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RICHIE MALONE

Rhythm guitarist for Status Quo since 2016

First Quo gig: 20-7-2016 Leuven Oude Markt, Belgium

Last Quo gig: 23-8-2024 Taunton Vivary Park, UK

Richie Malone (born 18 March 1986) is an Irish musician who likes to play rhythm guitar. Richie first played with Status Quo in Leuven, Belgium (20. July 2016), when legendary guitarist Rick Parfitt was no longer able to tour due to a heart attack. Rick Parfitt died on 24. December 2016, and Richie became his permanent replacement in late 2016.

Richie was the frontman of RAID, a rock band based in Dublin - and was a fan of Status Quo through his father Karl, first seeing them live in concert in 1999. He was particularly a fan of rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt, emulating his playing style from a young age, and travelling to England to have a replica of Parfitt's trademark white 1965 Fender Telecaster made.

Richie met the band a number of times backstage after concerts, and became friends with them. In June 2016, whilst touring with Status Quo, Rick Parfitt suffered a severe heart attack and was unable to finish the tour. Richie was selected to substitute for Rick Parfitt for gigs in Belgium and Edinburgh in July, before Freddie Edwards, the son of Status Quo bassist John "Rhino" Edwards, took over again. Richie Malone filled in for Parfitt again for concerts in later 2016. Parfitt died on 24 December 2016, and he became a permanent band member of legendary Status Quo.

Richie uses three Telecasters and two Mayson acoustic guitars on tour with Status Quo. The first Telecaster is a custom built by Mike Smith designed by Malone himself with .13–56 strings called the "AC Cobra". The second is a replica of his predecessor Rick Parfitt's white Telecaster built by Mike Smith also with .13–56 strings, which was a birthday present from his father Karl, and which Malone has reportedly played at every gig since he was 21. The third is a Fender American Special with 11-.49 strings, used for performances of "Hold You Back".  The Mayson acoustics are a DM5SCE and an MS7SCE, both with LR Baggs Anthem pickups.

He currently formed his new band called The Richie Malone Band (with Jay Forbes, Paul Wallace and Grant Nicholas) and he will also continue to support the Status Quo tribute bands „The Quo Story" and "The Belgian Quo Band" live from time to time and appear as a special guest.

R.A.I.D

Bandmembers: Richie Malone (voc,g), Jay Forbes (g, voc), Alan Smyth (d), Brendan Smyth* (b), Paul Wallace (b)

Raid was a hugely entertaining and animated four piece band hailing from South Dublin. They were a massive crowd pleaser, playing classic rock and blues from the likes of Status Quo, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Eric Clapton, blended with originals which give their own take on the genre. Dynamic frontman Richie Malone keeps the crowd entertained with his fluent in-between-song banter and crowd participation skills. Talented lead guitarist Jason Forbes, energetic drummer Alan Smyth and newest addition to the Raid camp, funk-rock bassist Brendan Smyth, also make sure that anyone who comes to see Raid are guaranteed to enjoy themselves and see a damn good show. Raid have clocked up both headline and support slots all over Ireland. They also played monthly slots in Walters Bar in Dun Laoghaire and Dublin’s the Mezz Bar as a house band.

2010

31/07/ IRELAND, Dublin - Fibber McGee's

2011

13/02/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

27/02/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

18/03/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

27/03/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

04/04/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

08/04/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

11/04/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

23/04/ IRELAND, Newtownmountkennedy - The Town House*

30/04/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

20/05/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

03/06/ IRELAND, Dublin - Academy 2*

04/06/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

06/06/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Noggin Inn*

18/06/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

02/07/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

24/07/ IRELAND, Newtownmountkennedy - The Town House*

06/08/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

21/08/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

09/10/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar*

15/10/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

16/10/ IRELAND, Kinnegad - Octoberfest*

31/12/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

2012

25/02/ IRELAND, Dublin - Fibber McGee's*

16/03/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

01/04/ IRELAND, Drogheda - Cellars*

05/04/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - The Graduate* (support to Knights of Leon)

14/04/ IRELAND, Dublin - Fibber McGee's*

05/05/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Noggin Inn*

12/05/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Noggin Inn*

23/06/ IRELAND, Drogheda - Boggers Bar*

27/10/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar*

07/12/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

14/12/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

21/12/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

27/12/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

2013

01/06/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Palace (unplugged)

08/06/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar (unplugged)

29/06/ IRELAND, Rathdrum - County Wicklow Clashfest

12/07/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

25/10/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

29/11/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar (unplugged)

13/12/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar (unplugged)

27/12/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

2014

11/01/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

24/01/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

21/02/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

21/03/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

22/03/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

28/03/ IRELAND, Dun Laoghaire - Walters Bar (unplugged)

11/04/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

20/06/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

18/07/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

02/08/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

23/08/ IRELAND, Galway - Kings Head

19/09/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

26/10/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

31/12/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

2015

23/01/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Mezz Bar

24/01/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

07/03/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

24/04/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

29/05/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

25/07/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

15/08/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

26/09/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

07/11/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

03/10/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Noggin Inn

05/12/ IRELAND, Stillorgan - Orchard Pub

2024

12/10/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Noggin Inn

2025

26/03/ IRELAND, Dublin - The Noggin Inn (Remembering Collie Brophy gig)

Live projects feat. Richie in 2023 - 2027:

11/08/2023  Belgian Quo Band - Lede, Feest, Belgium

10/08/2023  Belgian Quo Band - Kortrijk, Alcatraz Open Air Festival, Belgium

13/08/2023  Frantic Quo - Dautphe, Rockin' Hinterland Festival, Germany

12/12/2024  The Quo Story - Melbourne, Musicland, Australia

13/12/2024  The Quo Story - Bendigo, Golden Vine Hotel, Australia

14/12/2024  The Quo Story - Bendigo, Australia (private show)

07/08/2025  Belgian Quo Band - Kortrijk, Alcatraz Open Air Festival, Belgium

08/08/2025  Belgian Quo Band - Dordrecht, Bibelot, Netherlands

09/08/2025  Belgian Quo Band - Oostakker - Bruudruusterrock, Belgium

10/08/2025  Belgian Quo Band - Zedelgem, Batjes, Belgium

13/08/2025  Belgian Quo Band - Colombe lés Vesoul, Colomb'in Rock Festival, France

15/08/2025  The Quo Story - Stoneheaven, Town Hall, UK

16/08/2025  The Quo Story - Easingwold York, Galtres Centre, UK

24/01/2026  The Quo Story - Larbert, Dobbie Hall, UK

07/04/2026  The Richie Malone Band - Dublin, Fibber Magee's Basement, Ireland

01/05/2026  The Quo Story - Kirriemiur, Bonfest, UK

15/05/2026  The Quo Story - Aberdeen, Tivoli Theatre, UK

16/05/2026  The Quo Story - Troon, Concert Hall, UK 

29/05/2026  The Richie Malone Band - Murcia, San Javier Hot Rally Festival, Spain

14/08/2026  Belgian Quo Band - Oostkamp De Oude Schaere, Belgium

15/08/2026  Belgian Quo Band - Hamburg, Germany (private Show)

16/08/2026  Belgian Quo Band - Weert Festival Vrakkerplein Boshoven, Netherlands

22/01/2027  Belgian Quo Band - Ulft, Dru,Netherlands

23/01/2027  Belgian Quo Band - Buchholz, Empore, Germany

24/01/2027  Belgian Quo Band - Uden, De Pul, Netherlands