A tribute to Rick Parfitt: Celebrating the life and legacy of a rock star
Rick Parfitt’s family will host an intimate evening of music, memories and celebration to mark 10 years since the Status Quo legend’s death, with all profits donated to the British Heart Foundation.
On Sunday, December 6, The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, will host “A Tribute to Rick Parfitt”, celebrating the life, music and legacy of one of Britain’s most loved rock stars.
Parfitt, (pictured above) co-founder and guitarist of Status Quo, died on Christmas Eve 2016.
Ten years on, his widow, Lyndsay Parfitt, and their twins, Tommy and Lily, are bringing together family, friends and fans for a special evening dedicated to celebrating Rick’s extraordinary career and the lasting impact he made on British rock music.
With more than five decades in the music industry, Rick helped establish Status Quo as one of Britain’s most successful and enduring rock bands.
Their phenomenal catalogue includes more than 50 Top 40 hits and numerous chart-topping albums. Anthems such as “Rockin’ All Over the World”, “Whatever You Want”, “Caroline” and “Down Down” have become timeless classics, ensuring that Rick’s music continues to resonate with generations of fans around the world.
Lyndsay, Tommy and Lily Parfitt have lived and worked in Bury St Edmunds since returning from Spain shortly after Rick’s death.
The idea for the tribute came from Lyndsay’s desire to ensure that Rick’s remarkable life and career received the recognition it deserved as the 10th anniversary of his passing approached.
She said: “I wanted to do something to remember and celebrate Rick’s amazing career, not only for him, but for his family, friends and fans.
“There has not been an official tribute to Rick since he died, and I wanted to put that right. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years this Christmas. I thought now is the most appropriate time!”
The evening will feature performances from two of Britain’s favourite Status Quo tribute bands, The Quo Experience and Quo’d, bringing the unmistakable sound and energy of Quo to the stage.
The event will also feature special appearances by Tommy and Lily Parfitt, alongside Wayne Morris, one of Rick’s closest friends and songwriting collaborators.
Wayne will perform several songs that he co-wrote with Rick, including the festive favourite “It’s Christmas Time”, accompanied by The Quo Experience.
While the evening will honour Rick’s extraordinary musical achievements, it will also celebrate the man behind the rock-star image: a devoted husband, father, friend and much-loved member of the music community.
Lyndsay said: “I want it to be an intimate night of remembrance, but also a fun night of celebration.
“Both Tommy and Lily are so proud of their dad, and they both wanted to be part of a fitting tribute — not just to ‘Dad the rock star’, but also to ‘Rick the dad’.
“There will be a few tears, no doubt, but also loads of fun. Just the way their dad would have wanted it.”
All profits from the event will be going to the British Heart Foundation, supporting the charity’s vital work in the fight against heart and circulatory diseases.
For more information, or to book tickets, see www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000.