Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From the Status Quo
Status Quo
1968Studio
- Vinyl 5
- CD 5
- Cassette 1
From$34.56
at AmazonArtist profile · 05/07/2026
Status Quo
Status Quo began in London in 1962, evolving into a boogie rock band known for powerful, energetic music and over 115 million records sold globally. Their style blends rock & roll with classic and hard rock elements.
- 20
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 940k
- Last.fm listeners
- 13M
- Last.fm plays
About
Status Quo, More than 50 years of British boogie rock from London.
24 vinyl releases spanning classic and hard rock; original 'On The Level' LPs from 1975 track from €4.35.
Formed by teens Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster in South London, Status Quo initially started under names like The Palladins and The Spectres. After signing with Pye Records in 1966 and producing psychedelic hits such as 'Pictures of Matchstick Men', they shifted to a heavier boogie rock style from 1970. Their enduring lineup included Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Lancaster, and John Coghlan, delivering classics like 'Paper Plane' and 'Caroline'. They achieved four UK number one albums in the 1970s and toured Europe extensively with loyal fans. Through lineup changes and decades of activity, they remain influential in rock.
Vinyl collectors can find over 20 releases available including 180g audiophile pressings, live recordings, and compilations.
Discography
Status Quo discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Piledriver
Status Quo
1972Studio
- Vinyl 3
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Quo
Status Quo
1974Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Blue for You
Status Quo
1976Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Live
Status Quo
1977Live
- Vinyl 5
- CD 5
- Cassette 1
Rockin’ All Over the World
Status Quo
1977Studio
- Vinyl 3
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Tokyo Quo
Status Quo
1977Live
- Vinyl 2
- CD 2
- Cassette
If You Can’t Stand the Heat…
Status Quo
1978Studio
- Vinyl 3
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Just Supposin’
Status Quo
1980Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Never Too Late
Status Quo
1981Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
1+9+8+2
Status Quo
1982Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Live at the N.E.C.
Status Quo
1982Live
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Back to Back
Status Quo
1983Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Live in Concert at the N.E.C., Birmingham
Status Quo
1983Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Ain’t Complaining
Status Quo
1988Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Live Alive Quo
Status Quo
1993Live
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Thirsty Work
Status Quo
1994Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Famous in the Last Century
Status Quo
2000Studio
- Vinyl
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Heavy Traffic
Status Quo
2002Studio
- Vinyl
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Riffs
Status Quo
2002Studio
- Vinyl
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Just Doin' It
Status Quo
2006Live
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
In Search of the Fourth Chord
Status Quo
2007Studio
- Vinyl 4
- CD 2
- Cassette
Pictures Live!: Live at Oxford New Theatre
Status Quo
2008Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live at the BBC
Status Quo
2010Live
- Vinyl
- CD 3
- Cassette
Live in Australia
Status Quo
2010Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live! On Stage
Status Quo
2013Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Frantic Four Reunion 2013: Live at Wembley Arena
Status Quo
2013Live
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette
From$37.51
at eBay
The Frantic Four's Final Fling: Live at the Dublin O2 Arena
Status Quo
2014Live
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette
From$48.81
at eBay
Plugged in Live and Rockin' in Reading
Status Quo
2017Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Official Archive Series Vol. 1 (Live in Amsterdam 2010)
Status Quo
2023Live
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
From$19.98
at Amazon
Official Archive Series Vol. 2 (Live in London 2012)
Status Quo
2023Live
- Vinyl 1
- CD
- Cassette
From$30.00
at Amazon
Official Archive Series Vol. 3 (Live at Westonbirt Arboretum 2008)
Status Quo
2024Live
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
28th October 1976 Live
Status Quo
1976RadioUnofficial radio recording
- Vinyl 2
- CD
- Cassette
From$51.03
at Amazon
Back2sq.1 - The Frantic Four Reunion 2013: Live at Wembley Arena
Status Quo
2013RadioUnofficial radio recording
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01In The Army Now
- 02Whatever You Want
- 03Rockin' All Over the World
- 04Pictures Of Matchstick Men
- 05
Down DownOn The Level · 1975 - 06Caroline
- 07Roll Over Lay Down
- 08What You're Proposing
Essentials
3 Status Quo albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1975A classic 1975 album showcasing Status Quo's definitive boogie rock sound, including the hit 'Down Down'.
10 tracksStereoVertigo labelOriginal 1975 pressing- #2 · 2011
A 2011 studio album reflecting Status Quo's hard rock and classic rock style, available on vinyl with multiple pressings.
26 tracksFourth Chord Records labelSeveral vinyl editionsIncludes live bonus recordings - #3 · 2013
Live album from the 2013 reunion tour, capturing energic performances and fan favorites on vinyl format.
18 tracksLimited edition vinylEar Music labelRecorded at O2 Academy Glasgow
Go further
Artists similar to Status Quo
Artists who share part of Status Quo's musical DNA.
