Earlier this month, Francis Rossi, the legendary frontman of Status Quo, revealed the upcoming release of his new album, The Accidental. Collaborating with family friend Hiran Ilangantilike and fellow solo performance partner Andy Brook, Rossi aims to recapture the rock sound that has been largely absent from his previous solo endeavors. The album represents a significant shift in Rossi’s creative journey, as he expresses excitement about taking the reins for this project.
Reflecting on his past decisions, Rossi shared a thought-provoking revelation about his career. He conveyed a sense of regret about not having taken full creative control of Status Quo during the band’s 1985 reunion for Live Aid, after they had initially played their farewell show in Milton Keynes the previous year. “This is something I should have done years ago,” he disclosed in an interview with Classic Rock. He emphasized that he had intended to assert his vision following the band’s End Of The Road tour in 1984 when he released In The Army Now.
Rossi candidly admitted, “This is a terrible thing to say, but when I left the band, I should have stayed left.” He pointed out that the management at the time found it beneficial for Status Quo to continue, given the substantial financial success the band generated annually. Looking back, he expressed personal misgivings about having not taken the initiative sooner. “I should have dictated some time back. But I was too wimped-out to do it and I lacked the confidence,” he reflected. Rossi acknowledged that his collaborators at the time, Hiran and Andy, were also younger and less experienced, limiting his ability to assert himself.
The full interview is set to be published in the January 2 issue of Classic Rock, where Rossi will also delve into the contributions of late guitarist Rick Parfitt to the band’s legacy, share his thoughts on the much-discussed “Frantic Four” reunion, and discuss the potential for future live performances from Status Quo.
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The Accidental is slated for release on January 30 and will be available in multiple formats, including black vinyl, crystal-clear vinyl, CD, and digital versions. Pre-orders for the album are currently open, allowing fans to secure their copies ahead of the release.
