Wikipedia

Francis Rossi

Francis Dominic Nicholas Michael Rossi,OBE(born 29 May 1949) is an English musician. He is the co-founder, lead singer, lead guitarist and the sole continuous member of the rock bandStatus Quo.

Francis Rossi
OBE
Rossi performing with Status Quo in 2017
Rossi performing withStatus Quoin 2017
Background information
Birth nameFrancis Dominic Nicholas Michael Rossi[1]
Also known asMike Rossi, Frame, The GOMOR (The Grand Old Man of Rock)
Born(1949-05-29)29 May 1949(age 75)
Forest Hill, London,England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1962–present
Member ofStatus Quo
Websitefrancisrossi

Early life

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Rossi was born on 29 May 1949 inForest Hill, London.His father's side of the family wereItalianice creammerchants and had an ice cream business in South London, and his mother was a Northern IrishRoman CatholicfromLiverpool.[2]He grew up in a household with his parents, grandmother, and "lots of aunts and uncles" and was given a Roman Catholic upbringing, having been named afterSaint Francis of Assisi.[3]He spent his summer holidays as a child with an aunt inWaterloo, Merseyside.[citation needed]

He attended Our Lady and St Philip Neri Roman Catholic Primary School inSydenham,and thenSedgehill Comprehensive School,from which he was expelled on his last day for having allowed his classmates to deface his school uniform.[4]His desire to become a musician began after seeingThe Everly Brotherslive on television at a young age, after which he asked his parents to buy him a guitar for Christmas.[3]

Career

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Early career

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In 1962, while attending Sedgehill Comprehensive School, Rossi became close friends with futureStatus QuobassistAlan Lancasterwhile playingtrumpetin the school orchestra.[5][6]The two, along with other classmates Alan Key (drums) and Jess Jaworski (keyboards), formed a band called the Scorpions, who played their first gig at the Samuel Jones Sports Club inDulwich.Key was later replaced byAir Cadetsdrummer[5]and future Quo memberJohn Coghlan,and the band was renamed the Spectres. The Spectres wrote their own material and played live shows; the line-up soon includedRedhill-based keyboard playerRoy Lynes,whom they had seen performing with a band called the Echoes who were also based in Redhill.[citation needed]

In 1965, the Spectres played at aButlinsholiday camp inMinehead.There Rossi met his future long-time Status Quo partnerRick Parfitt,who was playing as part of another band, the Highlights.[citation needed]The two became close friends and agreed to continue working together. In 1966, the Spectres signed a five-year deal withPiccadilly Records,releasing three singles that failed to chart.[citation needed]The group again changed their name, this time to Traffic Jam, after embracingpsychedelia.[6][7][8]

Status Quo

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Main article:Status Quo (band)
Rossi (far left), with Status Quo in 1978

In 1967, Traffic Jam changed its name to The Status Quo, but eventually dropped thedefinite article.Shortly afterward Parfitt joined the band, completing the original line-up, and beginning an almost 50-year partnership with Rossi until Parfitt's death in 2016.[9]Rossi had written a song called "Pictures of Matchstick Men",which hit the charts in both the UK and the US in 1968, launching their hit-making career.[citation needed]After some years of minor success, the band reached #5 in the album charts in 1972 withPiledriver.[citation needed]Released onVertigo Records,it included "Paper Plane",a song penned by Rossi andBob Young,which was released as a single.[citation needed]

Status Quo continued to enjoy major success in the UK, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand through the 1970s and 1980s.[5]They were the opening act of 1985'sLive Aid,and Rossi wrote and co-wrote some of their biggest hits, including "Caroline"and the band's only number one single,"Down Down".

Early Status Quo albums, up to 1971'sDog of Two Head,credited him as Mike Rossi.[10]Interviewed in 1996, he explained that his own name was deemed "too poncey" by the band's original manager, "so I had to change it to Mike, a real man's name, apparently".[11]Within the band, he is known as "Frame" or "The Gomor" (The Grand Old Man of Rock).[12]

Rossi and Parfitt were the only remaining original members in the band until Parfitt's death in 2016. In 2013 and 2014, Rossi and Parfitt reunited with original Quo bandmates Lancaster and Coghlan for a series of reunion concerts. Over their career, Status Quo have sold over 128 million albums worldwide.[5]

Other projects

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In 1984, the year before Quo opened Live Aid, Rossi and Parfitt appeared on theBand Aidcharity single, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"Rossi has also pursued solo projects outside Status Quo. In 1985 when the band was on hold, he recorded twosingleswith his longtime writing partner Bernie Frost. The single releases were "Modern Romance (I Want to Fall in Love Again)" (UKNo. 54[13]), and "Jealousy". In 1996 he issued a solo album,King of the Doghouse,which was not a commercial success, although it produced a UK No. 42 single, "Give Myself to Love".[13]

