Quo Collect Their OBEs

Status Quo’s Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt have collected their well deserved OBEs from Buckingham Palace, and describe it as a better feeling than Live Aid.

The Quo duo attended a ceremony on Friday to collect their awards from the Queen and they say that it was a high point in their careers.

"This is the most exceptional moment of our careers - there's no two ways about it," Rossi told the BBC. "Live Aid was contrastingly very different and important, and there was a great euphoric feeling on the day, but nothing can make you forget this.

"This is the most formal occasion I've come to in my life. It's one thing going out to play for 50,000 people. It's another thing talking one-to-one with the Queen - so nerve-wracking."

Referring to his conversation with the Queen, Parfitt said: "When I went up to the Queen, she said 'aren't you a duo?' and I said 'he's waiting in the wings'.

"She said 'how long have you been doing this?' and I said 'we've been having hit records for 42 years'. She seemed genuinely taken aback."

Congrats to both Rick and Francis – a much deserved and long overdue honour for you both.

(BBC)