Picturesque Matchstickable Messages by Status Quo on Pye Records 1968, value £200 mono, £175 stereo

FORMED in 1962 when they were members of Sedgehill Comprehensive School, Catford, they first called themselves The Scorpions, later The Spectres. In 1965 they signed a five year record deal releasing three singles that all failed to chart. Following the emergence of psychedelic rock music they underwent a complete change of image throwing away their kipper ties and flared trousers mode of dress and opted for tight jeans, T-shirts with denim waistcoats, a style they continued with. This was their debut album released in 1968. It featured two hit singles, Pictures Of Matchstick Men, which also became their only top ten hit in the USA, and Ice In The Sun written by 1950s rock singer Marty Wilde. The album also featured cover versions of the Bee Gees' Spicks and Specks, Tommy Roe's early sixties hit Sheila and The Lemon Pipers Green Tambourine. Despite being a commercial success the band's subsequent three record releases failed to make any impact on the charts. In 1972 they signed to Vertigo and never looked back. The seventies brought out their most progressive and successful work, never being out of the singles charts, with all their albums making it to the top five as well. The song Rockin' All Over The World has become Quo's most enduring anthem. Originally a minor hit by Creedence Clearwater Revival written by John Fogerty, it remains their biggest seller.

The usual friction within rock bands emerged when original member Alan Lancaster left the group and issued a lawsuit hoping to prevent the band from calling themselves Status Quo. The application failed but Quo appeared on stage with a cardboard cut out of Lancaster standing in the background where it remained for the next two years, including appearing in television footage and live concerts.

Often unfairly described as a three chord guitar band, the Quo remain one of the UK's most popular bands. Unashamedly rock 'n' rollers, they have had over 60 hit singles, including 32 albums in the charts; a total of 118 million record sales over a period of 50 years, more than any other group. Following the death of Rick Parfitt, the band is mainly fronted by Francis Rossi and continue to perform to sell out tours. Their longevity looks set to continue. This early album is a timely reminder of their origins and an essential part of their musical legacy.