in Marbella since June, when he suffered a heart attack while on tour in Turkey


Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt today died in a Spanish hospital at the age of 68 as Queen legend Brian May led the tributes - saying that he 'rocked our world'.

Parfitt had been recuperating since June when he suffered a heart attack but died after suffering from a severe infection.

His son, Rick Jr, paid his own emotional tribute online, writing that, although he was a rock star to many, to him 'he was simply 'Dad', and I loved him hugely'.

It comes after the veteran musician was taken into hospital in Marbella on Thursday evening due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury.

He died there at lunchtime on Saturday, his manager and family said in a statement.

Similar outpourings of sadness came from across the musical community, where he was praised as 'a lovely man' and 'one of the nicest guys in rock 'n' roll'.

May, 69, said: 'Shocked and so sad to hear of the passing of Rick Parfitt. Hard to find words. You truly joyfully rocked our world. RIP dear buddy.'

One of the most celebrated live performances of Parfitt's career came at Live Aid on July 13 1985, when he opened the historic 16-hour concert with Status Quo in a 15-minute slot at the original Wembley Stadium which was broadcast around the world.

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Parfitt, seen here performing at Glastonbury Festival in 2009, had suffered from ill health in recent years and was rushed into hospital in Spain on Thursday

Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt on stage at Knebworth in 1990. Parfitt endured a strained relationship with bandmate Rossi for a number of years

Queen's Brian May led the tributes and sad that he was 'shocked and so sad to hear' the news and added that he 'rocked our world'

Parfitt's son tweeted that he could not 'describe' the sadness that he feels after his father passed away and he added 'RIP Pappa Parf'

Midge Ure wrote that it was 'dreadfully sad' and that Parfitt was a 'lovely man' and wanted thoughts to go out to his friends and family

The Who tweeted their tribute to the guitarist, saying, 'Our condolences to the family and friends of Rick Parfitt of @Status_Quo R.I.P. Rick,' while esteemed music journalist Bob Harris said: 'So now we've lost Rick Parfitt from the mighty Quo. Such sad news. RIP.'

Chas and Dave also paid tribute saying: 'Very shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of our friend Rick Parfitt. RIP Rick.'

The rockstar's death also resonated further than the musical sphere, with Gary Linekar taking to Twitter to pay tribute.

'The year in which the Status Quo has shifted in so many ways ends with the loss of Rick Parfitt. How terribly sad. RIP,' he said.

Status Quo's website updated to show a full-screen picture of the rocker on stage with his guitar after news of his death broke

The event's co-organiser and fellow musician Midge Ure said: 'Status Quo's Rick Parfitt dies. Dreadfully sad. Lovely man. Thoughts go out to his family and friends.'

The band carved out a place in musical history with their thumping rock sound, which shot them to stardom in the 1970s.

Rock star Peter Frampton, who also found success during that era, tweeted: 'So sad to hear this. Rick Parfitt Rest In Peace'.

As a member of Status Quo, Parfitt found success globally with hits such as Rockin' All Over The World and Whatever You Want.

Rick is survived by his third wife Lyndsay, who he was married to for a decade, their twins Tommy and Lily, and his adult children Rick Jnr and Harry.

In 1985, during Live Aid, the band played Rockin' All Over the World and sent the thousands of spectators into a frenzy at the historic spectacle, set up to tackle global poverty.

The band carved out a place in musical history with their thumping rock sound, which shot them to stardom in the 1970s.

Parfitt, 68, had weathered drink and drug problems in the past and doctors warned him the debauchery could cost him his life after his first bypass in 1997

Rick is survived by his third wife Lyndsay, pictured right, their twins Tommy and Lily, and his adult children Rick Jnr and Harry

Parfitt was planning to record an album with fellow former members John Coghlan and Alan Lancaster in the new year

After years of drug-taking and hard living, Parfitt, from Woking, Surrey, had been dogged by health concerns. Most recently, he pulled out of the band's tour following a heart attack over the summer.

Manager Simon Porter said at the time Parfitt had 'died' for several minutes, which had affected him mentally.

