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(from scrapbook 1, page 19)

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LETTERS
Say it loud to: Letters. Kerrang! 40 Longacre, London WC2

QUO v AC/DC
THE KONTROVERSY STARTS HERE!

WHO IS this joker, this clown, THIS IMBECIBLE (big word eh?) who has the guts to call Angus Young a 'woofta'. Can he not feel the energy and feeling this kid puts into his solos, let alone the sense of humour? If anyone told us that Lemmy's grandfather, alias Francis Rossi, could play a solo of the complexity of 'Let There Be Rock', while jumping off a PA or spinning round on his bum we would laugh in his face.

It is not only AC/DC's guitar that fills us with neck ache, but also the leering, taunting and teasing voice of the late Bon Scott, which was superceded by the gut wrenching power of Brian Johnson, which could blast away the monotone mumbling of Parfitt & Co any day.

As far as we are concerned, Angus will still be stamping bad tempered feet, foaming at the mouth and throwing off every stitch of his sweaty clothing long after the fogeys in Quo are collecting their pensions (if they aren't already).

PS. The picture of Bon was amazing, thanks. — K.E.S. 5th form, King Edward the Sixth School, Southampton, Hampshire.

THOSE THREE dicks from Battersea (Kerrang! No 7) don't know what the f--- they re talking about. They called Angus Young 'a raving woofta who supposedly plays guitar' and said that Status Quo were better than AC/DC. Status Quo are the biggest bunch of tits we've ever come across. I would file them next to Adam and the Ants. It's obvious that these so called HM fans don't know what HM is. AC/DC are great as is their guitarist. Francis Rossi (their god) must be about ready for his pension. And so what if they've beén going for almost 20 years, it doesn't mean they're good. They say things improve with age, well Status Quo certainly haven't. These guys from Battersea obviously don't know where their balls are. Anon.

I WOULD like to congratulate Tony Shailer and his two mates on his great letter of support to the Quo. Everywhere you look there's creeps who don't know what they're on about, running Quo down, their music being all the same and all that crap. Half of them have never seen Quo live, when they're at their very best. And the other half are too busy listening to Bucks Fizz to have time to listen to real music. Well done the three fellas for writing a bit of truth. It makes a great change to hear someone who knows what they're on about. - Ross and Spud, two loyal Quo fans.

And here are some of the numerous letters we received on Quo vs AC/DC.

...Status Quo have more right than any other rock group to be in this fantastic mag. That's where they belong, that's where they'll stay. - Curly

...Anything's better than Status Quo, when you've heard one LP, you've heard the lot. - Pete Morris, York

We have a lot, well some, respect for Quo but they are a little slow and old fashioned for Kerrangers such as us. AC/DC are the new arrivals and are just as popular, if not more so, than Quo. As to what you said about Angus Young, he is the best overall entertainer to set foot on a stage. - Ken, Dave and Pete, Scotland...

Quo are absolutely superb, they are the best, the greatest heavy group out. As for Rick Parfitt, he's the best. - Jacka, Blackpool...

...If those three morons think Francis 'Flossie' Rossi plays the guitar better than Angus Young they want a good kick up the arse. - Dave Gibbs, Mike German and Andy Welbourn, South Humberside...

...On his day Angus makes Rossi look an idiot. - Rhys, Cressex School...

...Since the early seventies Quo's records have all been the friggin' same. - Anon...

...I find Quo about as exciting as your own mother's funeral. — M. Harrison, Bolton...

...Status Quo are the best rock band ever. They always have been and always will be. - Status Quo fan, London...

Status Quo, despite their track record, have about as much musical ability as a wet fart. - Peter Nash...

...Master Angus can play better than senile Rossi with his hands tied. Rossi is old enough to be our grandad. — John and David Crawford, Andrew Davies, Andrew Cook, Lee Duddell, Gareth Crabbe, Wallingford...

...Our Lord, King, God Angus Young is one of the best guitarists in the world and Francis Rossi is a poof because he wears earrings. - W. Holland, Surrey...

...I think both groups are fantastic. If I'm not blaring my eardrums with AC/DC, I'm smashing my skull off the wall, headbanging to Status Quo. - An AC/DC and Status Quo freak, Glasgow...

...If you print any more letters from angry Quo fans I'll go berserk. — Peter Adair, Dumfriesshire...

I'VE JUST watched the 'Old Grey Whistle Test 'Pick of the Year' in the vain hope that I'd hear some decent music. How naive! 'Pick of the Year' implies the best of the year, it?

Well I, for one, thought HM (or whatever you choose to call it) had had rather a good year in 1981! Presumably Miss Nightingale doesn't agree. Or maybe whatever brain she has lurking under her frightfully nice, trendy haircut has been affected by too much exposure to groups like Japan, the Skids and the Residents (who?) - for these, apparently, WERE the 'Pick of the Year'!?? And the best she had to offer US was vintage Hendrix and the Doors - very welcome, but what about today's music? Presumably, we were supposed to be forelock-tugging grateful for such 'heavies' as the Pretenders and Bob Seger.

I, at the not particularly ancient age of 22, can remember a time when OGWT used to be good! Perhaps someone of influence should, in the nicest possible way, bellow a few suggestions in the lady's ear. Meanwhile bring back the enchanting Whispering Bob! — Miss Disgruntled, The Frozen North, Cumbria.

I'VE ONLY been a fan of HM for two years and with my brother have collected nearly 80 singles, albums and tapes. I know that's not much but it's not bad. As well as that I have seen five HM bands live in concert. My hair isn't long but I do have a denim jacket plastered with patches.

All this sounds fair enough but when I tell you that I am only 12 years old you will probably faint. Anybody (almost) can like HM. I really wish there was a special under 14 section at gigs because my parents will never take me to one again. As for Kerrang!, keep up the Armed and Ready series.

Let's have more on Iron Maiden. — Bill, Merseyside.

Image captions: (left, AC/DC) Who's a "Woofta'?, (right, Quo) Yuk... I can't look