Status Quo - Caroline (Live Aid 1985)

Status Quo performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine disaster. Broadcast across the world via one of the largest satellite link-ups of all time, the concerts were seen by around 40% of the global population.
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[@captpicard100]

Opening with Status Quo performing Rockin all over the World was an absolute genius move, then did a great version of Caroline. Set the mood perfectly.

[@gary6514]

No other band could have opened Live Aid. Totally perfect song selection and laid back performance. Just wonderful. Thank you lads....

[@SuzyQ334]

I agree. Status Quo set the bar for Live Aid so high. And the rest of the British side of the show was bloody amazing.

[@davidg3019]

did you see the short film called "backstage at live aid". it has bob geldof trying to figure out who should/could open the show. The "f,ing" Quo was the answer. film is probably not accurate, but is fun to watch.

[@nlkasman3347]

Someone else getting goosebumps through the whole intro of the song?

[@m.hannig493]

aaaalways dude!!!! Ricky on the 13th fret, blastin it out like a maniac!!!!

[@anthony342]

on my arms

[@gracielaperezleal7621]

meeeee here in Argentina❤❤❤❤

[@aaron1143]

Up there with the best UK bands of the last 50 years.

[@gumusluk16]

If you never saw this band live you really missed a great show. The whole place would be rocking from first note to the last.

[@baylessnow]

I always promised myself that I would see them live. Sadly I didn't.

[@thechordwizard8429]

I'm 15 years old, and my dad took me to see them twice. Wouldn't have missed it for anything.

[@5am345]

My parents went to see them the day before he died (i think it was 23rd December 2016) and i said that i wanted to go to one for christmas and then i found out parfitt died :/

[@johnwallace2684]

I saw them at the Livingston Forum in 1992. I was 21, great gig that night and still one of my fav bands

[@blackie75]

The first band I ever played in, we used to do a few Status Quo songs and they always got the crowd up on their feet. Years later we went and seen em live, they were an incredibly powerful band. I had no idea until that day really how fucking great they were.

[@euanelliott3613]

I was 21 watching this on live TV in 1985. The day when rock music stood shoulder to shoulder to help save starving Africans who had probably never heard their music but desperately needed their help. I remember their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Princess Diana arriving at Wembley Stadium and Quo kicking it all off. The show was especially famous for the brilliance that was Freddie Mercury, as well as that funny moment when Phil Collins hit a duff note on the piano and carried on with a smile on his face. Other highlights included Sade sounding amazing and Spandau Ballet playing a brilliant set with Tony Hadley in a full length leather coat in blazing heat. Well done Sir Bob Geldof. RIP Diana, Freddie and Rick.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

Nice.. but those starving Africans never got anything from that. Rather they should have learned how to work and feed themselves. Or was it true they only could prosper with the white man - like in Rhodesia or SA ? Years after, it looks just so.. Crap..

[@SuzyQ334]

Omg I can't believe I am still having to post this. Phil Collins did not hit a bum note on that piano. Both Phil and Freddie Mercury commented that the bloody piano was out of tune.

[@il9237]

And all those saved African people's descendants are now arriving illegally by boat in their millions. We didn't need to have done this concert, we should've just given them three quarters of our country. Which they now inhabit equally with millions of muslime freaks.

[@version736ha2]

And the Queen. Who wasn't there and didn't watch it but was alive

[@steerpike50]

The only band to open live aid . perfect

[@terinaj3701]

Rest In Peace to the bassist Alan Lancaster passing today in Sydney Australia aged 72, - 26.09.2021

[@matthewwhitton5720]

Yes, very sad, indeed. He made some wonderful contributions to very solid rock recordings and performances in Sydney, too,..especially with the Party Boys ( fronted by ‘ Swannie ‘, John Swann, an exemplary vocalist )..

[@Interested_dan]

Very sad

[@joshy5677]

Jesus Christ loves u all and please repent

[@victoriagribben1650]

Rock on in heaven buddy I'll buy you and Rick a beer 🍻 in heaven

[@stevehiatt848]

With Rick P ripping it up somewhere

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

Opening for a world wide concert, then hitting it right outa the ball park! Took some guts to open for the biggest concert ever. I believe Quo just filled the following acts with so much confidence it made the day.

