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Happily Accidental as Status Quo's Francis Rossi returns to studio

Shields Gazette

February 05, 2026

It might seem an odd thing to say about a band with 22 UK top 10 singles and four number one albums, but Status Quo are underrated.

Happily Accidental as Status Quo's Francis Rossi returns to studio

Starting off in psychedelia during the 1960s, with hits like Pictures Of Matchstick Men and Ice In The Sun, the Sevenies saw the band led by Francis Rossi and the late Rick Parfitt moving towards the infectious groove-led hard rock which would define their career.

Bolstered by drummer John Coghlan and bassist Alan Lancaster, the band went from fast-and-furious classic hits such as Paper Plane, Caroline and the UK number one Down Down, before releasing the cheesier Marguerita Time and In The Army Now.

This story is from the February 05, 2026 edition of Shields Gazette.

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