Alan Lancaster

[maggiebee]

RIP Alan Lancaster. Alan Lancaster, founding bassist of UK rock greats Status Quo, has died in Sydney, Australia, aged 72.

According to a post shared to Facebook by Australian entertainment reporter and Lancaster’s close friend, Craig Bennett, the musician had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for some time.

Always rated Status Quo.

[beso]

RIP Alan.

Status Quo were great in their day. Like a lot of other bands we thought were heavy at the time, they seem pretty lightweight now.

Not sure this was a good move but it is probably their best known video in Australia.

[Bobbisox1]

Ah me too Maggie
Rip Alan

[Barsel]

R.I.P Alan and thanks for the music.

[andy-hughes]

Lancaster's health problems would have prevented the 2012 reunion becoming permanent, although it was unlikely anyway given the strained relationship between Lancaster and Rossi.

He contributed to sixteen albums and numerous chart singles, and that should not be forgotten after he forged a new and very happy life in Australia with his family.

[Mozz71]

Only found out about Alan's passing a few minutes ago. The current lineup of Quo reminds me of the current lineup of Queen. The band in name, but not the real thing.

The song that was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of Alan leaving the band is, ironically, one of my favourite Quo songs, Margarita Time (although Dexys did a better version)

[andy-hughes]

Mozz - // The current lineup of Quo reminds me of the current lineup of Queen. The band in name, but not the real thing. //

It's tricky isn't it' deciding when a band ceases to be a band and becomes two or three people who used to be in the band, with other people involved.

Quite often drummers and bassists can be replaced, but it's more difficult with guitarists, and almost impossible with singers.

I do agree - Queen should not go out as Queen, it's not Queen at all.

[JimF]

10cc are even less of the band they once were!

[Mozz71]

Jim, it's basically Graham Gouldman and session musicians now isn't it? Even Eric Stewart ditched the band.

[jno]

so that's 2.5cc?

[beso]

I saw 10cc live a few years ago and, whoever they were, they put on a great show.

[andy-hughes]

I think it depends how much of a purist you are.

For some people, a 'tribute' band is fine - as long as they can hear the songs they like, they are not fussed who is playing.

For the casual fan, the replaced member or members doesn't matter at all, again as long as the music is played.

For the purist - and I am absolutely one of them - it matters greatly, and some bands must be avoided accordingly.

I am not interested in Fleetwood Mac if Lindsey Buckingham is not on stage, and the notion of 'Queen' is an abomination - but for millions more, such things don't matter in the slightest.

[naomi24]

I saw The Hollies live a few years ago, minus founding member and lead vocalist Allan Clarke, and I'd defy even a purist to find fault with their performance.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // I saw The Hollies live a few years ago, minus founding member and lead vocalist Allan Clarke, and I'd defy even a purist to find fault with their performance. //

The fact that Alan Clarke was not present would be reason enough for a purist ti fund fault.

Just because someone can sound the same as Alan Clarke does not make him Alan Clarke.

For you, and thousands of other people, that does not matter in the slightest.

For the purist, by definition, it matters a lot.

[naomi24]

It's the purist's loss then. He's never going to see the Hollies with Allan Clarke on vocals. He left the band years ago.

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // It's the purist's loss then. He's never going to see the Hollies with Allan Clarke on vocals. He left the band years ago. //

I would suggest not - the purist is not interested in seeing a copy, he or she would prefer not to see the band live as it was originally, rather than see it in an adulterated form.

[naomi24]

AH, //he or she would prefer not to see the band live as it was originally,//

Pardon?

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // AH, //he or she would prefer not to see the band live as it was originally,//

Pardon? //

Apologies, I am dipping in and out as I am working, so not paying proper attention.

What I meant to say was, the purist would rather see the band as it was in its original incarnation, and accepts that this is not possible, but still prefers to remember that sound, rather than see it replicated on stage now.

[naomi24]

You carry on .....

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // You carry on ..... //

Thanks - I always do!!

[Mozz71]

I think it really depends on who is replaced. Someone like Freddie Mercury is too iconic to be replaced in order to carry on as before. As good as Adam Lambert is vocally, for many, Freddie Mercury WAS Queen, and anyone else is a poor substitute. On the other hand, look at AC/DC when Bon Scott died. Brian Johnson replaced him and the switch was relatively seemless. He was a very similar sounding vocalist, and their next release ended up one of the biggest selling rock albums of all time, Back In Black.

I'd put Allan Clarke in the second bracket, he was a hugely important part of the Hollies and helped define their sound, but a like-for-like replacement wouldn't hurt their shows too much.