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XS All Areas: The Status Quo Autobiography
The story of Status Quo is essentially the story of two people: Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt. It is the story of two outwardly very different characters—Rossi, the moody insecure one, and Parfitt, the smiling, permanently at ease golden boy—who forged an unlikely yet enduring bond that would see them through the dizzying highs and terrifying lows of a forty-year career. Now they are prepared to tell it all—the groupies, the drug-taking, the marriage breakdowns, and Parfitt's brush with death when he was forced to undergo bypass surgery.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 29, 2010
Quoooooh -o-o-o-o-oh! The two Narf London boys done good recount their experiences on the way to the top, and then how they have tried to stay there. Rossi comes across as quite a cold character, doing what needs to be done to keep the band going forward. For a musician, he speaks little about his craft, and it was difficult to tell how much he enjoys the whole thing. Parfitt, on the other hand, lives life on full throttle and has a rollercoaster ride with drugs, drink and women, not to mention the tragedy of losing his daughter in an accident. Life's here, so you might as well live it and sleep when you die. And if that happens to be tomorrow, so be it. I had to admire his attitude, despite it being one that I could never adopt. All in all, this was an entertaining read about a British institution that just keeps rolling along.
April 22, 2025
I have always been a big fan of Status Quo, right from my college days in the 80's, until today when I sometimes blast out one of their compilation albums in the car. (Only managed to see them once in concert unfortunately). For my mates and I there was always a lot of speculation on what was going on with the band during the lineup changes and the various cover songs they released in later years. At that time, pre internet, we could only got our music news from the weekly newspapers Melody Maker and New Musical Express (Rolling Stone was considered to be all glitz and hype with nothing much worth reading). This books fills in all those blanks that I have wondered about over the years. Lot's of interesting stuff in the usual rock-n-roll vein but also some deep personal tragedy in there too. Unfortunately this book was written in 2004 so the later part of their story including Ricks untimely passing are missing. For that I will have to read Francis Rossi's Autobiography published in 2019.
If your a fan then this is a great book and a 4 or 5 star read. If your not, then probably not that interesting. Incidentally, rather than a straight collaboration, the book is written with alternating chapters by Francis and Rick so we get to see the same events from both their points of view.
If your a fan then this is a great book and a 4 or 5 star read. If your not, then probably not that interesting. Incidentally, rather than a straight collaboration, the book is written with alternating chapters by Francis and Rick so we get to see the same events from both their points of view.
March 20, 2024
A nice biography by the members of the Status Quo band. A book worth reading even if you havent' heard of the band as it shows exactly what goes on behind the spotlight of all the fame and fortune of celebrities.
August 7, 2011
A thoroughly good read.
June 8, 2012
Most enjoyable read
September 15, 2022
I love reading autobiographies, and this one didn’t disappoint. It is absolutely mesmerizing to follow the path to stardom of someone who made it. The thing I find the most curious is that there are no rules one can apply to become rich, famous, and loved by millions. Every star’s story I’ve read could have easily been a story of failure, although, of course, in that case, we wouldn’t have a chance to read it.
The Status Quo autobiography is on my personal top list of autobiographies along with Agatha Christie’s and Will Smith’s. I have no doubt that Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt didn’t share everything on these pages, but having read quite a decent number of such books I wish to believe that I can feel if the story is sincere or it was yet another promotional trick to attract attention to a fading star’s persona.
The book was released in 2004, and the updated version with an added chapter was published in 2005; eleven years before Rick Parfitt died. Both he and Francis Rossi shared their plans for the future in that added chapter. Knowing that Rick Parfitt had only a decade to fulfil them is sad; as is the fact that this year Status Quo celebrates its sixtieth anniversary.
Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi tell the story of how two boys from the part of London we don’t usually see on screen when the movie setting is the capital of Great Britain transformed their love of music into one of the most successful bands in the world.
Their way to the top wasn’t smooth and easy. Everything changed: the band’s names, its members and managers, even its musical style. Success came and went. There were times when it seemed Status Quo would be no more.
Both Parfitt and Rossi speak openly about their drug addiction, and the proportions of that addiction are truly inconceivable. I apologise for probably misplaced British humour, but the thing that came into my mind reading about how much cocaine they used was “it’s incredible they made it even to fifty.” But speaking seriously, the fact they virtually didn’t emerge from drug- and alcohol-induced stupor for ten years and managed to outlive it, is a direct promotion for using addictive substances rather than a warning against them.
The book is definitely worth reading, even though I’ve never been the band’s fan.
The Status Quo autobiography is on my personal top list of autobiographies along with Agatha Christie’s and Will Smith’s. I have no doubt that Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt didn’t share everything on these pages, but having read quite a decent number of such books I wish to believe that I can feel if the story is sincere or it was yet another promotional trick to attract attention to a fading star’s persona.
The book was released in 2004, and the updated version with an added chapter was published in 2005; eleven years before Rick Parfitt died. Both he and Francis Rossi shared their plans for the future in that added chapter. Knowing that Rick Parfitt had only a decade to fulfil them is sad; as is the fact that this year Status Quo celebrates its sixtieth anniversary.
Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi tell the story of how two boys from the part of London we don’t usually see on screen when the movie setting is the capital of Great Britain transformed their love of music into one of the most successful bands in the world.
