Sheffield: Status Quo man Rick looking forward to rocking again

And they are at Sheffield Arena on Monday, December 7.

Following the success of their Aquostic tour earlier this year, the band are going back to what they know best – classic rock and roll.

And guitarist Rick Parfitt couldn’t be happier.

“I found the acoustic tour a refreshing change to go out of your comfort zone,” he said.

“I really enjoyed it, but I am pleased to be going back to the rock side.

“I do like it loud and vibrant and I wouldn’t be opposed to doing another such tour, but I wouldn’t want to do it full-time.

The band have had major success since their 1968 hit Pictures of Matchstick Men and throughout the subsequent decades they have had spectacular hits with the likes of Caroline, Roll Over Lay Down, In The Army Now and

Down Down to name but four.

Add to that a host of chart-topping albums such as Hello, Quo and Blue For You, plus more that 100 appearances on Top of the Pops, it is apparent that Status Quo have always been a hard-working band.

As for the forthcoming dates, it’ll be a full-on hit fest.

“There are a couple of things that we’re putting in that we haven’t played for a while, but I don’t want to say what they are as we like to surprise people,” continued Rick.

As for Quo’s longevity and popularity, Rick is in no doubt as to why the band has lasted so many years – it’s their fans.

“They’re very special our fans and pleasing the audience is what it’s all about and we go head over heels to do that,” he said.

“The energy levels may not quite be there all the time, but we all give it everything and on a good night it still rocks.”

“Plus we have honest fans and they’ll always let us know what they think, and with us, it’s ‘what you see is what you get’, we do what it says on the tin.”

Support for their Sheffield gig comes from the Wilko Johnson Band and doors open at 6.30pm.

Tickets are £39.50 – £42.50 (plus booking fee) on 0114 2565656 or www,sheffieldarena.co.uk