Status Quo’s Parfitt the ‘ultimate’ rocker
STATUS Quo’s manager has paid tribute to “ultimate rocker” Rick Parfitt, following the guitarist’s death at the age of 68.
The veteran musician suffered from a severe infection while in a Spanish hospital, which he had visited due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury, hismanagersaid.
His death at lunchtime on Saturday followed years of concern about his ill health, which had seen him stricken by multiple heart attacks and a cancer scare.
Simon Porter dined with Parfitt in Malaga earlier this week, adding he was in “good spirits”.
Mr Porter thanked fans and friends for their messages and said his 30-year friendship with the musician had been an “absolute rollercoaster”.
“Rick had come to terms that he would be unable to tour with Quo again, but he continued to be very much part of the Quo machine and we discussed future plans for the band.
“More importantly, however, Rick was ecstatic and excited with the news and contracts that I was able to give him for his autobiography, a solo album and a UK ‘evening with’ tour, all scheduled to take place in May of next year.”
Queen guitarist Brian May said Parfitt had “truly joyfully rocked our world”.
Parfitt’s son Rick Jr, one of four children the guitarist leaves behind, said: To many he was a rockstar, to me he was simply ‘Dad’, and I loved him hugely. RIP Pappa Parf.”