[@Signofevil_Smile4theCam]

The organizer didn't nag on Quo for ages to re-activate for this event for no reason. They were scared stiff of failing if the opener fails. Quo was the only option they saw for a successful kick-off.

[@georgemcdermott9657]

what a way to get 100,000+ in the mood for the rest of the day..hats off to Bob Geldof

[@tonyd6270]

They smashed it out of Wembley Stadium. Great stuff.

[@juru9798]

Thanks Dad that you show me this band !! Rock and Roll all over the time ! QUO for EVER

[@Stetsonbryl]

Dad is a Status and Queen fan, I grew up with these songs. And now I have become a really big fan of the 70:s and 80:s music.

[@davidadams2395]

How old is your dad?

[@Stetsonbryl]

@@davidadams2395 Hes in his mid 50:s

[@andersoncosta5526]

Stetsonbryl 1986, Wembley Stadium. INXS supporting Quo supporting Queen, what a gig!

[@luxor1290]

Poor. Queen is a overrated band

[@andersoncosta5526]

andres bm in your opinion. How many times did you see them live with Mercury fronting them?

[@alastairwest5200]

One of the best live rock bands of all time, together with the likes of Queen & Thin Lizzy...

[@oliverfels7771]

Many people think, that Status Quo aren't that talented 'cause their songs are quite simple ("three chord songs"), but Rick was one of the best Rhythm Guitar Players of the country (Great Britain). Francis Rossi also had his unique skills, especially when they played their guitar soli. I saw them live eleven times 🤘🏻🙌🏼

[@m.hannig493]

naaahhh dude! Rick was the best rhythm player in the WORLD!! Together with Malcolm. ...

[@David-sk9vv]

Their songs are more than three chords; the three chord is myth is simply that... a myth!

[@onlyme219]

Great choice for the opening, just makes me smile. I wasn't a Quo fan, I was after this

[@andrew6306]

Sat on the living room floor as a 16 year old lad, 34 years later still a fan. 👍

[@ghostpost905]

When you say Status Quo, you say guitars. But hear that piano hitting every note out there.

[@MANCHESTER.IS.BLUE.49]

That picture quality is remarkable really... Just under 40 years old. ..

[@The_Real_P13]

I would give anything to be there! Music doesn't exist like this anymore

[@jeffreyfranklin8635]

I was on the field at JFK in Phila. It was the most amazing concert ever! We rocked all day from the pre-show acts to Status Quo to the very final note. The most amazing concert I've ever attended (and I worked in radio in the US - there were many, many). I'm blessed to be a part of the audience! Thank you to my mum who recorded the audio from WYSP-FM in Phila all day so I had a copy to replay over and over!!! Sir Geldof, you are a saint among men. TY Bob Geldof as well.

[@Moonwalkermj612]

Ozzy osbourne live waching?

[@robertwiesler381]

Absolutely fantastic I am so glad I saw them live twice RIP Rick

[@nicklarge007]

The Worlds most polished pub band, absolute class!!!! Saw them live 7 times, always brilliant!

[@FrozenHero2010]

PUB BAND? Get your coat and close the door on your way out. 🙄 Pub bands can barely fill a thimble. Status Quo are still filling venues such as Hammersmith Apollo.

[@russallert]

@@FrozenHero2010 The Quo could rock a pub or a stadium, and be equally at home in either. The best pub bands are local guys with talent who don't feel like pursuing the unstable life of a musician, so they make use of their craft on weekends in pubs, covering songs like this that get the locals up dancing and help the pub sell more beer. So calling the Quo the most polished pub band in the world is a compliment.

[@emilycathcart7387]

I went to high school with Francis Rossi's daughter. She inherited his talent, she has a band of her own called The North and she has a fantastic voice!

[@aziziabdrahman7756]

No way that’s amazing!

[@emilycathcart7387]

@@aziziabdrahman7756 They have some videos on KZbin. You should check them out! The bass player also went to school with us.

