Francis Rossi is a British rock musician from London, best known as a co-founder of Status Quo. In that band he sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar. He is also credited with work under the name Francis Rossi and with Hannah Rickard, and is associated with Various Artists for Children’s Promise.

Background

Francis Dominic Nicholas Michael Rossi is born in 1949 in Forest Hill, London. He is an OBE and is primarily identified with rock music.

Style and work

Rossi writes and performs songs that sit outside a single fixed style, but are often described through highly melodic rock, boogie-influenced rhythms and ballads. His solo writing is noted for sounding distinct from the main Status Quo pattern, while some songs retain a more recognisably Quo-like character.

Selected releases

His solo and collaborative releases include King of the Doghouse, One Step at a Time, We Talk Too Much with Hannah Rickard, and The Way We Were Vol. 1.