1. Bastille – Blame
2. Wham! – Freedom
3. Status Quo – Burning Bridges
4. Cassetteboy – Brexit Rap
5. Rag n Bone Man – Human
Tag Archives: Status Quo
MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : SHOOT MEXICO 86 SPECIAL
At this moment 30 years ago, Italy and Bulgaria players were walking onto the pitch at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the opening game of Mexico 86.
The game was broadcast live on the BBC. As people sat in front of their TVs awaiting the month of football to come, it’s possible they may have been reading Shoot’s 1986 World Cup Preview guide, costing 75p.
With three UK teams in the finals (something that wouldn’t happen again until Euro 2016), Shoot capitalised on this by having a player from Scotland (Gordon Strachan), England (Bryan Robson) and Northern Ireland (Norman Whiteside) all holding the World Cup trophy.
All three were playing for the same club in 1986, so it was obviously convenient for them to arrange the photoshoot.
As you open the magazine, there is a double page editorial saying “Go get em lads”, wishing the three UK teams good luck.
There is then a double page TV guide, but it only covers the opening match, and the home nations group games. For the record, Northern Ireland and Scotland had two live games on ITV and one on the BBC, while England had two games on the BBC and one on ITV.
Trevor Francis gets four pages to write about who he thinks will be the stars in Mexico, predicting big things from Hugo Sanchez, Rudi Voeller, Preben Elkjaer, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Rinat Dasaev, Zico and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Enzo Scifo, Daniel Passarella, Antonio Cabrini, Zibi Boniek and Michael Laudrup.
Quite a lot of those players were based in Serie A, where Francis was playing his club football.
Mick Channon gets two pages to assess the three home nations, predicting Bryan Robson to lead England to the Quarter-Finals (They would reach that stage, but Robson would be at home injured), Scotland to reach the Second Round (Group stage exit) and Northern Ireland to reach the knockout stages (group stage exit)
Channon also commented that he was recently in Belfast to play in a testimonial game for George Dunlop.
Mal Donaghy gets a lot of praise from Channon, stating he would walk into England and Scotland’s teams, comparing him to Bobby Moore.
For the whole tournament, he expected Argentina to beat Brazil in the final.
Tony Roche gets a double page spread to assess the rest of the European teams, stating that Denmark could take the competition by storm, comparing them to Holland’s team of the 70s.
There is a full page round up of the results and tables from the European groups.
Peter Reid gets interviewed with the headline “ON YER BIKE JOAN COLLINS”. In case you’re wondering why, England will be warming up in America, staying in a hotel in Denver which is used to film scenes for the TV show Dynasty.
Reid comments on the progress in his career between World Cups, having just avoided relegation to the Third Division with Bolton in 1982, he was now challenging for trophies with Everton.
Shoot canvassed journalists from around the world for their opinion, and the consensus was that Brazil would repeat their success in Mexico they had in 1970.
Bobby Moore writes about his experiences at the 1970 World Cup, advising the players that playing Snooker will be a good way to relieve the boredom in the hotel room.
Charlie Nicholas gets four pages to write about his Scotland team-mates, where he reveals he shares a room with Steve Nicol. They are good mates, but Nicholas doesn’t share Nicol’s love of Status Quo.
There is a double page interview with the three UK managers, Bobby Robson (England), Alex Ferguson (Scotland) and Billy Bingham (Northern Ireland)
Ferguson and Robson predict Brazil will win the trophy, while Bingham shies away from predicting a winner.
Bryan Robson writes a two page article where he predicts England will reach the Semi-Finals, and that Gary Lineker will be England’s biggest star in Mexico, comparing him to Jimmy Greaves.
There are two pages then dedicated to the South American challenge, written by Tony Roche.
Shoot has bagged an interview with Diego Maradona, who says England look good, Northern Ireland have a chance of reaching the knock-out stage, while Scotland are in the toughest group. He didn’t predict Morocco to upset anyone.
The main question asked in Northern Ireland’s preview is where the goals will come from. Billy Bingham has a lot of praise for Norman Whiteside, predicting him to be a regular Northern Ireland player for the next decade.
Jimmy Greaves has two pages of letters, where a Notts County fan predicts Algeria to win because of Rachid Harkouk, to which Greaves sarcastically responds.
There is a full page dedicate to free-kick experts, listing the best players with this skill, including Platini, Hoddle, Cooper and Molby.
As well as looking forward, Shoot also looks back at England, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s World Cup history.
There are two pages dedicated to Jock Stein, who was Scotland manager during the qualifying campaign until his death after the game against Wales in September 1985, with tributes from Alex Ferguson and Billy McNeill.
