Edinburgh to host final Scottish gig for Status Quo

THEY have rocked all over the world for more than 50 years '“ but tomorrow night they will take their final bow.

Status Quo are gearing up for their final Scottish concert. Picture: Fin Costello

That’s at least on the Scottish stage, as Status Quo play their last ever gig in this country.

Francis Rossi will be without his long-serving right-hand man Rick Parfitt for the show in Ingliston as he recovers from a heart attack, but that won’t stop the veteran rockers from putting on a show.

The music legends have vowed to hang up their guitars at the end of their current tour – and when the final note is struck at the Royal Highland Centre late tomorrow night, it is sure to be an emotional moment for many die-hard fans.

Jay Fitzpatrick, organiser of the Scottish Status Quo festival “McVention”, is bracing himself to bid a final farewell to his heroes. He has seen the band live 75 times – despite being just 19 years old.

“I’m obviously extremely upset that this will be their last Scottish show,” he said.

“The first time I saw them was in Carlisle in 2002 when I was four years old, so to know it’ll be ending soon is sad.”

McVention was set up in 2004 as a small charity event featuring one Quo tribute band, but has since grown to include acts from as far afield as Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

And Jay wants to keep the event going in tribute to the rockers.

“If we don’t keep it going, there’s always the fear that 
interest could start to die down, especially if the band isn’t around,” he said.

Kieran Wilson, rhythm guitarist in Quo tribute band Backwater, is also determined to keep the group’s legacy alive.

“We won’t be hanging up our own guitars when Quo stop,” he said.

“We’ll keep going as long as possible and try to keep the music alive. We’re the only band in Scotland capable of doing that. If we stopped, there’d be no place for the fans to get their live Quo fix.”

Parfitt suffered a heart attack following a show in Turkey last month, with Irish guitarist Richie Malone stepping in for the Edinburgh date.

Live Promotions Concerts, who are staging the gig, are expecting a packed crowd at Ingliston.

“It’s the last time the gents are going to be playing in Edinburgh so tickets are going fast,” a spokeswoman said.

“With the band hanging up their guitars at the end of the year, we’re sure it’s going to be a really special night.”

Tickets are still available at www.livepromotionsconcerts.co.uk, with doors opening at 7pm. Big Country will be the supporting act.