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How it all started
Way back in the 80's, founder member and frontman (Tim Johnson) was fronting another of the
Yorkshire regions renowned rock bands Doggie Ozwald, in those days they were attracting
a lot of interest from some of the top record companies, such as EMI and RCA.
As a showcase for the record companies the lads were asked to do a support slot
for Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, who were doing a guest appearance at what was
fomerly The Peppermint Park in Hull (Later Lexington Avenue). The band paid tribute
to Status Quo that night, by covering some of their numbers, and afterwards, asked Francis and Rick if
they would like to have an impromptu jam session with them.
Unfortunately, due to a court action over performing rights with their own ex bass
player Mr Lancaster; they had to decline the offer. To their credit while chatting with Doggie Ozwald members
later, Francis and Rick, both commented on how much they had sounded like the "Quo" and with
their tongue in cheek humour, remarked how nice it was to hear their
music without having to play it for a change.
Unkown to the members of Doggie Ozwald, that was probably the start of Straight as Quo.
A few years later and even more different line-ups Straight as Quo are now well established
as one of the UK's top Status Quo tribute shows THE SEED HAS BEEN SOWN.
Straight as Quo have performed all over the UK at venues
with capacities ranging from a couple of hundred to thousands.
The biggest to date was Boothferry Park (above) in 2002
The former home of Hull City AFC The total capacity was 15,000 people
Claims to fame
SAQ, have met Status Quo on a couple of occasions, the most memorable being the night
before Rick had his heart attack, Rick didn,t seem too well that night,
but it was assumed he,d had a few too many foaming shandies like everyone else.
The photo below was taken at Teddington School the night before Ricks heart attack thankfully it wasn,t the last.
Tim & Mike have also met Hank Marvin (of the Shadows fame) at a Quo convention a few years ago,
and they will tell you, he is a top man and just as witty as he is on T.V.
(but couldn,t drink as much as Tim & Mike)
and guess what he had his Drummer with him as well called Matt Letley (Its a small world isnt it).
At one point during the nineties SAQ,were approached by John Coghlan's management,
to see if they would be interested in teaming up with the ex STATUS QUO drummer
for an undisclosed number of UK gigs.
Unfortunately due to other commitments they had to turn the offer down.