He was found lying on the floor by a colleague returned to his room feeling unwell a show in Antalya, Turkey.

Parfitt suffered 'mild cognitive impairments' following what was his third heart-attack.

He first suffered a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 after touring with the band for decades, during which time he had weathered drink and drug problems.

Parfitt stopped touring with the band earlier this year, after taking advice from doctors.

The self-confessed former drug addict had suffered a catalogue of health problems including a throat cancer scare in 2005 and another heart attack in 2011.

Medics first informed Parfitt his lifestyle of rock and roll debauchery could cost him his life after his first bypass in 1997.

But, despite cutting down on his vices, he vowed not to become a 'born-again Christian' and still enjoyed the 'odd pint'.

He joins a long list of celebrated musicians to have died in 2016 - including David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen.

His manager and family said in a statement: 'We are truly devastated to have to announce that Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has passed away at lunchtime today.

'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.

'Rick is survived by his wife Lyndsay, their twins Tommy and Lily and Rick's adult children Rick Jnr and Harry.

'No further comment will be made at this time and Rick's family, and the band, ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.'

Status Quo are currently performing their 'Last Night of the Electrics' world tour with former tribute-band guitarist Ritchie Malone standing in for Parfitt.

Parfitt had been recovering from his recent heart attack in Marbella, Spain, and living apart from third wife Lyndsay, 56, and their twin children after bitter rows over his hard living lifestyle.

ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RICK PARFITT Status Quo, pictured together in 1977 With a career spanning some 50 years, Rick Parfitt and his Status Quo bandmates were as well known for their double denim and mullets as they were for their recreational drug use. Parfitt was born in Woking, Surrey, in 1948, and described his upbringing as 'wonderful'. He admitted to the Guardian in 2013 that he was a typically naughty boy, and his father, although a drinker and a gambler, was strict with him. He would frequently use the belt on his son to discipline him. Rick called his mother a 'sweet woman' and said she tolerated his father's drinking, and even him taking money from her purse to go to the pub. He first started playing guitar at the age of 11, day dreaming of Cliff Richard but with no musical influence from his parents, he was never sure how his interest was piqued. His first job earned him £5 a week at Sunshine Holiday Camp in Hayling Island, Hampshire. He met Francis Rossi at Butlins in Minehead in 1965. Two years later, Rick, with Rossi, Alan Lancaster, John Coghlan and Roy Lynes formed Status Quo. The band first hit was Matchstick Men, released in 1968, a psychedelic song, which charted at number seven. Their next hit came with Ice in the Sun but they changed direction, swapping flowery shirts for double denim. Whatever You Want became one of the band's biggest hits, and later, they were known for Rockin' All Over the World. For much of his life, Parfitt dutifully lived up to what is expected of the archetypal hellraiser. He formed a 20-year cocaine habit, costing £1,000 a week, crashed his Porsche, and spent £500 a week on vodka. He once threw a complete dining room suite into a swimming pool. They did their bit for charity, opening Live Aid with Rockin' All Over the World in July 1985. It would be their final appearance with the Kircher line-up. But after the birth of his twins, the rocker even gave up smoking. Status Quo, known for drinking, drugs and double denim, pictured on tour in 1991 Rick was married three times, first to Marietta Broker with whom he had his first son Richard and his daughter Heidi, who died when she was two-and-a-half. The rocker said this loss was the beginning of the end of his first marriage. Rick then married Patty Beedon and had his son Harry. He admitted to being absent for much of their childhoods, but said he had a wonderful relationship with his sons. Rick's third marriage was to Lyndsay Whitburn with whom he had twins Tommy and Lily in 2008. Of his relaxed life in Spain, he said: 'I haven't smoked a joint for 27 years and I haven't done any cocaine for 10 years. I just do normal stuff - the kids keep me busy and I go shopping with the missus.' In 2010, he and bandmate Francis Rossi were made OBEs by the Queen. In an interview with the Guardian, Rick said about the twins: 'The whole experience is incredible, but the most frightening thing is that bringing them home from the hospital seems like yesterday. 'And that time from when I brought them home to now – in that same period I shall be 70. That's a bit of a thought, but I'm just lucky not to have died yet and to have seen it all come together. 'I've got the best of all worlds. I've got a beautiful wife, I've got a beautiful home, I've got two beautiful grownup sons and two wonderful kids. What more can I say? The sun's out.' Advertisement

Rick Parfitt on stage with Status Quo at the Isle of Wight Festival, in Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight in June

Status Quo were originally called The Scorpions, and founded by schoolboys Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster in 1962. Parfitt joined in 1965.

