Rock star kept the Status Quo
ALAN Lancaster was the founding member and bassist of Status Quo, who was dumped by his bandmates after their 1985 Live Aid set, before making a triumphant return three decades later.
He met lead singer Francis Rossi, at school in 1962 and appeared on 15 albums as the band scored massive hits with Rockin’ All Over The World, Whatever You Want and Down Down.
Lancaster co-wrote several songs, including Don’t Think It Matters, and together with Rossi, gave Status Quo their name.
So he was shocked to be unceremoniously sacked by phone in Australia, where he had settled some years earlier.
His bandmates were miffed by his decision to emigrate to the other side of the world and had secretly started work on a new album. Lancaster took out an injunction against them using the Status Quo name, although he eventually agreed on an out-ofcourt settlement. In March 2010, he met with Rossi and Rick Parfitt in Sydney and amends were made.
His ill health prevented an anticipated 2011 reunion of the “Frantic Four” line-up – Rossi, Lancaster, Parfitt and John Coghlan – but the band’s concerts were rapturously received two years later.
Alan Charles Lancaster was born in Peckham, south London, and attended Sedgehill Comprehensive School. He and Rossi formed The Scorpions, renamed The Spectres, before Lancaster’s father got them their first gig, aged 13, at the Samuel Jones Sports Club in Dulwich.The band were renamed Status Quo once Coghlan joined and Rossi recruited Parfitt after meeting him at Butlin’s.
Lancaster died after a long battle with multiple sclerosis and is survived by his wife Dayle, his childrenAlan Jr,Toni and David, and five grandchildren.