Frontman of veteran rockers Status Quo has never been lost for words - which is lucky, as his latest tour is a spoken word tour.

His new autobiography, I Talk Too Much came out this year and his new album, recorded with Hannah Rickard - who played violin on Status Quo’s acoustic tour - is called We Talk Too Much.

His new tour will see him in conversation with renowned biographer Mick Wall, who he worked with on the book.

“I’ve been talking about it for years,” Francis says. “Even Rick [Parfitt] thought about it, but we both thought the title ‘After Dinner Speaker’ sounded pompous. People say I talk too much, but they also have said that they enjoy hearing my waffle.”

Francis will be talking about his life and career, and there may even be some music.

“I probably won’t do full songs but I may do snippets of songs. I tend to go off on a tangent. The second half of the evening

will be more Q&A from the audience, so knowing me I may get through about three questions in 45 minutes.”

The autobiography is Francis’ third, but the first that is just him as the previous two were with Quo bandmate and musical partner, the late Rick Parfitt.

“The fact that Rick isn’t here any more may help me as it doesn’t seem that I’m being unfaithful by doing all this solo work.”

And what of Quo? “We aren’t doing much as I’m turning 70,” he whispers. “But there are things in the pipeline for 2020.”

DETAILS

Francis Rossi (with Mick Wall) will be Talking Too Much at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Saturday, May 11. Book at churchilltheatre. co.uk He will also be at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone on Friday, May 17. Book at atgtickets.com/folkestone

Read more: All the latest music news across Kent