Parfitt endured a strained relationship with Rossi, 67, for a number of years, admitting recently he 'didn't really want to return to Quo'.

Instead was planning to record an album with fellow former members John Coghlan and Alan Lancaster in the new year.

He said recently: 'It will take more than death to kill me. I'm just aware of the nervousness I get before I go on stage.

'It does pump your heart slightly when you start to pace up and down the room, and you're about to go in front of thousands of people.

'I do not want to tax myself in any way. I've been told medically not to.

'So whether it's a full gig or a cameo I'd still get fairly nervous and I do not want to get out on stage and drop dead in front of the fans!'

Broadcaster Chris Tarrant expressed his grief at the loss of his friend of more than 40 years.

He said: 'I am truly shattered to have this news. We all honestly felt that he was getting strong again.

'Rick was the ultimate rock and roller. He lived and died as he wanted to...the world is a sadder and poorer place without him'.

Meanwhile fellow British rockers The Who also posted their own homage to the late musician.

A tweet from their official account said: 'Our condolences to the family and friends of Rick Parfitt of @Status-Quo R.I.P. Rick.'

The original members of Status Quo (left-right) Rick Parfitt, Francis Rossi, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan (rear) practice at Sheperton Studios in Surrey in 2013

Status Quo were originally called The Scorpions, and founded by schoolboys Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster in 1962, while Parfitt joined in 1965

Bass player John 'Rhino' Edwards, 63, had revealed his concerns for Parfitt's health in the band's new tour magazine.

Edwards, who has taken over Parfitt's vocal duties, added: 'Rick had been telling me he was having little turns, feeling weird, then it passed.

'But he's one of those people that's always got something wrong with them!

'He very rarely says he's feeling amazing, which ironically he does now.

'In all seriousness, it was a question of when, and not if something like that happened.

'You can't do no exercise and get up and do shows under the amount of pressure and stress we as entertainers undergo.'

Status Quo's Rick Parfitt on stage, during their concert at Wembley Arena in London in December 2006. He died in hospital on Christmas Eve after suffering from a severe infection

Thousands of people paid tribute to Parfitt on social media throughout the day after learning that he had died

One social media user tweeted that it was 'such a terrible year' for rock music while another said 2016 was an 'evil' year

Another Twitter user said that 'thanks for everything' and added that the rocker made the world 'a happier place'

After news of Parfitt's death broke, fans of his music rushed to pay tribute on Twitter.

Mark Bowden wrote: 'Thought we'd had enough bad news from the world of music greats this year but apparently not.

'RIP Rick Parfitt, condolences to his family.'

Rod Devlin tweeted: 'So sad that Rick Parfitt has left us - Rest In Peace and thanks for everything - you made the world a happier place.'

Chris Highfield also tweeted: 'Such a terrible year for rock music. Rick Parfitt RIP.'

Parfitt's music career kicked off after he started playing guitar and singing in The Feathers pub on Goodge Street in London.

His father was approached by an agent from Sunshine Holiday Camp on Hayling Island, who want to give him a performing job.

It was at Butlins that Parfitt met future Status Quo partner Rossi, who was playing in a band called The Spectres.

In 2015, Status Quo passed a milestone enjoyed by only a handful of musicians - spending a total of 500 weeks in the UK album charts.

Following news of his death, their official website updated to show a full-screen picture of the rocker on stage with his guitar.

Parfitt was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours 2010 along with bandmate Francis Rossi.