There is a competition where you can win a Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Ray Clemence World Cup video game.
The preview ends with an infographic of all the team’s kits.
MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – JANUARY 1993
1993 begins with U2, voted World’s Best Act, on the cover of Q, fronted by a topless Larry Mullan.
Feel the wrath of Q, in their monthly “Who the hell do …….” column are Status Quo, never the darlings of the music press.
In news, Beverley Craven has announced that her forthcoming tour will be sponsored by Tampax, Tom Jones was appearing as himself in The Simpsons,
Sony have launches the Minidisc at a ceremony, where the musical entertainment was provided by Paul Young, after George Michael pulled out, having issued a writ against Sony to have his record contract cancelled, stating “Sony appears to view artists as little more than software”
The Shamen get a double page feature after having their first Number One in 1992, and denied that Ebeneezer Goode was a pro drugs anthem, instead, labelling it a parody.
Neil Young gets interviwed by Q, and is on the warpath …… against digital music, describing it as “It’s like sensory deprivation”
There’s a Led Zeppelin reunion of sorts, as the three surviving members and Jason Bonham accept a Merit Award at the recent Q Awards, attended by stars such as Wendy James and Jesus Jones.
Seven pages are dedicated to an interview with U2, where Bono declares that his biggest surprise of their Zoo TV Tour came ……… when people turned up to see them.
In the Album Chart, it’s a compilation battle, as Erasure’s Greatest Hits album beats Cher to the top spot.
Gig listings that month included B-52s, Jason Donovan, Beverley Craven (sponsored by Tampax), Del Amitri and Status Quo.
U2 announced stadium gigs in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Cardiff.
To finish, Shakin Stevens, now known as Shaky, is subject to a brief Q and A. He thinks Bob Dylan is a very good songwriter, can’t remember the last time he was drunk, can’t leave home without his golf balls and he would have liked to have met Elvis.
50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : OCT 10 – OCT 16
The first birthday this week, is Midge Ure, of various acts.
It means nothing to me.
Anyway, this song, which kept it off Number 1, is far better.
Meanwhile, Kirsty MacColl would have been 55 this week.
Meanwhile, both the Kemp brothers from Spandau Ballet have birthdays this week, which must be great if you’re a miserly relative or family friend, just get their presents in a 2 for 1 offer.
ITV gave them their own show this week.
Not even joking, I was in Bristol recently, and there’s a Jewellers called Kemp Brothers. Was so tempted to walk in and as for Gold.
It’s five years this week, since Stephen Gateley died.
Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates (He’s Hall) turned 68 this week. Here’s Paul Young covering him.
(WARNING : CLIP INTRODUCED BY JONATHAN KING)
From one rock god with flowing blonde locks to another, it’s Rick Parfitt’s birthday this week, so put on your best Double Denim and get ready to rock (with only three chords)
This week, Shaznay from All Saints nudged closer to 40.
I think this week needs some Chilli Peppers
And finally, an All Saints/Chilli Peppers link
50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : MAY 23 – MAY 29
Another week, another Sugababe birthday. Heidi Range this time.
The lack of Bob Dylan in the TOTP studio caused a mild panic for this week’s birthdays round-up, but luckily, Manfred Mann came to the rescue.
And from Bob Dylan, we go to another end of the musical scale. The band who gave a shot in the arm to the red codpiece industry.
And of course, this brilliant cover.
And no, i’m not posting Mel B’s version. Or Mel G, as she was then known. Or Little Mix (Mainly, because they haven’t done a TOTP performance for their version)
Meanwhile, Paul Weller, turned 56 this week. He’s made a few appearances on the show. I should do a whole blog dedicated to the Style Council.
SPOILER ALERT : You may see a video of Paul Weller pretending to be Bono later in the year.
Meanwhile, it was Stevie Nicks birthday this week. Here she is performing “Room’s On Fire”, which probably explains why the stage is covered in smoke.
Meanwhile, that’s not her only big solo hit. “Edge Of Seventeen” is probably best known for being sampled for “Bootylicilous”, and if you look closely at the start of the promo video of the song, she makes a cameo appearance.
Forever Young (see what I did there?) Marion Gold of Alphaville hits the Big 60 this week. Here he is performing “Big In Japan”.
Can’t say i’m a fan of Lenny Kravitz, but this is a brilliant song.
Best known for her success with The Banshees, Siouxsie Sioux’s side project, The Creatures did this sadly forgotten pop classic.
