The Mighty Innovators of 70s Rock: 

The Music of Status Quo

written by Dr. Andrew L. Cope

is published by Routledge and available now from various sellers in the UK and Europe and in various formats (Hardback, Paperback & eBook). This work will initially be released first in hardback form priced £92 (normal for a small run academic book) and a paperback version in November 2020 priced £25.90.  Also the book won an award: "Winner of the ARSC 'Best Historical Research in Recorded Music' award.

Status Quo were one of the most successful, influential and innovative bands of the 1970s. During the first half of the decade they wrote, recorded and performed a stream of inventive and highly complex rock compositions, developed 12 bar forms and techniques in new and fascinating ways, and affected important musical and cultural trends. But it’s a story of contradictions; despite global success, on stage and in the charts, they were detested and maligned by the UK music press who saw them as ‘lame-brained three-chord wonders’ and shunned by the superstar DJs of the era who refused to promote their music. As a result, Status Quo remain one of the most misunderstood and underrated bands in the history of popular music.  

Status Quo: Mighty Innovators of 70s Rock attempts to redress that misconception through a detailed study of the band’s music and live performances, related musical and cultural sub-topics and interviews with key band members. The author combines easy style of writing with academic depth and rigour to champion Status Quo as a serious, artistic and creative phenomenon of the 1970s scene and help reassert their rightful position as vital contributors to the evolution of rock.

The interviews I conducted with key members of the band Alan Lancaster (bass, vocals and composer) and John Coghlan (drums) were thrilling. They both helpfully and gladly provided fascinating detail to add a wonderful sense of authenticity to the book. A huge thank you to you both!

About me, Dr. Andrew L Cope

I am a musicologist with a special interest in popular music, especially rock and metal. I have a very detailed knowledge of music theory, the history of classical music and the history of popular music. I am also a highly accomplished performer on both the electric guitar andclassical guitar. Combining those elements with a working knowledge of rock, pop and metal enables me to understand and contextualise rock, pop and metal forms in a special way. My musicology, therefore, is all about deconstructing the elements of rock and metal to further understand and appreciate the value of those musical entities. My experience as a highly successful teacher and music educator has enabled me to share my research findings in a clear, enlightening and interesting way.

My PhD was undertaken at the University of Salford, UK under the guidance of Professor Sheila Whiteley. My research project was to (a) discover the musical elements that identify heavy metal, (b) position Black Sabbath as the originators of heavy metal, (c) understand the ways in which Birmingham UK influenced the emergence of heavy metal, (d) identify the salient features of rock through the music of Led Zeppelin (e) show that Black Sabbath/Heavy metal and Led Zeppelin/hard rock were dichotomous forms of popular music, (f) understand the role of women in rock and metal and (g) examine the influence of Black Sabbath on subsequent  developments of heavy metal as it found form as genre in its own right. My thesis, 'And From the Dawn of the Sabbath Metal Was Born' became the basis of my book 'Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music.

I am currently researching the music and innovations of Status Quo 1970-76 for my next publication. In particular, I am tackling the common misconceptions of the band as a simple, three chord boogie band by demonstrating the huge variety of techniques, styling and innovation found in their early rock compositions.