Bob Young (musician)

Robert Keith Young ( born May 16, 1945 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England ) is a British musician and writer, who was known in particular for his work with the rock band Status Quo.

Collaboration with Status Quo

Since the mid-1960s, he has worked mainly in the music business. At first he was a stagehand for Amen Corner, The Nice and later for a short time for The Herd. Because of this experience, he was hired away by the management of the group The status quo, after they had their first hit with Pictures of Matchstick Men in 1968.

Then he spent a lot of time on tour with the band, he was also closely involved in the band's music. As early as 1969 the first songs the band were co-authored by him and on the single The Price of Love he was heard for the first time on the harmonica, so it was an unofficial member of the group.

In the following years he wrote a number of songs for the status quo, often together with the lead singer and guitarist Francis Rossi. These pieces include the hits Caroline, Paper Plane and Down Down.

In 1978, the book Alias ​​the Compass, the poems, and lyrics by Bob Young of the time contained in the status quo. In the second half of the 1970s, however, the intensity of his collaboration with Francis Rossi subsided, although he remained until 1980, Tour Manager of the status quo. Over his years with the band he reported in the biography published in 1979 Again and Again ( with John Shearlaw written ), which appeared more than once in an updated edition.

In addition to Rossi, he wrote over the years and together with the other band members Rick Parfitt and Alan Lancaster several pieces.

Young & Moody

With guitarist Micky Moody, whom he met when Moody played with his band Snafu the opening act for Status Quo, 1976, he founded the band Young & Moody, whose publications, however, remained relatively unsuccessful.

Together with Micky Moody, he published the book The Language of Rock ' n' Roll. Moody joined David Coverdale's band Whitesnake in 1978, but published in a loose series recordings with Bob Young.

Although Young in this period more focused on books, there were also occasional music recordings with his participation. Noteworthy in particular his involvement in the music line-up of former Rainbow member Graham Bonnet.

Without official record release his involvement remains in the " Diesel belt " of the ex- drummer of Status Quo, John Coghlan.

Solo and back to status quo

Appeared in 1986 the solo album In Quo Country that contains has been written by Bob Young and he reinterpreted pieces from his time with the status quo in the style of country music.

Since the 1990s, Bob Young has been mainly working as a manager in the music business, among other things, Vanessa Mae and the INXS singer Ciaran Gribbin. He also worked for the BBC and wrote with Ray Minhinnett a book about the Fender Stratocaster.

In 2000 Bob Young has added to the delight of many fans, the cooperation with Francis Rossi again. On the album Heavy Traffic published in 2002 has been written by Young new pieces were the first time heard. Also published in September 2006 official book for the 40th birthday of the status quo comes with from his pen. The limited edition of the book accompanying CD also contains several rare recordings from Young's private archive.

For the band Lemon Jelly, he worked in 2002 on the album Lost Horizons as a guest musician.

Works

• John Shearlaw, Bob Young: Again & Again. Sidgwick & Jackson, October 1984, paperback, ISBN 0-283-99101-1 ( first edition (1979 ) and 2nd edition (1982 ) as The Authorised Biography of John Shearlaw ).
• Bob Young: Quotographs - Celebrating 30 Years of the status quo, IMP International Music Publications Limited, 1985, ISBN 1-85909-291-8
• Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Bob Young "Status Quo ": The Official 40th Anniversary Edition. Cassell Illustrated, October 2006, hardcover, ISBN 978-1-84403-562-5.