"ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE YEARS"
- Status Quo in the year 2000
Chronological:
17.01.2000: the band is in ARSIS studio, to choose songs for a second cover album and to record them. The album will be titled "Famous in the last Century" and is due to be out in April.
Again Mike Paxman is the producer.
27.01.2000: Start of the BBC2-Radio series "Electrify - The history of electric guitar." This documentary tells the history of the e-guitar, when Leo Fender invented the Stratocaster-Guitar until today. Important guitarists were introduced. Moderator of the whole series was Rick Parfitt.
January 2000: the german music television VIVA published their TOP100 of the best all-time albums; Status Quo were voted on No.35 with the album "Rockin all over the world". Winner - "Stgt. Peppers" by The Beatles.
January 2000: the german "Going Quoing"-Newsletter 01/00 was published.
January 2000: german label Delta-Music released the Status Quo-Sampler "Tune to the Music" (Cat.No. Laserlight 21102) with 13 songs of the PYE-period and 3 songs from the Spectres. ...click here for cover
28.02.2000: the third CD out of the Spectrum series "The Essential Status Quo Vol.3" was released (Cat.No. Spectrum Music 554 897-2). 18 songs from 1972 to 1988 are included on this compilation.
28.02.2000: release of the "Under the Influence"-CD in Australia, with the bonus-tracks "Sea Cruise" and "Pictures of Matchstick Man '99" plus a poster of the band (Cat.No. Australian EastWest 857380609-2)
February 2000: the german newsletters "Rockers Rollin"-Newsletter No.45 and "Going Quoing" 02/00 were published.
February 2000: the Status Quo fanzine "On the Level" No.5 was published. Content: a review of the "Thirsty Work"-album, a write-up of Status Quo's producer Pip Williams and the Status Quo albums which he produced. Also included a review of the Dave Oxley book "Rockers Rollin" and a report of journalist Kevin White about being a fan of Status Quo.
February/March 2000: Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt had been filmed and interviewed by the BBC television. Some of the filmings were later used for the Status Quo documentary "Excess all Areas", which was broadcasted on Eastern. The interviews were chosen for the "Famous in the last century" Video.
27.03.2000: the long awaited fanclub-concert of the band took place in Londons Shepherds Bush. The band performed playback the 15 songs of the new cover album, which was to be released on 15th April. After the presentation a 50 minutes live show followed. The show was recorded and the songs "Gerdundula"; "4500 Times / Rain" were later published on the 2 single-releases.
And it was the last concert of drummer Jeff Rich, who short after announced his retirement.
30.03.2000: Status Quo performed at the german ZDF-Show "Gottschalks TV-Welt" and played a medley consisting of "In the army now"; "Whatever you want" and "Rockin all over the world". The drummer was no other than producer Mike Paxman, because Jeff Rich had already retired and a new drummer wasn't found.
March 2000: the german "Rockers Rollin"-Newsletter No.46 and his conterpart "Going Quoing"-Newsletter 03/00 were published.
Eastern 2000: the Status Quo documentary "Excess all areas" was broadcasted in british television. Interviews with first manager Pat Barlow, ex-drummer John Coghlan and ex-bass player Alan Lancaster and others were featured in this documentary.
03.04.2000: official announcement of Status Quo that drummer Jeff Rich had retired. From 1985 onwards he was the drummer of Status Quo. He wanted to have more time for his family and his drum-masterclass, to teach pupils in playing drums.
08.04.2000: the band was honoured with the dutch Eddison Award in Amsterdam for outstanding contributions to the dutch music. Again with Mike Paxman on the drums the band performed a medley.
17.04.2000: UK-release of the cover album "Famous in the last century" by Universal Music TV (Cat.No. 157814-2) 14 cover versions of well-known Rock n Roll classics are included on this album plus the self-penned title-track written by Andrew Bown. In UK the album was released on CD and on cassette format.
17.04.2000: Mercury Records / Germany released the Status Quo sampler "Break the Rules" out of their series "Ilja Richter präsentiert." 14 songs are included on this CD which was released also on cassette format. (Cat.No. 542 613-2)
24.04.2000: the new album entered the UK charts and climbed up to No. 19.
25.04.2000: release of the "Famous in the last century"- album in Germany.
April 2000: the new fanclub magazin of the official Status Quo fanclub "From the makers of" Vol.5 No.3 was published. Main theme of this issue of course the new cover album "Famous in the last century" with interviews of all band members. Also the retirement of the tour production manager Peter Hillier was declared in this issue.
April 2000: another publication of german written newsletters - "Rockers Rollin" No.47 and "Going Quoing" 04/00.
02.05.2000: first single release of the new album in UK: "Mony Mony" (Cat.No. Universal Music TV 158 013-2) originally recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells in 1968. Other songs included on this Maxi-CD are the full version of "Famous in the last century" and "Gerdundula" live from the Shepherds Bush gig and for PC-users the CD-videofile "Mony Mony". The single was issued in UK as Maxi-CD and as cassette. The Maxi-CD was released in Germany too. ...click here for cover
early May 2000: another sampler was released by Delta Music in Germany - "Rockin all over the world" (Cat.No. 23 106). 14 songs are issued on this CD, notable: an almost 13 minutes version of "Forty Five Hundred Times".
