Francis Rossi - Born 29th May 1949 , London England

Earlier known as Mike Rossi , was the original forming member of the band together with Alan Lancaster in a pre QUO band called The Spectres ..
Francis is from an Italian Irish heritage and his family owned an ice cream business in th 60s.

Francis penned the original hit "Pictures of Matchstick Men" which launched Status Quo to the top of the charts .Francis is known for his excellent songwriting and catchy and interesting lead guitar work which has got better and better over the years.  He tends to write songs together with others and has teamed with Lancaster , Parfitt , Bown and non band members Bob Young and Bernie Frost  over the years .

Francis songwriting style tends to be more to the pop side these days but has written a large number of Rock classics .   He once had a supposed problem with cocaine but these days is in superb form health wise and extremely fit and energetic on stage .
Always the front man with a smile on his face , Francis plays up to the croud and has always has some fun when QUO perform .