Their way to the top wasn’t smooth and easy. Everything changed: the band’s names, its members and managers, even its musical style. Success came and went. There were times when it seemed Status Quo would be no more.
Both Parfitt and Rossi speak openly about their drug addiction, and the proportions of that addiction are truly inconceivable. I apologise for probably misplaced British humour, but the thing that came into my mind reading about how much cocaine they used was “it’s incredible they made it even to fifty.” But speaking seriously, the fact they virtually didn’t emerge from drug- and alcohol-induced stupor for ten years and managed to outlive it, is a direct promotion for using addictive substances rather than a warning against them.
The book is definitely worth reading, even though I’ve never been the band’s fan.
January 28, 2014
This book is from 2004, with an update from 2005.
I bought this paperback a while ago, but left it on the shelf.
When cover band Hello Quo! asked me to join them as their new bassist, I remembered I had it and started to read immediately.
I heard the Quo way back in the seventies and that was when I first heard Rock & Roll and Rock in generally. I got interested in other bands and different kinds of music when I got older, but Quo will always have a special place in my heart.
It's a real autobiography, so starting with their early youth till ten years ago, when they were in their late fifties.
It's nice written, also for a non native English reader (as you can see)
and I think they're very honest about themselves in their stories, which is not always flattering.
A con is that sometimes the same story is first told by Francis and then later by Rick in his own words.
A nice book especially for casual fans like me, with many facts I didn't knew 'till now.
I bought this paperback a while ago, but left it on the shelf.
When cover band Hello Quo! asked me to join them as their new bassist, I remembered I had it and started to read immediately.
I heard the Quo way back in the seventies and that was when I first heard Rock & Roll and Rock in generally. I got interested in other bands and different kinds of music when I got older, but Quo will always have a special place in my heart.
It's a real autobiography, so starting with their early youth till ten years ago, when they were in their late fifties.
It's nice written, also for a non native English reader (as you can see)
and I think they're very honest about themselves in their stories, which is not always flattering.
A con is that sometimes the same story is first told by Francis and then later by Rick in his own words.
A nice book especially for casual fans like me, with many facts I didn't knew 'till now.
May 28, 2021
The Status Quo autobiography, written by both Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, the lead singer and backup singer-cum-guitarist, respectively, was a witty, wild and wacky whistle stop tour through the forty year career of a band which has now become a household brand - Status Quo.
This book took me a little longer to read. Its chapters are long, and as a general rule I only read one or two chapters a day - usually when I'm in the bath because I then don't become distracted by my phone or anything else.
I adored this book, though. I loved how it recounted and told the story of the band's music just as much as their personal lives, if not more. Quite often, autobiographies focus on the writer's personal life - but this was the Status Quo autobiography, and not Parfitt's or Rossi's. It was refreshing to read about the music side of it all.
This book took me a little longer to read. Its chapters are long, and as a general rule I only read one or two chapters a day - usually when I'm in the bath because I then don't become distracted by my phone or anything else.
I adored this book, though. I loved how it recounted and told the story of the band's music just as much as their personal lives, if not more. Quite often, autobiographies focus on the writer's personal life - but this was the Status Quo autobiography, and not Parfitt's or Rossi's. It was refreshing to read about the music side of it all.
April 21, 2015
A must read for a Status Quo fan. Endearing tell all rock and roll memoir. How Rick and Francis survived addiction. Mick Wall writes with a style that is gently gripping and extremely enjoyable. Reading XS All Areas is like having a friend who is telling you stories of what it was like back in the day. I was surprised at some bits they left in. Following their personal lives is such a fascinating peep hole. I also have the dvd 'Just Doin' It! Live'. Watching the dvd and reading their book is the complete Status Quo experience. They really do have their own sound, like all the great old masters of music, the soft rock sound they invented has a really happy vibe. Like the book. The book actually cheered me up. A book I will read time and time again.
November 6, 2020
Read this 15 years after it was published and 4 years after Rick Parfitt died. Not a bad read really. They were both very candid and remorseful about the drug taking etc but I came way from the book thinking that they were very lucky to be so popular (and rich!) for so long. So many cover versions, greatest hits albums and tours riding on the back of a few mid 70s hit singles. Still had a giggle though at Parfitt getting a big royalty check once, immediately buying a Rolls Royce with it and then using his latest bird to chauffer him around because he was banned from driving!
July 9, 2012
Got this in a boxset for £5: Although I'm not a huge Status Quo fan this book was still an interesting read especially as it was written by the two founding members. If, like me, you're a casual fan this will provide a better knowledge of the band and an enjoyable read. The more die-hard fans will enjoy this from the first page :)
December 5, 2016
Although not a die hard Quo fan, the book gives many interesting insights into the pressures of the rock and roll world. Learned a lot more than I ever knew about them. Worth the read for anyone dreaming of becoming a "star" in any of the performing arts.
September 19, 2020
Too many typo errors
A great insight of the goings on of the band, a good read , but too many typo errors , I gave up reporting them as there were so many , pity because its a great book
A great insight of the goings on of the band, a good read , but too many typo errors , I gave up reporting them as there were so many , pity because its a great book
March 10, 2023
A 'warts and all' autobiog from the boys. They certainly don't pull their punches regarding their antics over the years. I really like that they have 'owned' it all unlike many others who've pasted over and justified their past behaviour. Very readable.
August 28, 2019
Warts and all!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews