Mike Rossi - guitar/vocals (born Francis Rossi 29th May 1949, London)

Alan Lancaster - bass guitar (born 7th February 1949, London)

Jess Jaworski - keyboards

John Coghlan - drums (born 19th September 1946, London)

The Spectres were formed in 1962 by Rossi, Lancaster and Alan Key when they were all members of a comprehensive school orchestra in Kent. Key didn't stay for long and Coghlan joined on drums a year later.

In '64 Roy Lynes replaced Jaworski who decided to continue his education. By this time the band were playing regular gigs in working men's clubs when they met Pat Barlow, a local gas-fitter who offered to become their manager. Barlow secured a Monday night residency at the Cafe des Artistes in London. He also arranged a gig supporting The Hollies which served as an audition for a residency at a holiday camp.

The group played a four month season at Butlins in 1965 where Rossi met, and became close friends with Rick Parfitt, then playing with The Highlights. In '66 they signed with Piccadilly and released two singles, Leiber and Stollers "I (Who Have Nothing)" and Lancasters "Hurdy Gurdy Man", without success.

In 1967 The Spectres would change their name, first to Traffic Jam, then, to avoid confusion with Stevie Winwood's Traffic, to Status Quo. From there, with Parfitt on board, they embarked on a career which would sustain them for over thirty years as one of Britain's most popular rock bands.