A cover of John Fogerty’s Rockin’ All Over the World, gave Status Quo a huge UK hit in 1977.
maintaining the status quo
Since I’ve been dabbling with this seventiesmusic blog I’ve been amazed by the number of bands of that era who are still performing. And, almost half a century since they formed, Status Quo is one of them.
The group began in 1962 under the name, The Spectres. In 1967 they morphed to The Status Quo and then, in 1969 settled on plain, Status Quo.
In all that time (well most of it) two guys, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, have remained central to the band.
a plethora of platters
Status Quo have certainly been busy over those 50 years. Since their first hit – Pictures of Matchstick Men in 1968 – they have recorded over 60 UK chart hits. That’s more than any other rock group. 22 of them have reached the Top Ten.
btw – trivia
The band’s first single, Pictures of Matchstick Men, is also their only US top 40 single.
rockin’ all over the world fax
- Rockin’ All Over the World was written by ex-Creedence Clearwater Revival band member, John Fogerty. It first appeared on his self-titled second solo album (1975). Released as a single it peaked at #27 on the US charts but was somewhat harshly critiqued by music critics.
- Status Quo’s version of Rockin’ All Over the World was released as a single in 1977. It featured on their album of the same name.
- I’ve tried to find the original music video of this song because, when it was recorded, Alan Lancaster the bass player, was living in Australia. He refused to return for the recording and so he was replaced by a dummy with a bass guitar wrapped around its neck!
In 1985, Rockin’ All Over the World became the unofficial anthem of Live Aid. Status Quo were the opening act and began with this song. It was then used for subsequent promos for the event.- Then, in 2005, at Live 8, Coldplay revived the moment by performing a portion of the song.
- Cover versions have been performed by The Georgia Satellites and Bon Jovi, Carl Wilson, The Beach Boys, and Bruce Springsteen.
- Rockin’ All Over the World lyrics.
rockin’ all over the world – status quo – 1977 – video
rockin’ all over the world – john fogerty – 1975 – video
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seventies music 
A band I have a real soft spot for. The double live album is where to start – recorded in Glasgow – the audience is amazing! The band is on full on hard rock boogie mode (unlike the more watered down later stuff). Like AC/DC they never mess with the formula but somehow keep reinventing themselves. I was looking through the JBHiFi sale bins yesterday and the 6.99 bins had tons of SQ CDs in them! All from about the last 20 years (so things I knew little about).
You gotta admire bands that manage to keep on keeping on this long – they must really love the music and that’s gotta be good!
I can’t NOT think of ‘Les Battersby’ whenever I hear their name and music!! Once you’ve been on Coro you ARE a legend
I didn’t see the episodes but I’m aware of them – where Les, for some reason reason sued the band and they appeared at his wedding by way of compensation.
Yep, you’re right – you know you’ve made it when you appear on Coronation Street!!
For those readers who don’t know what Coronation Street is; it is the world’s longest running soap opera. Now over 50 years old. Set in Northern England.
🙂