Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt laid to rest
Status Quo legend Rick Parfitt was laid to rest at a private service at Woking Crematorium in Surrey yesterday (19th January)
Alongside Rick’s family, among those who attended the ceremony were Rick’s bandmate of 50 years Francis Rossi, Quo members Andy Bown, John ’Rhino’ Edwards, Leon Cave and Richie Malone and Rick’s close friend Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley.
Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor sent a floral tribute in the shape of a guitar, writing: “Many wonderful and hilarious memories, rest in peace old friend. We will miss you, Roger and Brian.”
Paying tribute, Tony Hadley told reporters: “I've known Rick since I was 20. He is one of the nicest guys.
“Memories that come back to me are like Live Aid and Band Aid the record. Rick and Francis were just the funniest couple of guys when you’re doing a record like that. He was just a really terrific fella.”
> Time to say goodbye.....#RockInPeaceDad ❤️❤️❤️ > > — Rick Parfitt Jnr (@RickParfittJnr) January 19, 2017
Shortly before the ceremony, Rick’s son Rick Parfitt Jnr wrote on Twitter: “Time to say goodbye.....#RockInPeaceDad.”
Rick died from a severe infection at a hospital in Marbella, Spain on Christmas Eve. He had been admitted days earlier after complications to a shoulder injury, following a previous fall.
The guitarist had departed Status Quo touring duties earlier in 2016 on medical advice but was planning to launch a solo career and autobiography this year.