Rick Parfitt has died around lunchtime in Spain from a severe infection.
He was admitted to a Marbella hospital on Thursday following complications to a shoulder injury.
In October he shocked die-hard Quo fans by announcing he would no longer perform with the band.
Today his family said in a statement: “We are truly devastated to have to announce that Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has passed away at lunchtime today.
“This tragic news comes at a time when Rick was hugely looking forward to launching a solo career with an album and autobiography planned for 2017 following his departure from Status Quo’s touring activities on medical advice.
“He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fellow band members, management, crew and his dedicated legion of fans from throughout the world, gained through 50 years of monumental success with Status Quo.
“Rick is survived by his wife Lyndsay, their twins Tommy and Lily and Rick’s adult children Rick Jnr and Harry.
“No further comment will be made at this time and Rick’s family, and the band, ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.”
Touching tributes poured in from across the world after the tragic news was announced.
<>He suffered a series of health problems including having to undergo a quadruple heart bypass in 1997.Parfitt wrote many of the band’s biggest hits – including Down Down and Rockin' All Over The World – and his partnership with Francis Rossi won Quo an army of fans.
Their sound survived changes in musical tastes over the years
I cannot describe the sadness I feel right now. To many he was a rockstar, to me he was simply 'Dad', and I loved him hugely. RIP Pappa Parf
— Rick Parfitt Jnr (@RickParfittJnr) December 24, 2016
The band's frontman has been in poor health for much of 2016.
This year alone he has suffered two heart attacks.
In June Parfitt's PA Lyane Ngan found Parfitt lying on the floor after suffering a heart attack in Turkey.
After his Turkey collapse he was ordered by docs to rest for four months.
At the time manager Simon Porter said: “Rick actually died for several minutes directly following his heart attack which resulted in mild cognitive impairments.”
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