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Back to Back

by Status Quo

Released: November 25, 1983

Hard rock, boogie rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Back to Back" is the sixteenth studio album by English rock band Status Quo, released in November 1983. This album featured four singles: "Ol' Rag Blues" (No. 9), "A Mess of Blues" (No. 15), "Marguerita Time" (No. 3), and "Going Down Town Tonight" (No. 20, in a re-recorded version). It was the band's last recording before their temporary disbandment in 1985 and marked the departure of original bass guitarist Alan Lancaster and drummer Pete Kircher.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Lancaster co-wrote the first single, "Ol' Rag Blues,"…

Lancaster co-wrote the first single, "Ol' Rag Blues," with Keith Lamb, but he was upset when the production company chose to release a version with Francis Rossi's lead vocals over his own.

Lancaster also disliked "Marguerita Time," considering it too…

Lancaster also disliked "Marguerita Time," considering it too pop-oriented for the band's typical style.

During a performance of "Marguerita Time" on BBC's…

During a performance of "Marguerita Time" on BBC's Top of the Pops, Lancaster's place was temporarily filled by Jim Lea of Slade.

The performance became memorable when Rick Parfitt fell…

The performance became memorable when Rick Parfitt fell into Pete Kircher's drum set toward the end of the song, an act Parfitt later claimed was intentional, although some believed he was drunk at the time.

Alan Lancaster also expressed dissatisfaction with "Going Down…

Alan Lancaster also expressed dissatisfaction with "Going Down Town Tonight," feeling it was not a proper Status Quo recording and lacked the involvement of the band's musicians, aside from Francis Rossi.

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Status Quo - Back to Back

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Reception

The album entered the UK chart at its highest position of No. 9.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Back to Back" is the sixteenth studio album by English rock band Status Quo, released in November 1983. This album featured four singles: "Ol' Rag Blues" (No. 9), "A Mess of Blues" (No. 15), "Marguerita Time" (No. 3), and "Going Down Town Tonight" (No. 20, in a re-recorded version). The album entered the UK chart at its highest position of No. 9.

It was the band's last recording before their temporary disbandment in 1985 and marked the departure of original bass guitarist Alan Lancaster and drummer Pete Kircher. Lancaster co-wrote the first single, "Ol' Rag Blues," with Keith Lamb, but he was upset when the production company chose to release a version with Francis Rossi's lead vocals over his own. Lancaster also disliked "Marguerita Time," considering it too pop-oriented for the band's typical style.

During a performance of "Marguerita Time" on BBC's Top of the Pops, Lancaster's place was temporarily filled by Jim Lea of Slade. The performance became memorable when Rick Parfitt fell into Pete Kircher's drum set toward the end of the song, an act Parfitt later claimed was intentional, although some believed he was drunk at the time. Alan Lancaster also expressed dissatisfaction with "Going Down Town Tonight," feeling it was not a proper Status Quo recording and lacked the involvement of the band's musicians, aside from Francis Rossi.