After 60 years, Status Quo is calling it quits for Rockin' All Over the World.
The legendary rock group will retire from touring with the final show of their current tour at Beverley Park in Taunton, Somerset on August 23rd.
Guitarist and vocalist Francis Rossi, 75, told the Mirror: “I don't think we'll be going again.”
“And for the rest of the band, this is the last tour. I can't imagine doing it again.”
The musicians refused to call this their final tour, because they had done the same thing in 1984 with the “End of an Era” tour, after which they reformed.
He added: “I didn't want to announce this tour as being the last.
“I did it once and they forced me to come again, but that's another shit story.”
Looking back on their initial breakup, he said, “We did break up, and then one of our managers told us that Rick [Parfitt] Rick was strapped for money again, as he always is, so I said, “OK, let's do one more album. In the Army. We could get a ton of money doing another Quo, but I don't think so. I hesitate to say this is the last time, but I honestly don't see it continuing like this.”
Regarding how he found their high-energy show too much, he confessed: “This time around, I was in a lot of physical pain.”
“We were rehearsing before this tour and it occurred to me that this tour started 50 years ago. It makes you realise just how old I am.
“Some people might say it's just a number and you can't actually feel it, but you can certainly feel it and you'd be lying if you said you don't. I've had prostate problems for a while and I also have macular degeneration…all things that are typical of older people.”
In 2021, co-founder Alan Lancaster passed away at the age of 72 after a battle with multiple sclerosis.
Rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Parfitt died of sepsis in 2016 at the age of 68.
In addition to Francis, the current line-up includes Andy Vaughn, John “Rhino” Edwards, Leon Cave and Richie Malone.
While the band is no longer performing live, Francis is planning a 34-date solo tour in 2025.