2016 has taken another of my heroes. Status Quo were the first band I saw live. Aberavon Lido, South Wales, 13th July 1974. I remember all the seats were the usual school hall type. We all piled towards the front, inches away from our heroes. Right by the speakers, blasting out the incredible noise they made. They were told to ask us all to move back to our seats, before they could continue.We dutifully did so, very well behaved youths we were. However as soon as they started up again, we were all crushed up the front again. It was quite late when the concert finished. I was staying at a bed and breakfast in Porthcawl. No transport. I started to walk, pitch black, country lanes, no traffic. At one stage, I passed a farmhouse with a very big, loud dog. I managed to get by, hugging the bushes on the opposite side of the road. I just got over a bridge out of sight of the dog, when a passing motorist, stopped and gave me a lift to my digs.
I was pretty much deaf for days afterwards. Brilliant.
Next time I saw them, I was married. Jean and I went to see them on the Rockin` All Over The World tour, at Birmingham N.E.C., November 1977. I refused to let her go unless she wore denim, which she did. While we were waiting for the show to start, a couple walked past wearing posh clothes. He in a suit, the woman in a posh frock. There was a free music paper and flexidisc on each seat. I still have them. I was a huge fan of all their stuff, but Jean got really into it when they played John Fogerty`s masterpiece, Rockin` All Over The World. We were up in the seats right at the back, so no deafness this time. Also we had our own car, so no barking dogs or country lanes.The final time I saw them live, was at The Party In The Park, Sutton Coldfield. It was either 1992 or 1993. Put on by BBC Radio One. I still have the programme, but there`s no date or list of artists. Jean and I, along with daughter Sarah and her best friend Sarah Mills, borrowed my dad`s camper van and got there early. We had a cuppa, then walked to the stage area. There was a mini stage, where people like Del Amitri and Tony Hadley played. The big stars, on the main stage were Quo and Aswad. Great for me, I loved both. Sarah Mills has never got over the fact that we went back to the van for a break and missed a very early appearance of Take That. Sorry again, Sarah.
So long Rick, you have gone too soon and will be greatly missed.
