Rick Parfitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rick Parfitt
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Performing with Status Quo in Örebro, Sweden in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard John Parfitt |
| Born | 12 October 1948 Woking, Surrey, England |
| Died | 24 December 2016 (aged 68) Marbella, Spain |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1964–2016 |
| Associated acts | Status Quo, Band Aid |
Richard John Parfitt, also known as Rick Parfitt, was an English musician. He was born on October 12, 1948, and passed away on December 24, 2016. He was most famous as a singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Status Quo.
Rick started his music journey in the early 1960s, playing in pubs and holiday camps. He joined Status Quo in 1967 and stayed with them for 49 years. He wrote many songs for the band. In 2016, he stopped touring due to health issues and died later that year. His only solo album, Over and Out, was released after his death in 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Richard John Parfitt was born in Woking, England, on October 12, 1948. He described his childhood as "wonderful." Rick began learning to play the guitar when he was 11 years old.
Starting His Career
In 1963, Rick was playing guitar and singing in a pub in London. An agent saw him and offered him a job performing at a holiday camp. There, Rick joined Jean and Gloria Harrison to form a music group called The Highlights.
At another holiday camp, Rick met Francis Rossi, who would become his bandmate in Status Quo. Francis was playing with his band, The Spectres. Rick was very impressed by their music. Soon after, The Spectres' manager invited Rick to join them because they needed another singer.
Joining Status Quo
In 1967, The Spectres changed their name to The Status Quo. This was the start of Rick Parfitt's nearly 50-year career with the band. One of their first big hits was "Pictures of Matchstick Men". This song was their only Top 40 hit in the United States.
The band became very popular in the 1970s. Some of their famous songs from this time include "Paper Plane" (1972), "Caroline" (1973), and "Down Down" (1975). "Down Down" was their only song to reach number one in the UK.
Worldwide Success
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Status Quo continued to be very successful around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. They were the first band to perform at the huge Live Aid concert in 1985. By 2015, they had sold over 118 million records worldwide.
In 2013 and 2014, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi reunited with the original band members, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan, for a special tour. Rick and Francis were also honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010 for their contributions to music.
Rick Parfitt was the longest-serving member of Status Quo, besides Francis Rossi. He wrote many of the band's biggest hits, including "Whatever You Want" and "Rain".
Other Music Projects
In 1984, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi joined many other famous musicians for the charity song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid. The song raised money for people in need.
Rick also played guitar on a song for Roger Taylor (the drummer from Queen) in 1984. He recorded a solo album in 1985, but it was never released. Later, some of the musicians from that album, John "Rhino" Edwards and Jeff Rich, joined Status Quo.
In 2006, Rick invented something called a "guitar facelift," which was a special cover for guitars. In 2009, he released a Christmas song called "Christmas in the Sun" with Rolf Harris.
In 2013, Rick and Francis Rossi starred as themselves in a comedy film called Bula Quo!. They played characters who accidentally got involved with the mafia in Fiji.
Solo Album After His Death
On December 1, 2017, it was announced that Rick Parfitt's solo album, Over and Out, would be released in 2018. Rick had worked on this album after he had a heart attack in 2016. He finished the singing and guitar parts, but he passed away before the album was fully produced.
Other musicians helped finish the album, including Brian May from Queen and Chris Wolstenholme from Muse. Rick's son, Rick Parfitt Jnr, also helped produce it. The album was very popular, reaching number 3 in the UK charts.
Musical Instruments
Rick Parfitt was famous for playing a white 1965 Fender Telecaster guitar. He also played other guitars like a Gibson SG Junior and a Zemaitis. For his sound, he used Marshall amplifiers and VOX AC30 amplifiers.
Personal Life
In 1973, Rick Parfitt married Marietta Boeker. They had a son named Richard, who is known as Rick Parfitt Jr., a race car driver and musician. They also had a daughter, Heidi, who sadly passed away young.
Rick later married Patty Beeden in 1988, and they had a son named Harry in 1989. In 2006, Rick married Lyndsay Whitburn. They had twins, Tommy and Lily, in 2008.
Death and Tributes
Rick Parfitt passed away on December 24, 2016, in a hospital in Marbella, Spain. He died from an infection called sepsis, which developed after a shoulder injury. His funeral was held on January 19, 2017.
Many friends and musicians shared their sadness after Rick's death. Brian May from Queen, The Who, and Peter Frampton were among those who sent their condolences. Rick's bandmates, including Francis Rossi and former drummer John Coghlan, also shared their tributes. John Coghlan even read a poem about Rick at a concert.
In June 2017, a special blue plaque was placed in Rick's hometown of Woking to remember him. His son, Rick Parfitt Jr., and former bandmate John Coghlan attended the ceremony.
Images for kids
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Performing with Status Quo in Örebro, Sweden in 2007
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Rick Parfitt (centre), with Status Quo in 1978
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Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Rick Parfitt para niños