[@aziziabdrahman7756]

@@emilycathcart7387 What's the name of the band? From where I'm originally from (Malaysia), Status Quo was huge in the 70s and my mom listened to them as a kid. They performed there in 2005 (Formula 1 Grand Prix After Party in Malaysia).

[@emilycathcart7387]

@@aziziabdrahman7756 The band is called The North. I don't know if the link will work but this is a video I made if them back in 2010 at a local gig where they were playing. I think they have an official KZbin channel as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3WplKqQqNtje7c

[@emilycathcart7387]

Just tested it, the link should be fine 😉

[@avawaity9091]

My mother went into labor with me at this concert and she had to leave early she never forgave me for it and honestly I don’t blame her 😂

[@laurenceoconnor6499]

I don't either. 😉

[@equiinferno]

Rest assured: You were well worth it!

[@anthonydevitt3206]

Haha 🤣

[@pixelwrinkly1528]

Yeah, but come on - pregnant and going to Live Aid. That was just ASKING for it. :-)

[@skylineXpert]

Well i ruined my mothers 30th birthday and had to come early

[@tazkb]

sat next to Rick on a flight home from holland once, great guy

[@acepaul407]

@Donteven Fuckintalktome dont be a dick.

[@JimmyMaddonOfficial]

Brilliant! Absolutely love this Alan Lancaster will be missed RIP - Jimmy x

[@paulturner5128]

The greatest warm up act in the world, Quo set the bar for Live Aid and with very few exceptions kicked off a series of stellar performances that day.

[@portercarr7197]

I guess you can say they set the Status Quo.

[@FrozenHero2010]

A WARM-UP ACT? Wash your mouth out with soap!

[@T-Dawg-lp2sh]

Excuse me, did you just say, "warm up" act? Seriously?

[@Bruce15485]

Could imagine how Status Quo would have been received as the closing act. ?

[@stewartnicol3028]

The Number One Rock and Roll band in the land.....

[@dennism5731]

Geldof knew what he was doing asking these guys to open the show. Best live band I ever saw, and with the exception of LedZep I have seen them all. Quo in the 70's would rock anyone off the stage.

[@gina.1]

Okay ... Now I need the list

[@rschortinghuis5452]

True!

[@dennism5731]

@@gina.1 ac/dc , bad company , deep purple , thin Lizzie , van Halen, black sabbath, whitesnake, skynard, Judas Priest, Saxon, elo, Nazareth, guns n roses, slash, biffy clyro, black stone cherry, bb king, Paul Rogers, Rod Stewart, iron maiden, def leopard, ufo, pearl jam, foo fighters, and Leo sayer (forced to go with a girlfriend for that one ). Probably forgot a few, but if I did it makes no difference, as a live band in the 70’s and early 80’s the mighty Quo had no equal.

[@ulrichdodtmann4898]

Ich bin mit Status groß geworden und liebe ihre Musik bis heute bin noch 66 Jahre jung !!

[@HeinzHertmann]

😮

[@martinsummer6746]

This is Rock , 💙 Status Quo

[@violetbuchanan4252]

My son has a friend who met them many times in yesteryear,and told they are really genuine great guys.

[@reginawacker1436]

I´m proud that my 9year old granddaughter knows these songs ! Just live them!

[@amazing1933]

Regina Wacker love the PFP!

[@radicalrapscallion]

Sweet pfp!

[@eyleenrossi2850]

Good old Rock.This Guys are the best.Status Quo vor ever.I Like it.

[@Monteray9]

I'm 16 and I'm glad I listen to classic rock

[@luxor1290]

Enjoy for now. Soon she'll know about Despacito lol

[@rjvw3078]

I was fortunate to see Status Quo live during the 80s Amazing!!

[@tomlogiudice3777]

I saw them in the late 70s. Status Quo and Rory Gallagher. Incredible show by both bands.

[@jjjddd231]

Actually you were unfortunate. Quo in the 1970s was the real deal. Everything went downhill in the 1980s.

[@walterjamessimpson5829]

I saw quo at Sun city in 1987 .I will treasure that moment for the rest of my life.what a show. if they got more exposure in the USA they would definitely made it there .great band.R.I.P. Rick and Alan.

