RICK PARFITT, ONE of the guitarists from iconic British rock band, Status Quo, has died.
BBC News reports that, according to the band’s manager, the 68-year-old died in a hospital in Spain.
He is said to have announced in October that he would no longer be playing with the band after having a heart attack in the summer.
The musician suffered a series of health problems, including undergoing a quadruple heart bypass in 1997, reports the BBC.
Rick Parfitt began playing music with Status Quo founding members Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster in the mid-1960s, and played with the group right up until this year.
Their hits included songs such as Rockin’ All Over the World, Down Down and Whatever You Want.
“We are truly devastated to have to announce that Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has passed away,” his family and manager said in a joint statement.
“He died in hospital in Marbella, Spain as a result of a severe infection, having been admitted to hospital on Thursday evening following complications to a shoulder injury incurred by a previous fall.
“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 Status Quo’s 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, gained through 50 years of monumental success with Status Quo.”
Parfitt is survived by his wife Lyndsay, their twins Tommy and Lily and his adult children Rick Junior and Harry.
With reporting from AFP - © AFP 2016
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say