Pictures of Status Quo: 40 Years of Hits

This rock doc presents the 40-year history of British rockers Status Quo. Singer/guitarists Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi begin by recalling the artists, such as Cliff Richard, who inspired them, as well as their work in early bands like the Spectres. Their comments alternate with photographs, memorabilia, backstage footage, and live performances. Launched in 1962, the Spectres made little impact until they revamped the line-up, changed their name to Status Quo, and released 1968's "Pictures of Matchstick Men." The band credits tour manager/songwriter Bob Young for helping them move from the underground to the mainstream (he parted ways with the group in 1980). By the 1970s, Status Quo had ditched the frilly shirts, shifted to a harder sound, and graduated to bigger venues (highlights here include the top-five singles "Caroline" and "Rockin' All over the World,” a John Fogerty cover). Success continued into the next decade, but personality conflicts came into play and the band took a break for a couple of years, re-emerging with a new formation in 1986. The hits and misses continued, along with a couple of covers albums. Other speakers include drummers John Coghlan and Matt Letley, keyboard player Andrew Bown, bassist John Edwards, and manager Simon Porter. Although the DVD cover promises a "no-holds barred" experience, Pictures of Status Quo is a pretty workmanlike documentary; not bad, but not exactly scintillating either. With a dearth of biographical information about the individual members, the basic rise-fall-rise trajectory could describe almost any rock and roll survivors. Optional. (K. Fennessy)