[@lockedin60]

I neve understood why these guys never made an impact in the United States. I would have gone to their concerts and bought their albums. I just didn't know they existed until right before Rick Parfitt died.One of the best boogie-woogie bands!

[@renemere4362]

I saw them 20 times on stage in France and Germany between 1981 ( the sound volume was DEAFENING!) and 2018.

[@SuzyQ334]

Nice comment James Russell. Status Quo were one of the UK's best loved bands for years who I think didn't really work outside of the UK. I can't think of a better band to open Live Aid but I am English and I loved Quo. I totally understand that Americans wouldn't really get them.

[@welshcaesar]

Americans are stupid that's why

[@m.hannig493]

they were and still are a fantastic, quite hard rockin n rollin live band. Blew me away in the 80s, 90es and 200es and 2019, saw them about 8 times. Always delivering. boogie based rocknroll. Nothing for the US, there was no big story behind it, they were just normal guys, playin head down boogie rock. But in Europe in the 70ies they were a no 1 live band, and from that on, they still love to play. maybe until Francis follows Ricky....

[@rschortinghuis5452]

@@SuzyQ334they where also massive in the rest of Europe

[@wrathchild68]

So glad I got to see the frantic four few years ago when they reformed. What a night that was and one I will never forget.

[@rodrigolanceloti]

This is ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!!

[@vryonrae9084]

Rock N ROLL

[@stevewilliams9306]

Yes my friend ... that's just what it is and i love it .... What happened ? lol.

[@frankdelange6002]

Boogie woogie

[@San64]

Loved Quo opening - Saw them live - knew every song and I've never rocked so much. Perfect opening song too

[@eyleenrossi2850]

Sheer Madness.Good old Rock.Status Quo is the best Band of the World.I Like it.

[@juancarlosdelavega3139]

Que GRAAAAANDES que SIGUEN SIENDO LOS QUO!!!!!!!!!!! Gracias por tanto rocanroll (abrazo desde Argentina)

[@Captain_Rhodes]

one of the greatest riffs of all time but doesnt get mentioned much

[@Signofevil_Smile4theCam]

The only band back in the 70s to turn their backs to the crowd and surviving it. Folks even thriving by it. Get that!

[@marty6779]

Nowadays its choreography, back then it was trying not to stumble over your bandmates guitar cable.

[@AceHermes]

Thank f**k for wireless gear. But it looks much cooler with cables

[@marty6779]

@@AceHermes Well it does. But its a bitch on stage.

[@suckyourmum9121]

@@AceHermes can you get bluetooth basses?

[@john111257]

@@AceHermes it does

[@lancelove9700]

I thought it was prekaroke level stardom that didn't know it was so lame it was...well...lame...I swear the room seems like 10x10 at this point...where's the chicken wings and bar peanuts...this band is terrifyingly original in it's duplicitous musical clone like structure and packaging which consists of anything you could grab from the Peebles mens section in five seconds. "our next song goes out to tower records! Call us mate!" Seriously.

[@xxnonstopdancingxx]

Andy Bown was awesome across this three song set, really got it and played pure melody. Smart dude

[@davidtaylor3346]

Piano far too high in the mix though

[@xxnonstopdancingxx]

@@davidtaylor3346 Agreed. Always at risk of becoming a bit Blackpool Pleasure Beach if the sound desk aren’t paying attention. 👍

[@darrencarr9176]

Andy has delivered for Quo for over 40 years

[@brianmcd9492]

Playing great music Status Quo legends are never forgotten🙂 🤘 👍

[@mrmajorgamer2898]

I was born in 1994 and I feel like I lost out on this 😪 I love the 80s era

[@roseharrison4091]

The best tangled up guitar leads in the business

[@ShayBurkeDublin]

I walked into wembley stadium just as this was kicking off, hairs on the back of the neck stuff

[@henryj8363]

Awesome

[@damientaylor1]

So wish I'd been there. Watched it all but didn't know about the tickets and they all sold in minutes...

[@ShayBurkeDublin]

@@damientaylor1 25 quid for the ticket and I think 20 quid of that went to Live Aid.

