Undoubtedly one of the most recognisable faces in rock and roll, Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi will come to Basingstoke next week.

The brains behind anthems such as Rocking All Over The World and In The Army Now will take to the Anvil stage for a calmer, more personal evening of chat - named 'I Talk Too Much'.

"Well, the title is a clue!" Francis says. "Seriously it’s an evening full of stories about my life and career and a few musical interludes along the way.

"Mick Wall [music journalist] is there as compere to ensure that I don’t go hopelessly off topic for the whole evening but it’s very much off script so even I’ll get the odd surprise!

"These shows are totally different to a Quo show. I get to sit down for a start.

"It’s not a concert in any way, the vast majority of the show is me talking away, though I may do a couple of acoustic tracks if I feel so inclined!"

Despite the musician appearing at some of the biggest music events in the world - like Live Aid and Glastonbury - Francis says that he prepares for every show, no matter how big or small, exactly the same.

"People always say to me, 'Live Aid must have been great, how amazing to do Glastonbury'. And yes, these are all things I look back on with some pleasure, but at the time it’s just a show.

"I treat every show in the same way, each needs to be as good as the last and if it’s not then I beat myself up and push even harder. That’s one of the reasons we’ve lasted I suppose, we’ve never stopped pushing ourselves and never taken anything for granted.

"Also, the fact that we were never fashionable has really helped, though it annoyed me at times, because we could never become unfashionable!"

As the mainstay of a band that has been as successful through the decades, it's fair to say that things have changed a bit since he and Quo started out.

Francis says: "Fame used to be a product of talent. That’s not always the case these days. I think that taking the quick route via some internet initiative or something like the X Factor can often lead to pain or failure because those involved haven’t learned their craft or paid their dues.

"Things can blow up overnight these days and it’s not always a good thing."

However, he says that technology can make things better.

"It’s easier than ever to actually make a record. I love that. I’m certainly not afraid to embrace a lot of the new ways of working. Then again, for me music is all about connection, making people feel something. That’s why I love playing the songs live. I don’t think that will ever change.

Francis Rossi will be live at the Anvil on Thursday, March 12. For more go to www.anvilarts.org.uk or call 01256 844244.