08.05.2000: the new album "Famous in the last century" entered the german album charts with highest pos. No.46 and a total of 4 weeks in the charts.
09.05.2000: UK charts entry of the new single "Mony Mony" on No. 48 with 1 week in the charts.
10.05.2000: official announcement of the new drummer; Matt Letley (born 29.3.1961). He worked as studio and live musician for Bob Geldof, Snowy White, Hank Marvin and others. More information about Matt Letley on his website: www.mattletley.com
18.05.2000: a Rick Parfitt special was broadcasted in british ITV television in their series "Stars and their Lives". Flash backs on highlights of Rick Parfitt's career and life. In between the show Francis Rossi appeared much to the astonishment and pleasure of Rick Parfitt.
18.05.2000: press release, that Andy Bown retired from live work with the band because of personal reasons. His substitute was found in keyboard player Paul Hirsh, who had to learn the live set within shortest time to be ready for the forth-coming german tour.
19.05.2000: kick-off of the german Status Quo tour in the Ostseehalle of Kiel. The german tour spanned a total of 18 shows and after 3-weeks break another 4 german dates. Special guests of the first shows were "Fair Warning", after that local bands appeared as support.
21.05.2000: the Status Quo CD "Grandes Mitos" was issued on the spain newspaper "La Vanguardia" including the songs "In the army now"; "The Wanderer"; "Rockin all over the world"; "Living on an island" and "Marguerita Time". (Cat.No. 20 805-2000)
May 2000: the german "Rockers Rollin"-Newsletter was published 2 times in May (No.48 and No.49) and the german "Going Quoing"-Newsletter 05/00 was published too.
June 2000: the first Status Quo DVD was released in Germany - the "Anniversary Waltz"-Video was released by Castle Music Pictures (Cat.No. MAWA 707).
June 2000: a Status Quo lottery at the german ONYX-television. The price for the winners were a VIP-Ticket for the german tour. The ticket included a so called "all inclusive" package with sound-check, the show and the after show party.
June 2000: publication of the german "Going Quoing"-Newsletter 06/00 with the announcement of a UK-tour in 2 parts. One tour in October and the other one in December. In between a tour in Australia.
July 2000: the Castle Pulse label released the sampler "At their Best" (Cat.No. PLS CD206). Its a rerelease of CD "The Best Of Status Quo – Ice In the Sun", which was released in 1997.
July 2000: the "On the Level"-Fanzine No.6 was published. The main part of this issue is about the new cover album "Famous in the last century"; a gig review of the open air show in Gelsenkirchen, Germany; a review of the Status Quo documentary "Excess all areas"; a report about all drummers of Status Quo; press reviews of the new album etc.
July 2000: the fanclub-magazine of the dutch fanclub "The Army" was published the 50th time in 12 1/2 years.
July 2000: the german newsletter "Rockers Rollin" No.50 had been sent out.
August 2000: the news came up, that Francis Rossi and Bob Young were writing songs together after a long time.
August 2000: Russian release of the non-licensed compilation "Collection 2000" (Cat.No. Polystar AP01097). 21 songs are included on this CD. Later this compilation appeared with the title "Grand Collection". Cover see above.
August 2000: the "Rockers Rollin"-Newsletter No.51 was published.
05.09.2000: in Londons "100 Club" Status Quo's Bassist John "Rhino" Edwards revealed his long-awaited first solo-album to the public.
11.09.2000: Eagle Records released John "Rhino" Edwards Solo-Album "Rhino's Revenge" (Cat.No. 143EAG). 11 songs are featured on this album, 10 self-penned songs by "Rhino" and one song is written by Rhino and Mike Paxman, who produced the album. Guest musicians on this album were Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Andrew Bown and Matt Letley.
11.09.2000: the australian label "Festival Mushroom Group" released the "Famous in the last century" (Cat.No. Festival Music D32247) in Australia. Its an exclusive australian edition with the bonus tracks "Whatever you want" (1998); "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (1999); "Fun Fun Fun" and "Raining in my heart". Picture see above.
18.09.2000: a rerelease of the sampler "THE SINGLES COLLECTION 1966-73" (Cat.No. Castle Music CMDDD015) appeared by Castle Music - the original release was in 1998.
26.09.2000: in the well-known auction house "Christies", London, old guitars of Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi had been sold at the auction "Pop and Collectible Guitar Sale".
30.09.2000: the annual fanclub-meeting "QUODAG" of the dutch fanclub "The army" was held in Eerbek/Netherlands.
September 2000: the new issue "From the makers of" Vol.5 No.4 of the official Status Quo fanclub had been published with an exclusive John "Rhino" Edwards interview about his solo-album "Rhino's Revenge" and the band members had been asked about their recent activities.
