The tragic news was confirmed by Lancaster’s friend Craig Bennett, Bennett spoke on behalf of Lancaster’s family in a statement released. The statement announced Lancaster’s death whilst celebrating his musical influence and the artist’s resilience. “I am heartbroken to announce the passing of Alan Lancaster, British born music royalty, guitar God and founding member of the iconic band, Status Quo. Despite having MS and issues with his mobility, Alan participated in hugely successful reunion tours… He bravely played to thousands of adoring fans and loved being back with the band and his loyal Quo army.”

Bennett also shared a second statement within Social Media, the statement further describes Lancaster’s musical legacy whilst recounting his personal life.

Born on 7th February 1949 Lancaster is best known for founding English classic rock group Status Quo, the group was formed in 1962 and underwent some name and line-up alterations until becoming Status Quo in 1969. The original group, named The Scorpions, were founded by Lancaster and lead singer Francis Rossi whilst the two were in school where the duo met in the School’s orchestra.

Lancaster left the group in 1985 but his departure was not permanent as he reunited with the group in 2013 and 2014, even though his illness caused him difficulties. Lancaster played on 15 of the band’s albums and was a songwriter in the group, performing as the lead vocalist on various albums and live shows. Lancaster can be heard taking the lead on tracks such as “Bye Bye Johnny”, “High Flyer”, “Backwater” and the Doors cover “Roadhouse Blues”. Lancaster’s last studio album with the group was the 1983 release Back to Back.

After his departure from Status Quo, Lancaster joined the Australian band The Party Boys in 1987. In the same year Lancaster co-produced the band’s first studio self-titled album, the single “He’s Gonna Step on You Again” achieved success within the Australian charts. Lancaster later formed the group The Bombers in 1988, the group were signed to record label A&M Records but were later sold to another label. The group originally included the initial drummer from Status Quo, John Coghlan, Coghlan left Status Quo after 14 albums until a reunion show in 2012. The Bombers would go on to support big acts such as Alice Cooper, Skid Row and Cheap Trick on their Australian tours. After the group disbanded Lancaster formed his own project, Alan Lancaster’s Bombers, the group released a record and toured before disbanding. Lancaster’s other solo work includes the theme song for the 1985 film Indecent Obsession and producing responsibilities for classical musician Roger Woodward.

Status Quo hold over 60 UK chart hits, with 22 of the releases positioning within the top 10 in the UK singles charts. The group have released over 100 singles and 33 albums, 25 of their albums have charted within the top 10 in the UK. The measure of the band’s success also extends to their legendary live performances, Status Quo opened now legendary live concert Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in July 1985 with one of their best-known hits, “Rockin’ All Over the World”, the performance marked Lancaster’s final live show as a permanent band member. The group would go on to win a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1991 for their success and influence within the music industry.

Dayle Lancaster, Lancaster’s wife of 43 years, also spoke on the tragic news. She expressed how his family were “Heartbroken”. Dayle spoke through Bennett, “Alan had a wonderful wit and a fabulously dry sense of humour. He was a devoted and adoring husband, father and grandfather, Family was always his focus.” Lancaster has been survived by his wife, children and grandchildren as well as his musical influence.

Catherine Martin, Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, proposed the idea during a recent EU meeting between arts ministers from across the continent. The Irish Mirror reported that Catherine Martin received a “warm reception” from her counterparts. They all agreed with her proposal to organise these massive celebrations.

Today my Department is highlighting the breadth of music, arts, exercise and culture activities available for us online while we stay at home. These include:

live performances @hotpress
podcasts @Centenaries
exhibitions @NMIreland…

+ lots more #KeepWell https://t.co/81Jeic5WKp

— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) January 15, 2021

While it isn’t clear just yet when these gigs could take place but it is thought that they might be able to take place in the summer months in outdoor venues given the pandemic doesn’t get worse. These Live Aid-style concerts might reportedly raise money for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not known whether the UK would be involved in the event, given their recent departure from the EU.

The original Live Aid gigs were held in July 1985 in London and Philadelphia to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia and across Africa. The event was organised by Dublin born artist, Bob Geldof and featured iconic performances from Elton John, Queen, Madonna and U2, to name a few. You can relive the sensational performance from Queen down below.

Live Aid was a massive fundraising initiative that took place around the world to help send aid during a famine in Ethiopia. Queen took part in the London Wembley Stadium playing hits like Bohemian Rhapsody (first half), Radio Ga Ga, We Are The Champions, and We Will Rock You. Alongside queen where acts such as Elton John, The Who, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and many more. The two main events were London and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.

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Just one more LIVE AID memory before bed. Here’s Freddie and Deacy on that stage exactly 34 years ago today. Did anyone notice that Freddie’s hand covers the exact spot on the backdrop where he was born ? Zanzibar ! Bri

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal) on Jul 13, 2019 at 11:59pm PDT

Speaking to  TalkRADIO May remembers they “got off stage they just thought “that went kind of OK” and never envisaged the dual-venue benefit show at London’s Wembley Arena in July 1985, which also featured performances from the likes of David Bowie and Madonna, would become a significant part of their legacy.” It was only after the Queen biopic featuring Rami Malek as front Freddie Mercury that he realised that this show meant a lot for them.

Neither May nor any of his former bandmates ever thought Live Aid would be so important or influential a show as it would later become. As the NME puts it “failing to realise that they had delivered one of the most iconic performances of all time.”. It was Live Aid’s show which created Mercury’s more remembered look, it left fans remembering the amazing stage presence and sheer power the band controlled whilst on stage.

Brain May touched on Freddie Mercury’s on-stage presence saying “He had a great spatial awareness, and that’s something very important. If you’re working with people on a stage, you need to have musical contact, but you also need the kind of physical chemistry going on — the awareness of where you are and where you’re aiming your energy.”. 

Queen was an important band in the history of music, known for such inspiring hits that are heard and loved by many generations over time. To say they were influential is a massive understatement, The on-stage performance, and massive anthems have inspired artists and genres. What’s amazing to think is that there are young artists growing up now, they are being influenced by the songs written by one of the most famous bands of our time. On that note, I think it is fitting to end on something May said: “we didn’t realise that it had made such a lasting impression on the ether. … It sort of lives on, doesn’t it?”. 

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As I watch the Sun go down in San Francisco tonight, I ponder how I felt on that sunset 34 years ago – after we’d played Live Aid in the Old Wembley Stadium in London Town. Little did we know how those few minutes on that day would reverberate down through time. So many sunsets since then. And I know for certain that if our dear bro’ Freddie we’re still with us, he would, like us, still be out on the road, far from home, giving it all in pursuit of the roar of a crowd – a crowd of folks who, like us, feel something special stirring in their bodies, and want to celebrate it. 34 years later, why am I here ? Why are we here ? Because this is what we do. I’m still grateful, and somehow still 100 per cent driven. Yep – it was all worth it. Thanks for that roar, folks #liveaid #queen #sunset Guitar note : here you see twin Fender Telecasters – in the spirit of Crazy Little Thing Called Love. I still have my black one, and it appears as a prop in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie – on the meticulously reconstructed Live Aid stage. Freddie’s cream Tele was stolen from our warehouse around 1990. Somebody knows where it is … some day perhaps it will reappear. But for now, like the man who wields it so inimitably here, it’s just a memory. Bri

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal) on Jul 13, 2019 at 8:53pm PDT