[@ShayBurkeDublin]

@Uncle Betty Your choice of name tells me enough about you..A Dickhead!

[@blueg8731]

Must have been great.

[@captpicard6894]

I was there, HUGE Quo fan, Queen fan, literally died and went to heaven that day😍😍😍😍

[@mustlovepretzels]

Happy Birthday today(May 29) to Francis Rossi. Cheers! 🥨

[@mayscough72]

I was 13 when this unbelievable gig happened it's a day I will never forget

[@henryj8363]

Lovely clean sound ! Great live band

[@gabriel222]

Rest In Peace and thank you Alan Lancaster.

[@alanyouens5104]

Fabulous music who’s listening in 2020

[@paularogers3549]

Listening Jan 1 so I guess it’s not 2020 but 2021 great music and the crowd of people awesome

[@Sargebri]

I was up at 5AM here in Los Angeles to see the start of Live Aid and this was my first real exposure to Status Quo. Interestingly I always heard how they big they were in Britain, but other than "Pictures of Matchstick Men" they failed to really catch on here in the States. In fact, they have often been compared to Grand Funk Railroad due to the fact that both bands played basic three chord rock and doubly interesting is that GFR was like Quo only in reverse in the fact that while they were huge here in America they never really caught on in Britain.

[@sambrooks7862]

You are of course right brian and what many people don't realise is that frai is actually a bloody brilliant guitarist, very underrated because for most people he's only known for "3 chord" format. I was at a party in the mid 80s and he was there ( albeit extremely intoxicated ). Eventually someone put an old strat in his hands and man what a shock, unbelievable.

[@avelingbarford]

I'm a Brit, and back in early 70's I had Grand Funk Railroad LIVE double album,and there are bits that I really loved, and still play today. I remember believing Ten Years After were a US band, but then found out they were Brits years later.

[@mozmwhite2513]

My mate is called "Quo" cos of them, never missed a gig for so many years. In most of our eyes they're kinda of a jokey band, but they can rock it too tbf, and it took some balls to go out there first and they really got that crowd going, and all credit to them.

[@Bruce15485]

I could no understand why Status Quo were not a big hit in the USA ! Good high energy rock and roll !

[@musicproduceramsterdam9266]

USA different planet on earth

[@hater38100]

Always loved this song 100 miles an hour of pure rock

[@Bruce15485]

Along with Paper Plane !! "Speed of sound" !!!!

[@Straydogger]

Good old fashioned rock and roll. 3 chords and a cloud of dust! :-)

[@josepgrasrius3819]

Saw them back in the latests 90's in Salou (Cataluña Spain) in a hot july night on a nightclub parking shit. They play in front of an audience of 2000 persons, but they did'nt care for them, it was just playing for an audience of 200.00 souls. Rock and roll workers.!!!!!

[@lisafridlund]

I have NEVER seen a group that are so happy playing... Love them allways

[@PaulTheFruitcake]

It’s called cocaine

[@musicproduceramsterdam9266]

Real honest music that makes happy and tapping you're feet

[@kevingreen3781]

About 50 feet from the front to the right of rick seems I was there yesterday a day all of us will never forget still look for myself every time

[@henryj8363]

Lucky fker

[@waltersimpson2936]

Im a big quo fan one of my buddies in the army brought a cassette of status quo (never too late) with him from a weekend pass and I whas hooked on quo when I heard their songs.

[@welshcaesar]

Best performance at live aid.

[@rolandhersan2420]

As usual this band, Amazing!!.

[@user-pj1yi8nf9x]

They rocked the house

[@hernantorres1433]

36 years from Argentina🇦🇷🇦🇷

[@stewartnicol3028]

13th of June 1985 - the day that the rock bands gave the power back to the people. Love will always triumph.

[@Nemesisrooster]

It was July 13.

[@Nemesisrooster]

July 13

[@stewartnicol3028]

I stand corrected! 😆

[@lacombechristopher]

This is my first time hearing this… I feel like I’m losing my virginity all over again… Incredible… Simply… Incredible.

