Guitar hero who rocked them all over the world
‘To many he was a rock star, to me he was simply Dad’
TRIBUTES from a host of rock stars poured in after Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt died in hospital suffering from a severe infection.
The star, 68, whose career spanned half a century with Quo guitarist Francis Rossi, had visited a hospital in Marbella, Spain, because of complications with a shoulder injury, his manager Simon Porter said.
Yesterday, Queen’s Brian May said: “Shocked and so sad to hear of the passing of Rick Parfitt. Hard to find words. You truly joyfully rocked our world. RIP, dear buddy.”
The Who also offered their “condolences to the family and friends” on Twitter.
Parfitt was famous for opening Live Aid with Quo in 1985 with their hit Rockin’ All Over The World.
Live Aid co-organiser Midge Ure said: “Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt dies. Dreadfully sad. Lovely man. Thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
Fellow rocker Bryan Adams tweeted: “RIP Rick Parfitt. Deepest condolences to Rick’s family, Francis Rossi, Simon Porter and all the members of Status Quo.”
Spandau Ballet star Martin Kempt wrote: “RIP you lovely man Rick Parfitt. You rocked all around the world and back again. One of rock’s great characters. You will be missed!” Parfitt’s death on Christmas Eve followed years of concern about his ill health, which had seen him stricken by multiple heart attacks and a cancer scare.
Most recently he had been forced to withdraw from his band’s tour after he collapsed and briefly “died” over the summer, according to Simon Porter.
Yesterday his son Rick Jr, one of Parfitt’s four children, also wrote a touching tribute, saying: “I cannot describe the sadness I feel right now. To many he was a rock star, to me he was simply ‘Dad’, and I loved him hugely. RIP Pappa Parf”.
Parfitt and Rossi both received OBEs in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in 2010.
But the awards belied humble beginnings with the pair having first met in 1965 when they were separately playing the summer season at Butlin’s in Minehead.
Parfitt later joined Rossi in Status Quo in 1967 in time for the release of the psychedelic Pictures Of Matchstick Men which became their first hit, reaching number seven in January 1968.
They went on to build a huge dedicated fan base in a career spanning five decades. With hits like Caroline, Down Down and Whatever You Want, Quo enjoyed huge commercial success. They now boast worldwide record sales of 122 million and have spent 500 weeks in the UK album charts. Parfitt was married three times, first to Marietta Broker with whom he had his first son Rick Jnr and daughter Heidi, who died when she was two-and-ahalf. He later married Patty Beedon with whom he had a son Harry.
His third marriage was to Lyndsay Whitburn, with whom he had twins Tommy and Lily in 2008.
Parfitt’s family and manager said in a statement: “We are truly devastated to have to announce that Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has passed away. This tragic news comes at a time when Rick was hugely looking forward to launching a solo career with an album and autobiography planned for 2017 following his departure from touring activities on medical advice.
“He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fellow band members, management, crew and his dedicated legion of fans from throughout the world.”