Rick Parfitt, Status Quo Guitarist, Dead at 68
Rick Parfitt, guitarist and singer in the long-running British rock group Status Quo, died Saturday following complications from a shoulder injury he sustained in a fall. He was 68.
“We are truly devastated to have to announce that Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has passed away,” Parfitt’s family and Status Quo manager Simon Porter said in a joint statement Saturday.
“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.”
Parfitt was a member of Status Quo for nearly 50 years, spanning from 1967 until October of this year, when the guitarist announced his retirement from performing live after suffering a heart attack earlier in 2016.
“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,” the statement continued. “He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fellow band members, management,…