Francis to be frank about his rock and roll journey
publication of the no-holdsbarred autobiography – a sex’n’drugs’n’roll’n’roll journey through a remarkable career.
The 69-year-old said: “When we were 25-30, we’d have done anything to think we’d last to 30, 40 or 50. This is all I ever wanted and I got it. The drive in me to keep Quo going and do another great show or get an encore or beat the other band is bigger than ever. It doesn’t leave me. I’m obsessed.”
He will pull no punches when he’s in Stirling. And he’ll be frank about his own life and career, as well as those of others.
Francis added: “We tend to think people are lovely because we like them. But, no, that’s not true. Someone may be fantastic at writing songs or whatever they do, but fundamentally they might be an idiot. We’ve all got our human failings and I’m just a regular guy.”
Status Quo will forever be associated with Live Aid, the 1985 famine relief concert that was watched by a global audience of 1.9 billion.
Francis recalled: “I had a feeling at the time, we were all doing something truly wonderful. Being on at Live Aid was incredible, I’d never seen so many cameras. It was gobsmacking to stand there. The feeling off the audience was amazing. I’ve never had it before, I’ve never had it since. That euphoria is why we do it.”
The star was awarded an OBE in 2010 for his services to music and charity.
He pointed out: “I think it’s logical to become part of the establishment. You grow up, you become that older man. But I don’t think it should go to us. It should go to the milkman down the road who saves someone in the street.”
And on the death of his former bandmate Rick Parfitt who died in 2016, Francis said: “When Rick died, I started reading people saying I should stop. It will never be as good without Rick. But those opinions just make me more determined.”
Most of all, Rossi wants his tour to be fun – for him and the audience. He’s looking forward to reconnecting with Scottish fans too, adding: “It has to be a little non-PC and a little risqué.”