“I’ve got to apologise to the fans really because it’s my fault. You know you live the rock and roll lifestyle and at some stage you’ve got to pay for it. And I’m now paying for it” – Rick Parfitt
Rick Parfitt of Status Quo – 1978
Parfitt was born in Woking, Surrey in 1948. son of an insurance salesman, “who was a drinker and a gambler”. He learnt the guitar at 11 and ended up as a performer in a Cabaret trio called the Highlights. It was at Butlin’s where he met Francis Rossi and would eventually join his band then called Traffic Jam. In 1967 the name was changed to The Status Quo and then Status Quo. Parfitt and Rossi were the only members of the group that stayed for the entire duration.
Roy Lynes, Alan Lancaster, John Coghlan, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi in 1968
Status Quo posing in Peckham.
Quo in Peckham, c.1973
![Blue For You - Status Quo's 1976 Album. The 1976 "Mystery Song", co-written with Bob Young, was composed after Rossi had laced Parfitt's tea with amphetamine sulphate during the sessions for the Blue for You album. Rossi later said: "He was playing the riff when we left the studio, and he was still playing it when we came back the next day!"[10]](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Status-quo_1976_Blue-for-you_1-1046x1024.jpg)
Blue For You – Status Quo’s 1976 Album. The 1976 “Mystery Song”, co-written with Bob Young, was composed after Rossi had laced Parfitt’s tea with amphetamine sulphate during the sessions for the Blue for You album. Rossi later said: “He was playing the riff when we left the studio, and he was still playing it when we came back the next day!”
Guests at a farewell party for British rock band Status Quo, 1984.( Back row, left to right:) Lemmy of Motorhead, Roger Taylor of Queen, Andy Bown of Status Quo, John Entwistle (1944 – 2002) of The Who, Kenney Jones, Francis Rossi of Status Quo, Rick Wakeman, Denny Laine. (Front row, left to right:) unknown, Alan Lancaster, Rick Parfitt and Pete Kircher of Status Quo, unknown.
Rick Parfitt of Status Quo – 1973
Status Quo in 1978
Rick Wakeman, Toyah Willcox and Rick Parfitt on Tiswas – 1979
Rick Parfitt with Sir Cliff Richard – 1985
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