THEY might have been rocking out since the 1960s but British legends Status Quo showed they can still thrill a crowd.
The rock veterans pulled out all the stops in a supreme performance at Hoghton Tower as they entertained the thousands of fans who had gathered to see a band that has achieved more than 60 chart hits in the UK.
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Friday night’s performance was part of Symphony at the Tower, two nights of musical magic staged to celebrate the 30th anniversary of St Catherine’s Hospice and raise money for the charity.
Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Andy Brown, Rhino Edwards and Leon Cave rolled back the years as they performed some of their iconic hits from a career that recently passed 100 singles released.
They were supported by two East Lancashire bands, Blackburn’s New York Tourists and Good Foxy from Clitheroe.
A St Catherine’s Hospice spokesman said: “What a night! Thank you so much to everyone who came along and supported our Symphony at the Tower event with none other than Status Quo. We hope you had a fantastic time.”
New York Tourists posted on their Facebook page after backing up one of the world’s biggest bands.
They said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to... Status Quo for being absolute gents, but most of all the people who stuck around to watch us do our thing.
“You guys made that gig our best by far, it’s something we will never forget.”
On Saturday the music was provided by classical-pop group Blake and singer Lucy Kay, ably assisted by the Heart of England Philharmonic orchestra.
A perfect summer’s evening meant that many people arrived armed with picnic baskets ready to lap up the offerings.
After entertaining support acts, Blake performed with a mixture of well-known songs.
Lucy, who was runner-up in last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, also showed her amazing range with a series of opera classics.
The evening came to a conclusion following rousing versions of World in Union, Jerusalem and of course Land of Hope and Glory.
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