It’s a busy week, so let’s get cracking. Neil Finn, Split Endz/Crowded House, 1958.
(WARNING : First video contains Jimmy Savile)
However, don’t dream it’s over, there’s still more to come.
Prince Buster turned 76 this week, and he was immortalised in song by Madness for their first single, and appearance on TOTP. Obviously.
John Fogarty of Creedence Clearwater Revival nudged closer to 70 this week. His most famous song, is possibly a cover.
I have no idea why it is being performed on TOTP 11 years after it was a hit, though the credits across the screen suggest it was for a 25th anniversary of TOTP show.
(WARNING : Clip contains Jimmy Savile)
Charlene Robinson turned 46 this week? Who? You know, she worked in a garage and married Scott Robinson.
You got a bit of Quo, now for some mo, as Francis Rossi is now Bus Pass age, which is ironic, as he’s spent half his life on a tour bus (The other half in the TOTP studio)
And finally, Noel Gallagher, closer to 50 than 40. Amazing to think. (47, since you ask)
And the great man himself on Oasis while inteviewed on TOTP
50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : FEB 21 – FEB 27
We begin this week’s round with a JJ and a JD born this week in history. JJ Burnel of The Stranglers, 62 this week.
While this week, JD Bradfield, or James Dean Bradfield to give him his full name, lead singer of Manic Street Preachers turned 46.
He has a brief solo career in the mid 00s. That’s No Way To Tell A Lie is a brilliant song.
And anyway, back to his day job.
James Dean Bradfield shares a birthday with another Welsh singer, Charlotee Church. The singles off her debut solo album were rather good you know.
And in a tenuous link that TOTP would be proud of, she was big in 2005 …….. like James Blunt
And from big in 2005, we go back a few decades to big in 1985 (well, 1983 actually, but don’t let that ruin a link) with Howard Jones.
And staying the 1980s, Quiet Life by Japan is just brilliant.
Meanwhile, George Harrison would have been 71 this week. Unfortunately, there is a lack of Beatles and solo appearances on Youtube, so I compensate by posting a cover when there is a Beatle Birthday.
As he’s my favourite Beatle, he can have Siouxsie and the Banshees doing Dear Prudence. I’m still to decide which Beatle gets Candy Flip.
Ally McLeod would have been 83 this week, but 78 is his, erm, lucky number, as it was 1978 he got immortalised in song by Andy Cameron.
You can tell the audience members who were told to turn up with tartan scarves thought they were going to see The Rollers.
Almost near the end of this week, two more pop stars celebrating a birthday today. First, Steve Harley ……
DISCLAIMER : Introduction features Jimmy Savile.
…… and Rozonda Thomas from TLC
And finally, it’s 38 years ago this week since the death of LS Lowry. A painter, not a singer, he has inspired sone songs, first by Brian and Michael …….
……… and a very young Status Quo, who had yet to discover Double Denim.
THE FRIDAY FIVE – 5.7.2013
1. Professor Green ft Miles Kane – Are You Getting Enough?
2. Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know?
3. Mutya Keisha Siobhan – Flatline
4. Selena Gomez – Come And Get It
5. Gabrielle Aplin – I’m On Fire
It’s a bumper week this week, so let’s get started. Last week, there was a chart for Canada Day, so this week, it’s the Americans who get their own chart (two charts in fact) for Independence Day.
FIVE SONGS BY AMERICAN ACTS
1. Bruce Springsteen – Badlands
2. Weezer – Buddy Holly
3. Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl
4. Terra Naomi – Say It’s Possible
5. Billy Joel – We Didn;t Start The Fire
FIVE SONGS WITH AMERICA OR AMERICAN PLACES IN THE TITLE
1. Razorlight – America
2. Ryan Adams – New York, New York
3. The Proclaimers – Letter From America
4. Bran Van 3000 – Drinking In LA
5. Miley Cyrus – Party In The USA
This week, saw the 30th birthday of Cheryl Cole, so let’s have a wee look back at her career so far, with an essential Cheryl Top Five
FIVE SONGS FEATURING CHERYL COLE
1. Cheryl Cole – Under The Sun
2. Girls Aloud – Biology
3. Cheryl Cole – Parachute
4. Chaeyl Cole – Fight For This Love
5. Girls Aloud – Life Got Cold
And finally, do not adjust your computer, this is something that is actually happening ……. Status Quo, yes, Status Quo, are appearing in their own action movie.
So, in celebration of this, i’ve put on the Double Denim, and penned a Status Quo Top Five.
FIVE SONGS BY STATUS QUO
1. Down Down
2. Pictures Of Matchstick Men
3. Burning Bridges
4. In The Army Now
5. Rockin All Over The World
THE FRIDAY FIVE – 9.11.2012
1. Tegan and Sara – Closer
2. Coldplay – Hurts Like Heaven
3. Pink – Try
4. Rihanna – Diamond
5. Katie and the Carnival – Dinosaurs
As per usual at this time of year, a Top five based on the previous wee’s X-Factor theme. Last week’s theme was ‘Number Ones’, another generic and open ended theme where they make it up as they go along.
I’ve read the 1999, 2001 and 2003 Guinness Book Of British Hit Singles from cover to cover, and some songs sung weren’t UK Number Ones. But, they didn’t specify what country though, to be fair.
So, here’s five UK Number One singles
FIVE UK NUMBER ONE SINGLES
1. Falco – Rock Me Amadeus
2. Nena – 99 Red Balloons
3. Tatu – All the Things She Said
4. Status Quo ft Manchester United FC – Come On You Reds
5. Babylon Zoo – Spaceman
Meanwhile, last Friday, BBC Four had a night dedicated to Paul Weller, once again, proving thay BBC Four is worth the licence fee along. I love that channel (as much as I love Paul Weller)
So, to commemorate, here’s five Paul Weller solo songs
FIVE PAUL WELLER SOLO SONGS
1. Sunflower
2. Changinman
3. Mermaids
4. From The Floorboards Up
5. Instant Karme
THE FRIDAY FIVE – 13.7.2012
1. Katy Perry – Wide Awake
2. Florence and the Machine ft Calvin Harris – Spectrum
3. The Killers – Runaways
4. Josh Osho – Redemption Days
5. Gym Class Heroes ft Ryan Tedder – The Fighter
Last Sunday, ITV launched a three part series titled ‘The Nation’s Favourite Number One’ which will probably have some crap Robbie Williams or Spice Girls song as the winner.
To commemorate this (The UK Singkes chart turns 60 this year) i’m going to do a Top Five for every decade from the 60s on.
I have three editions of the Guinness Book Of British Hit Singles (1999, 2001, 2003) and read them from cover to cover, so I know which songs were and weren’t Number One off by heart.
I had to use Wikipedia for this decade, whatever it’s called. A marked departure from when I would check the charts on Ceefax on a Sunday night (It’s still on page 528, if you’re interested)
FIVE NUMBER ONES FROM THE 60s
1. Small Faces – All Or Nothing
2. Rolling Stones – Get Off My Cloud
3. Tommy Roe – Dizzy
4. The Beatles – Ticket To Ride
5. Bee Gees – I Just Gotta Get A Message To You
FIVE NUMBER ONES OF THE 70s
1. Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights
2. Tina Charles – I Love To Love
3. Blondie – Heart Of Glass
4. Sweet – Blockbuster
5. Status Quo – Down Down
FIVE NUMBER ONES OF THE 80s
1. Wham – Freedom
2. Nena – 99 Red Balloons
3. Blondie – Call Me
4. Joe Dolce – Shaddap You Face
5. The Jam – Going Underground
FIVE NUMBER ONES OF THE 90s
1. U2 – The Fly
2. Queen – Innuendo
3. Chesney Hawkes – the One And Only
4. Blur – Country House
5. Babylon Zoo – Spaceman
FIVE NUMBER ONES OF THE 00s
1. Tatu – All The Things She Said
2. Stereophonics – Dakota
3. Nelly Furtado – Maneater
4. Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love
5. Billie Piper – Day And Night
FIVE NUMBER ONES OF THE 10s
1. Owl City – Fireflies
2. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
3. Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love
4. Gotye ft Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know
5. Diana Vickers – Once
THE FRIDAY FIVE – 28.10.2011
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA …. What A Life
2. Florence and the Machine – Shake It Out
3. Ting Tings – Hang It Up
4. Manic Street Preachers – This Is The Day
5. The Pierces – Kissing You Goodbye
And now, the traditional chart based on the previous week’s theme in X-Factor.
Last week was the always comical “Rock Week”, where the performers dress and sing based on how marketing men view Rock music.
It was quite apt that the first performer should cover Lenny Kravitz, the most fake poser in Rock music.
Anyway, he’s five rock songs for you to enjoy. One of these songs might be a pisstake, but it has Rock in the title, which is good enough for me.
FIVE ROCK SONGS
1. Falco – Rock Me Amadeus
2. Biffy Clyro – The Captain
3. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
4. Queen – Innuendo
5. Status Quo – Down Down
Analogue Boy In A Digital World 