According to Classic Rock Magazine, STATUS QUO mainmen Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi both say they regret marrying as young as they did – and neither of them blame their ex-wives for them getting divorced.
Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi
The pair are gearing up for their final Frantic Four shows alongside classic line-up colleagues Alan Lancaster and John Coughlan, and they’ve also just confirmed a UK tour with the contemporary Quo.
Parfitt tells the Express: “I got married too early, when I was twenty-three. The band was just starting to get big and the drugs were creeping in. My wife just couldn’t put up with me – and I don’t blame her. I was coming home at four or five in the morning, out of my tree.”
Rossi recalls: “I went off to follow my dream. I didn’t ask my wife if it was her dream.” He adds: “Alcohol and peer pressure led me to cocaine. I have an addictive nature, and I was doing it all the time for seven or eight years. I didn’t like it in the end.”
But it’s not all regret – both men say they’re still touring for the love of it. “It’s beautiful sitting with my feet up round the pool, but I still get a glint in my eye when I jump on a plane to join up with the band,” says Parfitt. “Why do you think all these bands like the Stones and Deep Purple stay on the road? We’re having fun and I love being up there on stage. Once the lights go down and the crowds roar, something magical happens. All your aches and pains go.”
The Frantic Four tour the UK starting on Friday, with Wilko Johnson guesting at some shows. The current Quo line-up, which will appear at this year’s Download festival, will tour in December with support from Chas & Dave, with ticketso n sale on Friday:
Dec 06: Liverpool Echo Arena
Dec 07: Glasgow The SSE Hydro
Dec 08: Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Dec 10: Leeds First Direct Arena
Dec 11: Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Dec 13: Birmingham The NIA
Dec 15: Plymouth Pavilions
Dec 16: Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
Dec 18: Bournemouth BIC
Dec 19: London, O2 Arena
Dec 20: Brighton Centre