September 2000: the german "Going Quoing"-Newsletter 07/00 was published.
01.10.2000: the first part of the UK-Tour kicked-off in Llandudno. 14 shows were played until 17th October.
02.10.2000: just in time for the UK-tour the second single release of the year with the song "Old Time Rock n Roll" (Cat.No. Universal Music TV 159 793-2) taken from the "Famous in the last century" album. The song was originally recorded by Bob Seger in 1978 and is included on his "Stranger in Town" album. Additional songs on this Maxi-CD are "4500 Times" and "Rain" both recorded live at the Sheperds Bush gig; 27.3.2000 and a CD-Rom video of "Old Time Rock n Roll" (performed at the Shepherds Bush gig). The single was issued in UK on CD format and on cassette format. ...click here for cover
24.10.2000: start of the australian tour in Cairns. This tour included a total of 11 concerts.
October 2000: the video "Famous in the last century" was released by Eagle Rock (Cat.No. Eagle Rock Entertainment ERE 152). It featured all cover songs, who are played at the Shepherds Bush show in March. After that there is an interview with Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi, which was filmed earlier the year.
October 2000: the dutch label DISKY released the Status Quo sampler "The Best of Status Quo" (Cat.No. Disky SI 995432). 16 songs of the PYE period are featured on this CD.
October 2000: the british warehouse Marks & Spencer sold exclusively the Status Quo Best of CD "The Collection" (Cat.No. Marks & Spencer MS 4822). The CD included 20 songs and the booklet features a good biography of the band written by Daryl Easlea. See picture above.
October 2000: the Status Quo song "Pictures of Matchstick Men" was covered by the german heavy rockband ATROCITY. The song was issued on their MAXI-CD "Taste of Sin".
October 2000: the german newsletter "Rockers Rollin" No.52 was published.
Ende October 2000: at Media Markt Germany the Status Quo CD "Mediamarkt präsentiert - Status Quo" (Cat.No. Mercury 548 189-2) was exclusively released. 12 Songs are featured on this BEST-of CD. ...click here for cover
04.11.2000: a big surprise at the Status Quo show in Brisbane. Roy Lynes, Quo's ex-Keyboarder appeared on stage and played keyboards during the song "Roll over Beethoven". It was the first time since 30 years that Roy Lynes played the keyboards for Status Quo.
13.11.2000: Germany saw the release of the DVD "Famous in the last century". Its identical with the October release of the video (Cat.No. Eagle Vision EREDV 152)
22.11.2000: a "Status Quo live special" was broadcasted at BBC's "Top of the Pops 2" show featuring old and new videos of the band. In May the band therefore was at the BBC studios to record some songs live.
23.11.2000: Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi are guests of the "Jeremy Clarkson" TV show.
27.11.2000: UK release of the "Famous in the last century"-DVD .
29.11.2000: the second part of the UK-tour kicked off in Plymouth. Another 15 concerts were played by the band until the 16th December.
29.11.2000: the german pay TV Premiere broadcasted in his "Classic Rock" radio station a 1-hour Status Quo special out of their series "Rock over the world" with lots of Quo music and Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi are telling about highlights of their career.
November 2000: out of their series "The Universal Master Collection", Universal Netherlands released a Status Quo compilation "Classic Status Quo" (Cat.No. 548 356-2). 15 songs are featured on this CD. This compilation will be released several times during the next years with the same Catalogue number. ...click here for cover
November 2000: the "Rockers Rollin"-Newsletter No.53 was published.
November 2000: the "On the Level"-Fanzine No.7 was published. Contents: a review of "Rhinos" solo-album und a very good interview with the authors of the fanzine and John "Rhino" Edwards and there are several tour reports of the October tour.
December 2000: last time the german Status Quo newsletter "Rockers Rollin" No.54 was published.
December 2000: publication of the german "Going Quoing"-Newsletter 07/00.
more news of the year:
Brasil: release of the brasilian Status Quo sampler "Retrospective" (Cat.No. 199ND6010) with 20 songs featured on this CD. ...click here for cover
Russia: a CD entitled "BCË 3PAOTO MNPA" (Cat.No. ESMCD 1010 1047990) was released with 23 songs mainly from the "Thirsty Work"- and "Aint Complaining"-albums.
miscellaneous: the Pink Floyd Live-CD "Another brick in the Wall" was released - Andy Bown played for Pink Floyd on his tour and he is mentioned on the booklet.
the english Heavyrock-band Raven covered Status Quo's "Big Fat Mama" included on their album "One for all". This album was only available in Japan.(Cat.No. PCCY01405)
UK discography 2000:
Album: "Famous in the last century" (Cat.No. Universal Music TV 157814-2)
Album:"The Collection" (Cat.No. Marks & Spencer MS 4822)
Album:"THE SINGLES COLLECTION 1966-73" (Cat.No. Castle Music CMDDD015)
Album:"The Essential Status Quo Vol.3" (Cat.No. Spectrum Music 554 897-2)
