Francis Rossi is the founder, songwriter, guitarist, and singer of Status Quo, as well as a solo artist. Together with Rick Parfitt, he has been part of one of the most successful and iconic duos in rock and roll history for decades. With a career built on remarkable success, the music of Status Quo has remained true to its essence over the years. Francis Rossi and Status Quo have often joked about rock and roll being centered around the notorious “three chords.” However, the art and magic of songwriting—along with the quality of the storytelling in the lyrics—have always been a serious matter for Rossi and the band. For this reason, Francis has decided to open his home studio archives and share the earliest recordings and songwriting sessions of tracks that would later appear on Status Quo albums or his solo projects. Production and collaboration can enhance a song, but they can also alter its raw essence. With this in mind, Francis is sharing with his fans the songs he wrote and played either entirely by himself or with minimal help from his team. “The Way We Were Vol. 1” offers a chance to experience how these songs were born - raw, sincere, and performed straight from the heart, without the influence of studio refinement or commercial considerations. This is how the songs originally were. We hope you enjoy them!