Some years earlier, in 1976, he had appeared on the soundtrack album and filmAll This and World War IIcomprisingcover versionsof songs bythe Beatles.Although the album sleeve credits the performance of "Getting Better" to Status Quo, the track featured Rossi's vocals and theLondon Symphony Orchestra.[citation needed]In 1977, he produced and played guitar onJohn Du Cann's solo albumThe World's Not Big Enough.3 May 2010 saw the release of his second solo album,One Step at a Time,including a re-recording of Quo's 1973 single "Caroline".[citation needed]

In 2013, Rossi starred as himself alongside Quo bandmate Parfitt in theadventure comedyfilmBula Quo!,which followed the duo on an adventure inFiji,getting involved in localMafiaoperations on the island.[citation needed]

In 2019, Rossi released a joint album with UK singer and violinist Hannah Rickard, entitledWe Talk Too Muchon the earMusic label.[14]The same year, he released hisautobiographyI Talk Too Much(published byLittle, Brown), as well as announcing aspoken wordtour of the UK of the same name.[15]

Musical equipment

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Rossi's guitar of choice is theFender Telecaster,and he has used several over the years including his trademark green 1957 model with a maple fretboard, which he purchased in 1968.[16]It was originallysunburst,but was painted green in 1970. Through the years several parts had been replaced withG&Lparts, and a third pickup had been installed in a configuration much like aStratocaster.[citation needed]

He also owns two other green Fender Telecasters that are both brighter in colour and feature rosewood fretboards. One is used for the song "Down Down"and the other for"Whatever You Want".[citation needed]Like his main guitar they are both in a three-pickup configuration.[citation needed]

In December 2014, Rossi was said to be "heartbroken" when his green 1957 Telecaster, after 46 years of use, became worn beyond use—the wood having become too soft to be able to properly tune the instrument.[17]The guitar was sold at auction in 2019 for £118,813.[18]

For amplification Rossi uses Marshall JCM800 or JCM900 Lead series amplifiers with 4x12 cabinets and a Roland GP8 to boost his signal. The sound from his Marshall rig is blended withVoxAC30 amplifiers that are kept behind his Marshall setup. He also uses software like Amplitube in the studio.[19]

Style

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Rossi performing in 2014

Rossi, along with the rest of Status Quo, has often been described as "uncool", including by Rossi himself; in March 2013, he called the Status Quo ofc.1974 "the most uncool band in the world".[20]On stage, Rossi normally sported a black waistcoat, blue jeans and a pair of white trainers. In a December 2000 review of a Status Quo concert atWembley Arena,Andrew Gilchrist writing forThe Guardiancalled the white trainers "the only" visual "[the band] really have".[21]

Interviewed bySimon HattenstoneforThe Guardianin 2007, Rossi said that he had idolisedLittle Richard,saying: "I think that's where we got the energy. To me it's synonymous with doing rock'n'roll. If you don't commit physically, rock'n'roll doesn't really work."[22]

Personal life

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Rossi married his second wife Eileen in 1989[23]and has eight children from his two marriages. Interviewed in 2011, he said that all of his children played music professionally.[3][11]

Rossi (right) and long-time Status Quo partnerRick Parfittin 2013, at the premiere ofBula Quo!

Rossi was estranged from his daughter Bernadette for seventeen years after his relationship with rock publicist Elizabeth Gernon broke up. They reunited in 2007, and her band Bernadette and The North supported Status Quo on that year's tour.[24]

In 2019 his autobiography,I Talk Too Much,was published by the Little, Brown Book Group.[25]Rossi refers to himself as alapsed Catholic.[26]

Rossi was known for his long ponytail, which he started growing out around 1974.[27]After 35 years,[28]Rossi cut the ponytail off in 2009, when he noticed his hair was progressively thinning as he was approaching his 60th birthday.[27]"It looked fabulous - I felt like a fashion icon! But in the past few years my hair has got so thin that there's not enough to work into a decent ponytail. A few weeks ago it dawned on me that I looked ridiculous. So I decided to forget about clinging to my youth and it was time to grow old gracefully. When it came off I was horrified to look at these six inches of wizened grey strands. I realised I must have looked really stupid."[27](Rossi, 2009 interview)

Addictions

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After years of excess, Rossi is teetotal and no longer takes drugs. Rossi claimed to have spent £1.7 million on cocaine in the 1980s.[29]This heavy cocaine use resulted in a piece of hisnasal septumfalling out, leaving a hole inside his nose which he once "pushed a cotton bud through during a TV interview" in order to demonstrate the dangers of drug addiction to young people.[30]In October 2014, Rossi told BBC'sHARDtalkthat alcohol was thegatewaythat led to his cocaine habit.[31]Despite no longer drinking alcohol, in 2010 Rossi became chairman of the 196-year-old Glen Rossie brand of whisky, which the band used to drink whilst on tour.[32]

Accolades

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Rossi was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to music and charity, along with Parfitt.[1][33]Rossi said "It's one thing going out to play in front of 50,000 people but talking to the Queen – well that's quite another. We were both so humbled by the experience. I mean, this is the Queen after all. She is England, isn't she? We have grown up with her as our figurehead since we were tiny children and she's still going strong at 83. Not a very rock and roll thing to say I know, but she is simply amazing."[34]

Discography

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For a more comprehensive list, seeStatus Quo discography.

