• We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from this website. Read more here

Band Identity

elginCity

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Messages
12,935
Location
Swindon
Currently listening to 'Status Quo' at Hyde Park, controversial perhaps but it feels almost a betrayal for them to perform as the Quo in the absence of Parfitt, or should the band live on ? Nirvana folded after Cobain died, Foo Fighters was the result. The Beatles without Lennon or McCartney would have been unthinkable, same for the Stones without Jagger, or Richard ,and maybe Watt. Is the Quo, the Quo, without Parfitt ?

Remember going to watch UB40 a few years ago, people directly in front were complaining loudly that they'd bought tickets and Ali Campbell wasn't singing, his brother was, and he sounded nothing like the original ! Caveat emptor, I guess.

Bands evolve, especially in the early days, but veteran groups who change personnel for whatever reason, and continue to trade off the back catalogue performing live ? Not so sure.
 

Swanaldo

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
May 3, 2005
Messages
17,958
Is the Quo, the Quo, without Parfitt ?
They still sound the same to be fair... :D

But seriously, yes they should have called it a day post-Parfitt. Struggling to think of any band who have maintained their greatness after losing their talisman... (Although honorable mention goes to Adam Lambert for attempting to fill Freddie Mercury's shoes without simply being a soundalike clone).
 

iscalad

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
26,162
Location
Far away across the field
Saw the rump of UB40 year or so ago. Enjoyed the gig.

Without the lead singer, though, you may as well watch a tribute band
 

Rosencrantz

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
10,122
Location
Tiverton
Plenty of bands have had line up changes for all kinds of reasons and continue on. The Rolling Stones have not done too badly since Brian Jones death. I guess the biggest issue is when it is the lead singer or main writer of the band. I know its going back some but Pink Floyd and Genesis both had major success after that kind of change.

Also, what is Francis Rossi to do? Retire? He only has Quo songs to sing and that's what the fans turn up for.
 

Ashford Grecian

Active member
Joined
Feb 28, 2010
Messages
2,236
Location
The Real Ashford(Middx)
Gong are still going after starting in 1967 without a single original member
 

Spoonz Red E

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
12,243
Location
Comfortably mid-table
Gong are still going after starting in 1967 without a single original member
They should call themselves Dinna Gong.

(Good to see Kavus Torabi playing with them now. Knew him when he was in the Cardiacs.)
 

Ashford Grecian

Active member
Joined
Feb 28, 2010
Messages
2,236
Location
The Real Ashford(Middx)
They should call themselves Dinna Gong.

(Good to see Kavus Torabi playing with them now. Knew him when he was in the Cardiacs.)
Looking forward to seeing Kavus and the rest of the band at HRH Prog in Oct :love:
 

elginCity

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Messages
12,935
Location
Swindon
Plenty of bands have had line up changes for all kinds of reasons and continue on. The Rolling Stones have not done too badly since Brian Jones death. I guess the biggest issue is when it is the lead singer or main writer of the band. I know its going back some but Pink Floyd and Genesis both had major success after that kind of change.

Also, what is Francis Rossi to do? Retire? He only has Quo songs to sing and that's what the fans turn up for.
As already mentioned, bands evolve, especially in the early days. Brian Jones was with the Stones for about 5 years, as was Bon Scott with AC/DC. Parfitt was with the Quo for over 40 years, and a big part of its identity. No problem with the 67 year old Frank Rossi and his band continuing to perform Quo songs, but Status Quo should have been retired, out of respect.
 

Rosencrantz

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
10,122
Location
Tiverton
As already mentioned, bands evolve, especially in the early days. Brian Jones was with the Stones for about 5 years, as was Bon Scott with AC/DC. Parfitt was with the Quo for over 40 years, and a big part of its identity. No problem with the 67 year old Frank Rossi and his band continuing to perform Quo songs, but Status Quo should have been retired, out of respect.
It's entirely up to the remaining band members. When Ian Curtis died, they decided to reform as New Order and didn't play any Joy Division tracks for decades. When Richey James disappeared, the Manics decided to carry on as a three piece but still as the Manics playing Richey's songs. Neither are wrong.

It would be strange to see/hear Francis Rossi and his band playing Quo songs not as Status Quo seeing as the Quo were down to Francis and Rick and backing band anyway. Probably stranger for Francis Rossi not seeing his mate there beside him.
 

Colesman Ballz

Very well known Exeweb poster
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
14,850
Are we being a bit precious here, given that we all support Exeter City with it's ever evolving line-up ? ? ? ?
 
Top