Status Quo: Hello Quo Review

• 1st Nov 2012

Alan Parker has put together 2 ½ hours of footage, musical interludes and brand new talking head for this mammoth retrospective on one of Britain’s oldest, and still going, rock acts to storm the charts.

The documentary charts the humble beginnings, the coming together, the adventures along the way, the big hits, the big albums, the contributions to charity (not forgetting of course being the opening act for Live Aid) as well as the pitfalls, the fall outs, the break ups, the getting the gang back together and the continuance of their legacy to this very day.

The interviews are all very frank and honest and you get a sense of journey from each of the band members along the way. There is also no shortage of managers, friends and colleagues either (Brian May! Paul Weller! Cliff Richard! Midge Ure! Ginger Wildheart!).

It may be a surprise to some the numbers the band sold, but when out into perspective it actually makes perfect sense as they lived in a time when you still went out and bought records. 2 ½ hours may seem like a bit much, but considering the path that is followed here it’s the perfect amount of time to dedicate focus to the career of Quo. Not just one for fans, but anyone interested in the rise of any band that made their name in the sand of the history os popular music industry.

The bonus disc comes with more new interview footage and even some bonus play time with the original members in present day. Will they get it together again for a gig or two? Who knows. Quo though, are still here and still going strong.

Steven Hurst