Quo Bury Hatchet With Former Bassist
Plus a new official bootleg has been released
Status Quo’s Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt have ended a long running feud with the band’s former bassist Alan Lancaster.
Founding member Lancaster famously split with Quo after Live Aid in 1985, and a High Court battle ensued between the bassist and his former band.
However, Classic Rock Magazine reports that Rossi, Parfitt and Lancaster met up after a Quo gig in Australia – where Lancaster has lived for the past 25 years – and differences have finally been put aside.
Rossi revealed: "We had a fuckwit of a manager and at some point I think Alan realised: ‘Hang on, I’ve been had here.’ It was just great seeing him and catching up.”
Lancaster, who left Quo in 1985, said it was a "private and personal meeting” and like "we’d never parted company”.
"It was also the same with Rick, when he came over and chatted with us,” added Lancaster. "But as I say, although our get-together was extremely warm and amiable, it was, and is personal.”
A full reunion is unlikely, however, as Lancaster lives in Australia and is currently busy organising charity events and managing his son’s band.
"As far as the current band is concerned: it’s irrelevant,” says Lancaster. "Status Quo will, as they are, continue to do their thing. The most important thing is that our relationship has been reinstated, and we basically have the same camaraderie and spirit as was in the early days. There is no other ‘hidden meaning’ that should be construed. We are just pleased our personal relationship is back on track.”
Meanwhile, Quo have released an Official Bootleg of their recent show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne.
The double album is a strictly limited edition album and was recorded on 13 March. The Quo website reveals that it has been mixed and remastered and features a version of ‘Paper Planes’ that hasn’t been released on any of the band’s recent live records.