Quo still rockin’ all over UK
STATUS Quo were 2008’s hardest-working band, rocking all over Britain at 35 gigs in front of 300,000 fans.
They performed one more gig than last year’s other big live act, Take That.
Francis Rossi, the Quo frontman who will turn 60 in May, said: “Playing to our fans has always been the most important thing for us.
“Nothing beats playing live, it’s still as relevant.”
Kaiser Chiefs, Sugababes and the re-formed Spice Girls completed the top five hardest-working bands last year, according to the Performing Right Society.
Sixties stars Gerry and The Pacemakers played the most smaller venues, followed by Seventies idol David Essex and Cockney duo Chas & Dave.
And in the year that the hit film Mamma Mia! broke box-office records, the hardest-working tribute band was Bjorn Again, who have made a career covering songs by Abba.
Status Quo have released 75 British singles since playing their first gig as The Spectres, at the Samuel Jones Sports Club in south London, in 1962.
The chart is based on set lists collected from music venues across the UK so that acts are paid the right royalties by the PRS.