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Status Quo: our tales of Germany too wild to tell

Jessica Ware
Jessica Ware - [email protected]
Status Quo: our tales of Germany too wild to tell
Photo: Bodo Brüsehaber, British Embassy Berlin

British rockers Status Quo were so wild during crazy tours of Germany in the past that they now cannot possibly tell the tales, they admitted to The Local on Friday.

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When asked about the most memorable experience in Germany, guitarist Rick Parfitt said with a broad grin, "I couldn't possibly tell you what that was - nor the second, nor the third!"

The worst he and singer Francis Rossi will now admit to is driving too fast and crashing hire cars.

“Back in the old days when we used to drive ourselves on tour, we'd get these Mercedes and go as fast as we like down the autobahn,” said Parfitt in an exclusive interview.

“Of course we'd crash, it was rock and roll every day and incredible fun,”

In Berlin as part of a European tour, the band lent a hand to the British embassy's "Great" campaign promoting Britain in Germany. This was launched in January by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie touring around Berlin in a Union Jack-painted Mini.

“I wouldn't say I'm a royalist though,” said Rossi, OBE, as he posed in front of the same car.

“In fact until I met the Queen I was quite anti-royal,” he admitted, adding that since being knighted he's changed his mind. “She's fabulous,” he gushed.

“We were the first band to play a Prince's Trust gig in 1992,” Parfitt said, referring to Prince Charles' youth charity. “It's nice to think we've had a part in that.”

He and Rossi's enthusiasm positively sparkled when asked about their relationship to Germany.

“There's just something we love about Germany,” Rossi said.

“We speak bits of the language, love the food, and have always had a great time touring here.”

“I've gotta say, I love Bratkartoffeln," he added. “With a bit of gherkin salad maybe, I'm going to go in and have some in a minute.”

Despite extensive touring and recording commitments, the band recently forayed into the world of film, with Bula Quo, an comedy action film set in Fiji which was released in the UK this summer.

“There's talk of more acting,” said Rossi. “But it depends if the film makes any money. Capitalism, you know.

“If we do do more I'd like to have more of a hand in the writing though, we were just lead by the nose for that one,” he added.

Status Quo “reflect the longevity of British music,” said Lizzie Cairns, an embassy employee who's been working on the campaign. “And they have a huge German fan base,” she added, nodding towards the crowd that had gathered, watching the band posing with guitars next to the Mini.

“They're my favourite band,” said one fan going by the name Alfie Hardcore. “I've got a signature from one of the band members and I'm here to get the rest,” he said.

GREAT Britain Mini tour of Germany

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