Status Quo: Mighty Innovators of 70s Rock was published by Routledge in April 2019 and went on to win the ARSC 'Best Historical Research in Recorded Rock and Popular Music' Award 2020
Please click on the book cover to take you to the Routledge site where you can exchange your finest English pounds or other currency for a nice shiny copy of this work. It is also available from other major book retailers such as Amazon and Waterstones.
Below is a short abstract of the book.
Status Quo were one of the most successful, influential and innovative bands of the 1970s. During the first half of the decade they wrote, recorded and performed a stream of inventive and highly complex rock compositions, developed 12 bar forms and techniques in new and fascinating ways, and affected important musical and cultural trends. But it’s a story of contradictions; despite global success, on stage and in the charts, they were detested and maligned by the UK music press who saw them as ‘lame-brained three-chord wonders’ and shunned by the superstar DJs of the era who refused to promote their music. As a result, Status Quo remain one of the most misunderstood and underrated bands in the history of popular music.
Status Quo: Mighty Innovators of 70s Rock attempts to redress that misconception through a detailed study of the band’s music and live performances, related musical and cultural sub-topics and interviews with key band members. The author combines easy style of writing with academic depth and rigour to champion Status Quo as a serious, artistic and creative phenomenon of the 1970s scene and help reassert their rightful position as vital contributors to the evolution of rock.
Please click on the book cover to take you to the Routledge site where you can exchange your finest English pounds or other currency for a nice shiny copy of this work. It is also available from other major book retailers such as Amazon and Waterstones.
Below is a short abstract of the book.
Status Quo were one of the most successful, influential and innovative bands of the 1970s. During the first half of the decade they wrote, recorded and performed a stream of inventive and highly complex rock compositions, developed 12 bar forms and techniques in new and fascinating ways, and affected important musical and cultural trends. But it’s a story of contradictions; despite global success, on stage and in the charts, they were detested and maligned by the UK music press who saw them as ‘lame-brained three-chord wonders’ and shunned by the superstar DJs of the era who refused to promote their music. As a result, Status Quo remain one of the most misunderstood and underrated bands in the history of popular music.
Status Quo: Mighty Innovators of 70s Rock attempts to redress that misconception through a detailed study of the band’s music and live performances, related musical and cultural sub-topics and interviews with key band members. The author combines easy style of writing with academic depth and rigour to champion Status Quo as a serious, artistic and creative phenomenon of the 1970s scene and help reassert their rightful position as vital contributors to the evolution of rock.
