Francis Rossi

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Francis Rossi
Born	29 May 1949 Forest Hill, London, England
Genre(s)	Rock n roll
Affiliation(s)	Status Quo
Years active	1962 - present
Official site	www.statusquo.co.uk

Francis Rossi (born Francis Dominic Michael Nicholas Rossi) was born 29 May 1949 in Forest Hill, London and is co-founder of the English rock band Status Quo, where he sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar. He is also known as 'Mike Rossi', 'Frame' and more recently, 'The GOMORR' (Grand Old Man of Rock 'n' Roll). He wrote the first Status Quo hit single, "Pictures of Matchstick Men", as well as many other hit songs like "Paper Plane", "Caroline", and "Down Down", often with the group's roadie and harmonica player Bob Young, and another writing partner Bernie Frost. He attended Sedgehill Secondary School.

A highly rated guitarist (within the music hierarchy) he has been with Status Quo for his entire musical career, although he has worked on albums by other artists, including Demis Roussos and Graham Bonnet, and released occasional solo work, including the album King of the Doghouse (1996), which was not a commercial success though it produced a Top 50 hit "Give Myself to Love". He also recorded two singles with Frost in 1985, "Modern Romance" being a minor hit.

Rossi on stage is an outgoing and charismatic showman but has been labelled a recluse because he rarely goes to parties or big social occasions, preferring to stay at home. Musically he still loves playing, performing and writing as much as ever and is always involved in the production of Quo records. As a result of his trademark ponytail, Rossi now suffers from traction alopecia.

Having toured almost every year, Status Quo remain as one of Britain's most active live bands.

When not touring, Francis keeps fit by swimming and exercising. He is a collector of Koi Carp and likes Clay pigeon shooting.

Status Quo
Francis Rossi | Rick Parfitt | Andy Bown | John 'Rhino' Edwards | Matt Letley
Former Members: John Coghlan | Alan Lancaster | Pete Kircher | Jeff Rich | Roy Lynes
Discography
Albums: Picturesque Matchstickable Messages | Spare Parts | Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon | Dog of Two Head | Piledriver | Hello! | Quo | On the Level | Blue for You | Live | Rockin' All Over the World | If You Can't Stand the Heat | Whatever You Want | Just Supposin' | Never Too Late | 1+9+8+2 | Back to Back | In the Army Now | Ain't Complaining | Perfect Remedy | Rock 'Til You Drop | Thirsty Work | Don't Stop | Under the Influence | Famous in the Last Century | Heavy Traffic | Riffs | The Party Ain't Over Yet | More...