Writer’s tributes to Quo guitarist Rick
One of the writers behind Status Quo’s autobiography has paid tribute to guitarist Rick Parfitt after he died on Christmas Eve.
Kent journalist Roger Kasper co-wrote 1993’s Just For The Record, which told the story of Parfitt and bandmate Francis Rossi’s journey from ambitious youngsters to global stars.
The death of Parfitt in a Spanish hospital prompted tributes from around the world, and Mr Kasper said the festive season had been ‘tarnished by his passing’.
Parfitt had appeared several times with Quo at the Castle Concerts in Rochester, but in July he pulled out of one of the gig after suffering a heart attack while on tour in Turkey.
The previous year their sellout concert had to be cancelled when Parfitt fell ill with a stomach complaint.
Looking back on the book, Mr Kasper recalled landing the gig after interviewing the band at the NEC in Birmingham for the News of the World.
“They revealed their autobiography plans for the following year and I handed them my business card and cheekily suggested that if they needed help with writing it, I was their man,” he said.
“Amazingly, they chose me, and I would meet with Rick on Mondays at his flat in Chessington to interview him. I remember jumping into his soft-top Aston Martin and driving down to his mum’s to go through her memories and family album.
“Then to the grave of his tragic daughter Heidi, who died in a swimming pool accident at his home. This was the only sombre moment I ever spent with Rick.” He recounted lighter moments. “Back at his home, I found I had a flat tyre. He watched as I jacked up the car and changed the wheel. I thought the petrolhead would have rolled up his sleeves and lent a hand – ever the rock star.
Parfitt was admitted to hospital due to complications arising from a pre-existing shoulder injury, which had already seen him depart from Status Quo’s touring activities.