Rockin' All Over the World

And that's exactly what UK stalwarts Status Quo plan to do after kicking off its latest world tour in February. Covering South America, Europe and the US, the tour will also see the band return Down Under in April. Formed in the early 70s, Status Quo became one of the biggest names in the music industry and created a string of classic hits that have earned them a worldwide fan base. As well as Rockin' All Over the World, Status Quo is responsible for classics such as Down Down, Whatever You Want and Roll Over Lay Down. The band continues to write and record and has returned with its first new album of original material in three years titled Heavy Traffic . The album co-incides with a major tour which will bring the band to ClubNova Panthers Newcastle on April 24. It will be the band's first tour of Australia since 2000 following its last performance at Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Original members Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt will be joined by keyboardist Andrew Bown, bassist John `Rhino' Edwards and drummer Matt Letley, who joined in 2000. Although the band has endured a number of line up changes, it seems unlikely that it has any plans to call it quits just yet. After all, this is a band who has released 31 albums and sold more than 112 million albums worldwide. And for those who consider the band to be `over the hill', just know that the band also has a sense of humour. ``On stage sometimes we have a joke and announce numbers by saying that we wrote it just before playing Queen Victoria's christening,' Rossi says. Tickets to Status Quo are on sale now from Ticketek on 2921-2121. Status Quo will be supported by legendary Australian rock band The Radiators.