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Status Quo
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
01Hit Single
'Pictures of Matchstick Men' breaks UK top 10
'Pictures of Matchstick Men' reached number 7 in the UK charts shortly after signing with Pye Records in 1966, marking the group's first major hit.
02Chart Success
Four UK number one albums in the 1970s
Status Quo scored four UK number one albums with 'Hello!' (1973), 'On The Level' (1975), 'Blue For You' (1976), and '1+9+8+2' (1982), reflecting their peak commercial success.
Their fans are among the most loyal, traveling across Europe to see them live for over 40 years.— Music history
04Live Releases
Official Archive Series and reunion live albums
Vinyl collectors can find limited editions like 'Official Archive Series Vol. 1 - Live In Amsterdam' from 2023 and 'The Frantic Four Reunion 2013' capturing concerts in Glasgow and other venues.
05Band Evolution
Key lineup changes through the 1980s
Andy Bown joined as keyboardist in 1976 and became official member in 1982; drummer John Coghlan left in 1982 and was replaced by Pete Kircher; Alan Lancaster departed in 1985, succeeded by John 'Rhino' Edwards.
Status Quo vinyl discography
See allNew 29th October 1976 Live ! Édition Limitée Vinyle Violet
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2026-09-04From$57.07
1 offerNew Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo
Status Quo
Pop internationalePop
2025-09-05MUSIC ON VINYLFrom$34.56
1 offerRoadhouse Blues
Status Quo
Rock 'n' Roll / Rockabilly / PsychobillyRock
2024-11-22SIS RECORDSFrom$16.99
1 offerLevelling Up (Broadcast Recording)
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2024-04-26PARACHUTE RECORDING COMPANYOFFICIAL ARCHIVE SERIES VOL. 2
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2023-12-01VERYCORDSFrom$30.00
1 offerOFFICIAL ARCHIVE SERIES VOL.1 - LIVE IN AMSTERDAM
Status Quo
Rock 'n' Roll / Rockabilly / PsychobillyRock
2023-08-11VERYCORDSFrom$54.27
1 offerCOLLECTED/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR/POCHETTE GATEFOLD PVC
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2022-04-01MUSIC ON VINYLFrom$63.99
1 offerMASTERS COLLECTION/THE PYE YEARS/VINYLE BLANC/POCHETTE GATEFOLD
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2021-10-15MUSIC ON VINYLDOG OF TWO HEAD/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2021-02-19MUSIC ON VINYLDOWN DOWN & DIGNIFIED AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2018-08-24VERYCORDSTHE LAST NIGHT OF THE ELECTRICS
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2017-07-14VERYCORDSFrom$34.98
1 offer
Status Quo CDs
See allThe Pye - Piccadilly A's & B's 1966-73
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2026-07-03BGO RECORDSFrom$15.98
1 offerOn The Level 50th Anniversary Édition Deluxe
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2025-10-01EDSEL RECORDSFrom$26.65
1 offerBack2sq.1 - The Frantic Four Reunion 2013: Live at Wembley Arena
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2025-02-28VERYCORDSOfficial Archive Series Vol. 3 : Live At Westonbirt Arboretum
Status Quo
Rock internationalRock
2024-07-12VERYCORDSFrom$18.98
1 offerDown Down And Dirty At Wacken
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2024-06-07VERYCORDSFrom$20.24
2 offersQuoing In - The Best Of The Noughties
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2022-09-16VERYCORDSFrom$14.99
1 offerDown down & dignified at the Royal Albert Hall
Status Quo
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2018-08-24VERYCORDS
Recommended accessories
See allBig Fudge 4-in-1 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit, Brush and Cleaning Fluid | Anti Static Velvet and Stylus Brushes, Storage Pouch, Full Clean in Under a Minute, Gentle on Grooves
$24.99
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$21.99
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$21.99
View on Amazon
FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Status Quo formed and where?
Status Quo was formed in 1962 in the south London suburbs by teens Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster.
What are the major genres Status Quo is known for?
They are mainly known for boogie rock, classic rock, hard rock, and rock & roll styles.
Which Status Quo albums are considered essential on vinyl?
Key vinyl albums include 'On The Level' (1975), 'Quid Pro Quo' (2011), and live releases like 'The Frantic Four Reunion 2013'.
How much do original pressings of 'On The Level' vinyl cost?
Original 1975 Israeli vinyl pressings start around €4.35, with various other pressings priced up to €7.00.
Are there any special vinyl editions for Status Quo albums?
Yes, there are audiophile 180g black vinyl and limited edition releases including remastered and numbered versions available.
What is a recommended live Status Quo vinyl to explore?
'The Frantic Four Reunion 2013' captures a reunion concert and is available on limited edition vinyl formats.
How popular is Status Quo in France and Europe?
Status Quo maintains a loyal fan base in Europe, with tours and releases frequently available in France and neighboring countries.
Where can I find Status Quo vinyl in France?
Status Quo vinyl records, including original and recent pressings, are available through European vinyl retailers and collectors' shops in France.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 05/07/2026