Introduction
When Rick Parfitt passed away from a severe infection on Christmas Eve 2016, it felt like the end of an era for rock fans everywhere. His bandmate and lifelong friend Francis Rossi admits he still hasn’t shed a tear—and he’s unafraid to say why.
Back in June 2016, after a performance in Turkey, Parfitt suffered a major heart attack in his hotel room. Rossi and the rest of Status Quo watched paramedics battle to resuscitate him, a scene Rossi describes as physically harming his friend. He even wished they had stopped sooner, saying, “I wanted them to leave him alone”
Despite decades of hits and world tours, Rossi and Parfitt’s relationship had frayed in recent years. Arguments over Parfitt’s drinking and the pressure to maintain a rock-star image drove a wedge between them—Rossi recalls that Rick “could be a pest” even as they shared laughs on rare good days.
Rossi is quick to defend their bond: people assumed he hated Parfitt, but in truth they were inseparable for most of their lives. He explains that while the public saw TV double-acts and glossy performances, behind the scenes they spent less time together and clashed over life’s challenges.
After Parfitt recovered consciousness, ongoing health issues led him to step back from touring, and a final acoustic tour was planned—The Last Night of the Electrics. Yet complications from a shoulder injury in late 2016 triggered the rapid infection that ultimately claimed his life.
When asked if he regrets not crying, Rossi stands by his reaction: he didn’t weep for his parents either, and for him, Parfitt “died in Turkey”. He chooses not to use concerts as memorial services, believing that forced emotion would feel inauthentic both to him and the fans.
Status Quo pressed on with Irish guitarist Richie Malone filling Parfitt’s role, shelving retirement plans and returning to the studio and stage with renewed enthusiasm. Rossi says he’s reinvigorated by the challenge, honoring Rick’s legacy by keeping the music alive.