[@mxsthxted]

status quo > s3x

[@maxrockatansky1898]

Want time machine so bad :(

[@veranotyourbuisness5659]

If you find one take me with you please

[@simonpage6362]

How many seats does it have?

[@George-hs2zm]

Can't believe Rick had a triple heart bypass 4 weeks before liveaid.

[@markwatson9521]

The ultimate Quo song

[@welshcaesar]

Best performance that day.

[@louisehine1]

I remember watching this when I was 3 1/2. It was epic!

[@josieparr7774]

Loving Quo never seen them live but love their music.

[@remcobrandsema204]

that fingerwork i love how they did this

[@SuperLisalis]

During the last 60yrs , whenever down play Quo n if I don*t smile I know I*ve died n someone has forgotten to tell me.

[@bocuse-np1sn]

I saw them a few times in the70s, now i m 64 and saw a lot of bands until now, but i still remember the feeling in their concerts. at most by Roll over lay down.

[@adrianihringer5176]

Not one cell phone in sight, happy days.

[@lifeson90]

Rick was, and always will be, the Alex Lifeson of British rock

[@mcfcguvnors]

poor rick ,cameraman bangs into him during the greatest blues intro ever - then his monitor isnt working so hes using his stack for a monitor- main camera ( cam 1 ) had an issue all day where lines ran over it even todays tech cant clean that up its a fuckin miracle it ever ha[ppened on the plus side ethiopia is having a benefit gig for us now !

[@donnawilliams9769]

Aways loved status quo since I was a kid ❤

[@PilarSanjuan-hk7qy]

Yo vivía en Londres en 1988. Que tiempos aquellos!

[@George-hs2zm]

I remember bouncing up and down like a bloody lunatic when they played Caroline. I was stood next to the mixing desk tent in the middle. Quo looked about an inch high from where i was stood lol.

[@Faithinthedock]

Great stuff.. Great feel-good rock n roll!! And the crowd loved it!!

[@elenamartinez3333]

Para mi los mejores ,STATUS,QUO,,como ellos ningunos ,esta música no tiene fecha de caducidad ,estara viva ,toda la vida ,esta música vivira para siempre ,por lo menos ,en mi corazon ,y en mi mente ,

[@user-ce1qy3tp8f]

мне кажется я знаю, почему сейчас не устраивают таких концертов, не кому на них выступать, нет равных тем кто выступал в 1985 году, и это реально показатель и культурного и творческого потенциала поколений. Увы деградация на лицо.

[@samuelmckenzie7091]

When I was little this song was best of all-time 60s 70s

[@mtmpromotion]

Straight as Quo played this live to open the show at the Valley Gardens in Withernsea in front of 5,000 people about 10 years ago, A lot of people asked at the time why did we go on first when we should have of headlined the show? We said if its good enough for Quo to open at Live aid then its good enough for us to open at Withernsea, Fantastic song to start a show👍👍👍

[@FrozenHero2010]

I saw Rick in his pink shirt and thought I'd get one too. People often asked me about it, so I'd say "In 1985 Rick Parfitt opened Live Aid in a pink shirt. If he can do it, so can I."

[@volkernagel6420]

Qou is rocking all over the world after 50 years.

[@user-bs8je8zu4e]

Proud to be British 🇬🇧

[@kaijuk]

This is my favourite song with my name in it, especially after hearing sweet Caroline by Neil diamond a gazillion times😂

[@GoogleEyes]

Status quo will never be forgotten, They just knew how to grab everyone

[@isaazcc9368]

SOO JULY 13 1985 I MISSED AID BECAUSE I WAS 11 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME 😃😃

[@ablastfromyourpast9112]

Greatest Day In Music History Rock n Roll Rule The World Glad I Was Alive To Be @ JFK Stadium Philadelphia , Pa

[@marcelkaM]

SUPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!💙💙💙

[@martinrose6347]

quo always make me happy when ive been to there concerts brill

[@davidsiegfriedklinger2422]

We miss you, Rick Parfitt

[@xxdtz]

Lo q rockeaban estos muchachos 3 guitarras en llamas!!! Grosos Los escucho en 2021!!!

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

The number one rock an roll band in the land....