Rick Parfitt

Rick Parfitt
Parfitt performing with Status Quo in 2007
Parfitt performing with Status Quo in 2007
Background information
Birth nameRichard John Parfitt
Born(1948-10-12)12 October 1948
Woking, Surrey, England
Died24 December 2016(2016-12-24) (aged 68)
Marbella, Spain
Genres
OccupationsMusician, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1964–2016
Formerly ofStatus Quo

Richard John Parfitt, OBE (12 October 1948 – 24 December 2016) was an English musician, best known as a rhythm guitarist, singer and songwriter with rock band Status Quo.

Parfitt began his career in the early 1960s, playing in pubs and holiday camps. He joined Status Quo in 1967 when they were looking for an additional singer. He wrote songs for the band and remained with them for 49 years. He occasionally guested with other bands, and recorded an unreleased solo album in 1985. In 2016, Parfitt temporarily retired from touring with the band due to ill health, and died in December of that year. His only solo album, Over and Out, was released posthumously in 2018.