Francis Rossi
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| Francis Rossi | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 29 May 1949 |
| Origin | Forest Hill, London, England |
| Genre(s) | Rock music |
| Years active | 1962 - present |
| Associated acts | Status Quo |
| Website | www.statusquo.co.uk |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Fender Telecaster | |
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 third generation London Italian on his father's side while his mother's family were Irish emigrants who arrived in Liverpool, in fact, he spent several summers on holiday at his grandmother's house in Crosby. 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. Rossi is known for his trademark green Fender Telecaster, which has been his main guitar since he bought it for £70 in 1968, as well as his ponytail, due to which he now suffers from traction alopecia.
On 15 September 2007, Rossi and fellow band member Rick Parfitt appeared on Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, earning £50,000 for charity.
Rossi currently lives in Surrey, England. He has eight children by two marriages, including that to his current wife, Eileen. When not touring, Francis keeps fit by swimming and exercising. He is a collector of koi carp and likes clay pigeon shooting. He is known by his bandmates for being a fan of pasta.
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