Died On This Date (December 24, 2016) Rick Parfitt / Status Quo
themusicsover Rick Parfitt
October 12, 1948 – December 21, 2016
Rick Parfitt is best remembered as the rhythm guitarist for the English boogie rock band, Status Quo. Formed as the Spectres in 1962, the group changed its name to Status Quo when Parfitt joined in 1967. At 54 years, they are one of the longest-running bands in popular music. Only Parfitt and front man, Francis Rossi, remained from the original core until Parfitt’s retirement in October 2016 due to health issues. Over the past five decades, Status Quo recorded over 30 albums, with Parfitt writing or co-writing several of their hits. They appeared on the UK charts 60+ times, more than any other band in history. Status Quo’s biggest hit was 1968’s “Pictures of Matchstick Men,” which made the Top 10 in the UK and Canada, while peaking at #12 in the US. They have sold over 125 million albums worldwide. On stage, Status Quo played for adoring fans all over the world, but their biggest live moment was no doubt when they opened the massive Live Aid concert which was televised around the world on July 13, 1985. On December 23, Rick Parfitt was admitted to the hospital due to complications from a shoulder injury he sustained in a recent fall. He died the next day from an infection attributed to the injury. He was 68.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
What You Should Own
Colonel Abrams was an American R&B singer who launched his career in 1976 and rose to fame during the mid-’80s. His biggest hit was 1985’s “Trapped,” which cracked the Top 5 in the UK and topped the US Dance single charts. A follow-up single, “I’m Not Gonna Let You” charted on several dance and R&B charts and further helped lay the foundation of House Music. Abrams’ self-titled debut ultimately reached #75 on the Billboard Top 200, as well as #13 on their R&B Album chart. He went on to release three more albums over the next decade along with several more club and dance hit singles. In 2007 and 2008, Abrams released a handful of new singles on his own Colonel Records. In more recent years, he could be seen performing at ’80s revival shows. Sadly, it has been reported that Abrams was homeless and living in poor health as recently as 2015. Colonel Abrams was 67 when he passed away on November 24, 2016. Cause of death was not immediately released.
