John Coghlan

Bio:

.. John Coghlan was the original drummer with Status Quo from the very early beginings in 1962 performing as The Scorpions, The Spectres and Traffic Jam.

After a number of failed releases on the Piccadilly label it was eventually in January 1968 that The Status Quo had their first major hit with Pictures Of Matchstickmen released by PYE Records. Following this the band entered a period of artistic uncertainty and mixed commercial success which lasted for four years before the band then received the level of success that many bands could only dream of.



In 1972 a new deal was struck with the Vertigo label. What followed the release of their breakthrough album Piledriver in 1973 was a string of Number One albums and Hit Singles. The band went from strength to strength with World Tours throughout the 1970's and beyond into the 1980's.

In the autumn of 1981 work began on what was to eventually become the 20th Anniversary album 1+9+8+2. However, during the early recording stages john decided to leave Status Quo. By 1983 after a spell of inactivity John was briefly involved in a new band known as Stranger. This was hoped to be a full-time venture but never got beyond the rehearsal stage. Later that same year John teamed up with Phil Lynott, Roy Wood and Chas Hodges to release a single on CBS Records. The band was quite simply called Rockers.

Following on from the Rockers project, John decided to reform his Diesel Band which included regulars Jackie Lynton, Bob Young and Micky Moody. The most notable appearance probably being the now legendary performance on 9th July 1985 at the Marquee Club where the band were joined onstage by both Alan Lancaster and Rick Parfitt. During this period John also played drums for a new band called Partners In Crime. In the band's brief existence three singles and the Organised Crime album were released.

The early nineties saw John performing once more with original Quo bass player/vocalist Alan Lancaster as part of the Lancaster Bombers and also with Diesel.

In 1997 John had decided to revisit his past by forming John Coghlan's Quo. It was an oppurtunity for both old and new Quo fans to see John once more playing live the music that he is mostly associated with.

Around this time John also found the time to form a blues band with Noel Redding and Eric Bell. However, this project ended as Noel Redding sadly passed away in the spring of 2003.

In late 2003 John was invited to contribute drums to four songs on musically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Maartin Allcock's eclectic 'Serving Suggestion' Album released in 2004.

Despite having done virtually everything throughout his professional career, John still retains a strong desire for performing and can be seen playing with either "Blues Jug Band" the King Earl Boogie Band, John Coghlan's Quo (with State Of Quo) which is currently celebrating it's 10th Anniversary and more recently The John Coghlan Band featuring members of British boogie band Predatür.

February 2008 saw John reunited once more with original Quo Bass Guitarist Alan Lancaster to perform at the Bon Scott Memorial Concert in Claremont in Western Australia.

During the summer there were further Quo reunions when John was invited by Status Quo to join them at Tetbury on 22nd June.

The autumn of 2008 saw John in a new show entitled "An Audience with John Coghlan" where there will be a unique insight into John's career followed by a live performance of classic Quo songs that included Lonely Man, All The Reasons, Technicolour Dreams to name a few.

On the 5th November to mark the fortieth anniversary of Status Quo's first hit single, "Pictures Of Matchstick Men", and raise money for The Prince’s Trust, a star-studded auction was hosted at Bonhams, London. Paintings by Alice Cooper, Brain May, Rolf Harris and even Sir Steve Redgrave were auctioned off and a stunning total of £112,210 was raised for The Trust!

John and Gillie attended this special event and had an amazing evening. John had some great chats with Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Matt Letley and Bob Young to name but a few and met up with so many old friends. Later they went to the after auction party and had a truly great night.

In 2009 there will be even more activity with John playing in his regular bands and also a new project entitled John Coghlan's 5 B's Band playing classic hits of Quo, Beatles, Kinks and Led Zeppelin.

For how to book John Coghlan and General Enquiries please contact Gillie: gilliecoghlan@hotmail.com

Member Since:

October 02, 2007

Members:

JOHN COGHLAN BAND: John is joined by the guys from NWOBHM Boogie band Predatür to play a personal selection of songs from Quo's classic 1970's period. A great chance to hear faithful renditions of some of the well-known and also rarely heard Quo songs.

JOHN COGHLAN'S QUO: A very popular combination of John and the top UK Status Quo Tribute band State Of Quo perform the greatest hits and more from Quo's golden era. Guaranteed a great Quo night out that captures that very special atmosphere of a 1970's Quo gig.

KING EARL BOOGIE BAND: John provides the drums for "the most exciting Blues Jug Band in the country" that also includes ex-members of Mungo Jerry, Foghat, Skeleton Crew to name but a few. For a great night of pure blues entertainment, check out the KEBB.

Influences:

Louis Belson, Ginger Baker, Buddy Rich, Bobby Elliott, Brian Bennett & John Bonham.

FAVOURITE BANDS: Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Pretty Things, The Yardbirds, The Kinks & The Shadows.

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Jazz, Traditional Jazz & Rock

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

Unsigned