References

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  1. ^ab"No. 59282".The London Gazette(Supplement). 31 December 2009. p. 11.
  2. ^"Francis Rossi, a man's man".The Independent.20 July 1996.Retrieved30 May2015.
  3. ^abc"Francis Rossi: My family values".The Guardian.11 June 2011.Retrieved30 May2015.
  4. ^"Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Francis Rossi, lead guitar player and singer of Status Quo".The Independent.28 September 2006.Retrieved30 May2015.
  5. ^abcdParker, Alan (2012). "Hello Quo". BBC.
  6. ^abYoung, Bob (2000).Status Quo: Just Doin' It!(1st ed.). London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 27.ISBN1-84403-562-X.
  7. ^Roberts, David (1998).Guinness Rockopedia(1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p.417.ISBN0-85112-072-5.
  8. ^Strong, Martin C. (2000).The Great Rock Discography(5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 927–929.ISBN1-84195-017-3.
  9. ^"Francis Rossi: Rick Parfitt was part of my story for 50 years".BelfastTelegraph.co.uk.26 December 2016.Retrieved30 October2024.
  10. ^Dog of Two Head(Media notes). Pye Records. 1971. SLDPY 818.
  11. ^abWalsh, John (20 July 1996)."Francis Rossi, a man's man".The Independent.Retrieved27 December2016.
  12. ^"Francis Rossi".Status Quo (official website).Retrieved8 January2023.
  13. ^abRoberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums(19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 471.ISBN1-904994-10-5.
  14. ^"We Talk Too Much – Hannah Rickard, Francis Rossi | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".AllMusic.
  15. ^"Front Page, Francis Rossi official website".Francis Rossi official website.Retrieved1 June2019.
  16. ^"Francis Rossi's classic Status Quo Fender Telecaster sells at auction".Music Radar.19 December 2019.Retrieved10 February2021.
  17. ^"EXCLUSIVE: Quo star Rossi forced to ditch guitar he's played for 46 years".Daily Express.6 December 2014.Retrieved30 May2015.
  18. ^"Francis Rossi's classic Status Quo Fender Telecaster sells at auction".19 December 2019.
  19. ^"Official Rossi at the official Status Quo website".statusquo.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 15 November 2012.Retrieved20 September2014.
  20. ^"The Making Of… Status Quo's Down Down".Uncut.12 December 2013.Retrieved30 May2015.
  21. ^"Quo do the hokey cokey".The Guardian.18 December 2000.Retrieved30 May2015.
  22. ^Hattenstone, Simon (3 November 2007)."Better the denim you know".The Guardian.Retrieved24 September2016.
  23. ^"Francis Rossi spills the beans – Independent.ie".25 April 2012.Retrieved21 January2018.
  24. ^"Meeting Dad strikes a chord".Daily Echo.30 October 2007.Retrieved30 May2015.
  25. ^Rossi, Francis (2019).I Talk Too Much.Little, Brown Book Group.ISBN978-1-4721-3019-8.OCLC1033573877.
  26. ^Mears, Jo (10 June 2011)."Francis Rossi: My family values".the Guardian.Retrieved19 January2023.
  27. ^abc"Quo's Francis Rossi cuts off ponytail".Digital Spy.10 March 2009.Retrieved29 October2024.
  28. ^Dee, Johnny (11 March 2009)."The show goes on... but the hair just won't".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved29 October2024.
  29. ^"Francis Rossi: 'I spent £1.7m on cocaine in the Eighties'".The Telegraph.17 June 2013.Retrieved1 June2015.
  30. ^"Status Quo Singer Washed His Nose Off During $2.5m Coke Habit".MusicFeeds.17 June 2013.Retrieved1 June2015.
  31. ^"Alcohol led me to cocaine says Status Quo's Francis Rossi".BBC News.30 October 2014.Retrieved1 June2015.
  32. ^"Status Quo star Francis Rossi to head Glen Rossie whisky".The Scotsman.25 April 2010.Retrieved2 June2015.
  33. ^"Status Quo stars and Formula One champion honoured".BBC News.31 December 2009.Retrieved31 December2009.
  34. ^"Knighthood: Status Quo stars Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi recieve [sic] OBE ".iranian.Retrieved24 September2016.
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