Live! is a live album by the English rock band Status Quo, released in 1977 by Vertigo Records. The recordings were made during the band's concerts at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on 27 and 28 March 1976, capturing performances from the promotional tour for their studio album Blue for You (1976).
Release and reception
The album was issued in the United Kingdom in May 1977. It entered the UK Albums Chart, reaching a peak position of number 2 and remaining on the chart for 27 weeks. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified the record Gold for sales exceeding 100,000 copies. Contemporary reviews highlighted the band's energetic stage presence and the album’s faithful reproduction of their well‑known boogie‑rock style.
Track listing
Side 1
- "Mystery Song" – 4:48
- "Rain" – 5:34
- "Roll Over Lay Down" – 9:41
Side 2
4. "Roadhouse Blues" (Morrison, Densmore, Manzarek, Kreiger) – 5:59
5. "Little Lady" – 5:15
6. "Paper Plane" – 4:34
Side 3
7. "Junior’s Wailing" – 6:20
8. "Caroline" – 5:57
9. "Roll Over Lay Down" (reprise) – 1:57
Side 4
10. "Forty Five Hundred Times" – 13:09
Personnel
- Francis Rossi – lead vocals, lead guitar
- Rick Parfitt – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, co‑lead vocals on selected tracks
- Alan Lancaster – bass guitar, backing vocals
- John Coghlan – drums, percussion
Production
The album was produced by the band in collaboration with engineers Chris Thomas and Andy Miller. Live mixing was carried out at AIR Studios, London.
Reissues
Live! has been reissued on CD and digital formats, most notably in 2006 as part of the Status Quo – The Complete Studio Albums box set, which included remastered audio and expanded liner notes.
Legacy
The album is regarded as a definitive document of Status Quo’s live sound during the mid‑1970s, illustrating the band’s reputation for high‑energy performances and extended improvisational sections, particularly on the lengthy rendition of “Roll Over Lay Down.” It remains a reference point for fans and scholars of the group’s extensive touring history.