Status Quo stage gear and studio equipment to be auctioned after final tour hint

The sale would give fans the chance to buy part of the band’s history, including its ‘backline’, auctioneers said.

Status Quo’s Francis Rossi performing on stage — Frontman Francis Rossi said the kit had ‘lived a life but can still deliver at the top of its range’ (James Manning/PA)

Instruments, amplifiers and stage equipment used by Status Quo on their recent tour, which leader Francis Rossi hinted might be their last, are to go under the hammer.

The sale will give Quo’s fans the chance to buy part of the band’s history, including its “backline” – the amplifiers and audio equipment that gave the group its distinctive sound.

Auctioneers expect the sale, which is being held at Gardiner Houlgate auctioneers in Corsham, Wiltshire, on December 3, could fetch in excess of £45,000.

Auctioneer Luke Hobbs with the Status Quo equipment due to be sold — Auctioneer Luke Hobbs said Status Quo were a British rock institution so it was with ‘mixed feelings’ the firm was auctioning their equipment (Gardiner Houlgate/PA)

Much of the equipment being sold is, according to the band, “almost still warm” from its final outing with Status Quo in August this year in Taunton, Somerset.

The auction includes speakers, keyboards, pianos and amplifiers.

Status Quo’s on-stage backline was fundamental to the band’s look and sound.

A white covering on the amplifiers was created by world-famous amplifier manufacturer Marshall specifically for the band.

Many of the items offered in the sale can be seen in the 2017 live concert film Down, Down And Dirty at the Wacken music festival in Germany.

Also included in the sale are many items from Rossi’s home studio, as used to record both Status Quo albums and his own solo albums.

Rossi said: “This equipment has lived a life but can still deliver at the top of its range.

“All these items have been used directly by the band, have travelled miles with us and got an outing most recently at the August 23 show in Taunton in the UK.

“This is the real deal. This phase of Quo is over and it is time to pass these pieces on to our fans.”

Status Quo thank the crowd after performing at Vivary Park in Taunton — Status Quo said much of the equipment being sold was ‘almost still warm’ from its final outing with the band in August this year in Taunton, Somerset (James Manning/PA)

Auctioneer Luke Hobbs added: “Status Quo are a British rock institution so it’s with mixed feelings that we’re auctioning their equipment.

“However, the sale will give Quo’s fans a chance to buy a piece of British rock history. We’re expecting a lot of interest.”

Founded in 1962 and adopting the name Status Quo in 1967, the band carved out a niche in the British rock scene for blues-based boogie with hits such as Caroline, Paper Plane, Whatever You Want and Rockin’ All Over The World.

With a career stretching more than 60 years, the band produced 60 UK chart hits, 33 albums and were the opening act for 1985’s Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium.