Status Quo arrive by tour bus for Rick Parfitt's funeral as he gets rock 'n' roll send-off

Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt was today remembered by his old band mates - who arrived at his funeral in their double-decker tour bus.
Rick Parfitt on stage with Status Quo. Pic: PA.Rick Parfitt on stage with Status Quo. Pic: PA.
Rick Parfitt on stage with Status Quo. Pic: PA.

Led by frontman Francis Rossi, Parfitt's band mate for 50 years, the group's current line-up joined mourners at Woking Crematorium in Surrey.

Rossi was joined by Andy Bown, John "Rhino" Edwards, Leon Cave and Parfitt's replacement as rhythm guitarist, Richie Malone.

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Parfitt carved out a rock'n'roll career spanning half a century as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for the British rock band.

The veteran musician, who married three times, died aged 68 after suffering a severe infection while in a Spanish hospital, which he had visited due to complications with a shoulder injury.

This morning, Parfitt's son Rick Jr - one of four children the guitarist leaves behind - said it was "time to say goodbye" in a Twitter post.

He added: "#RockInPeaceDad" alongside a heart emoji.

Status Quo members, from left, Leon Cave, Andy Bown, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Francis Rossi and Richie Malone arrive for the funeral of guitarist Rick Parfitt. Pic: PA.Status Quo members, from left, Leon Cave, Andy Bown, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Francis Rossi and Richie Malone arrive for the funeral of guitarist Rick Parfitt. Pic: PA.
Status Quo members, from left, Leon Cave, Andy Bown, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Francis Rossi and Richie Malone arrive for the funeral of guitarist Rick Parfitt. Pic: PA.

Early arrivals ahead of the service included the band's former drummers, John Coghlan and Matt Letley.

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Coghlan - part of the band's original line-up - was reunited with Parfitt during the group's 2013 and 2014 reunion tours.

His second wife, Patty Parfitt, was also seen arriving at the service.

One mourner carried a guitar-shaped wreath as a tribute to the late musician.

Status Quo arrive on their tour bus for the funeral of guitarist Rick Parfitt. Pic: PA.Status Quo arrive on their tour bus for the funeral of guitarist Rick Parfitt. Pic: PA.
Status Quo arrive on their tour bus for the funeral of guitarist Rick Parfitt. Pic: PA.

Parfitt's death on Christmas Eve followed years of concern about his health, which had seen him stricken by multiple heart attacks and a cancer scare.

Most recently, Parfitt had been forced to withdraw from his band's tour after he collapsed over the summer.