Fans of Status Quo are forced to confront reality when Francis Rossi auctions off famous stage gear.

UKGlobal PoliticsRoyalUSWeather ScienceStrange Nature and HistorySunday Home News in Your AreaUK
As Francis Rossi auctions off famous stage gear, Status Quo fans are forced to confront reality.
With leader Francis Rossi parting with the band’s unique stage equipment, Status Quo’s signature sound could soon become a treasured memory.
Written by Paul Jeeves
Friday, November 22, 2024, 16:51 | UPDATED: Friday, November 22, 2024, 10Make a bookmark

Rock band playing guitars on stage

“No more rockin'” – Status Quo (Photo: Status Quo)
When leader Francis Rossi put all of the band’s stage gear up for sale, fans of the iconic rock group Status Quo began to worry that the band’s days of rocking the world were over.

Fans will have the opportunity to purchase their own piece of rock history when the band’s iconic “backline,” which included the white-cased row of Marshall JCM 800 amps, is put under the hammer.

However, they will require substantial funds, as the estimated sale proceeds at Gardiner Houlgate auctioneers in Corsham, Wilts, on December 3 are anticipated to exceed £45,000.

The band claims that a large portion of the equipment up for sale is “almost still warm” from their last performance on a massive European tour this summer, which ended in Taunton, Somerset, in August at what Francis Rossi implied would be the band’s final performance.With the white covering on the amplifiers, which Marshall specially made for the band in order to better reflect light shows than the customary black, their new backline became essential to the band’s appearance and sound in recent decades.

Numerous items from Rossi’s Surrey home studio, which he used to record both his solo and Quo recordings, are also up for sale.

“This equipment can still deliver at the top of its range even though it has lived a life,” remarked Rossi, 75.

All of these things have been used directly by the band, have traveled great distances with us, and were most recently utilized during the gig in Taunton, UK, on August 23.

“This is authentic. It’s time to give these things to our supporters now that Quo’s phase is finished.

“Status Quo are a British rock institution, so it’s with mixed feelings that we’re auctioning their equipment,” said auctioneer Luke Hobbs.

But Quo’s fans will have the opportunity to own a piece of British rock history through the sale. We anticipate a high level of interest.

With singles like Caroline, Paper Plane, Whatever You Want, and the number one hit Down Down, the band, which was founded in 1962 and changed their name to Status Quo in 1967, established a place for blues-based boogie in the British rock scene.

After selling off their massive backline of Vox amplifiers and leaving the stage in 1984, Quo was forced to rent a set the following year in order to begin Live Aid.