Alan Lancaster, founding bassist of rock greats Status Quo, has died in Sydney, Australia, aged 72. The musician had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for some time.
Lancaster and Status Quo vocalist/guitarist Francis Rossi met at Sedgehill Comprehensive School in London, where they performed together in its orchestra. Along with two other classmates, they formed a group known as Scorpions.
Undergoing two name changes before settling on Status Quo, Lancaster, Rossi and guitarist Rick Parfitt – who died in 2016 – launched their hit-making career with the release of Pictures of Matchstick Men.
Alan Lancaster performed with the group until 1985, appearing on 15 albums.
The band enjoyed more than 60 Top 40 hits in the UK, had 25 UK Top 10 albums and released over 100 singles, including hit songs such as Down Down and Whatever You Want.
His last album with the band was 1983’s Back To Back. Lancaster’s last performance with Status Quo as a full-time member was their opening slot at Live Aid in 1985.
Reuniting with Rossi, Parfitt and John Coghlan, Lancaster performed with Status Quo for a UK tour in 2013. His last show with them was in Dublin in 2014.
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Alan Lancaster performed with the group until 1985, appearing on 15 albums.
