Men".

All these facts and more are now being bandied around for the benefit of newcomers to Status Quo - not least of whom is His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, who was The Quo's special guest at their Birmingham gig.

It was surprising, then, that they didn't play more of their older material at the Hammersmith Odeon.

Clad in their customary denim (just like the audience!), they started with "Caroline" from 1973 which promptly slid into "Roll Over Lay Down" from "75. The sound was sparkling and the lighting lively and imaginative.

The only problem was that Francis had flu. He explained that he felt a mite like Malcolm from that well-known nasal spray advert - and he sounded like it.

Nevertheless, he carried on manfully, tossing back those famous locks all the time like a horse trying to shake out its mane. The rest of the band enthusiastically buckled down to the job in hand, although new drummer Pete Kirchner (sic) occasionally looked a little bored.

No-one could accuse The Quo of not giving value for hard-earned money. For two and a half hours they zipped out one anthem after another and the audience went particularly demented during "Don't Drive My Car" and "Whatever You Want".

Roll on their twenty first anniversary!

Jill Sinclair

Image caption: Rick Parfitt (left) and the 'flu-ridden Rossi: thanks for the memory.