The musician passed away at his home in Australia where he lived for 45 years

The Southern rockers will play four UK shows in June, supported by Status Quo

The Status Quo guitarist died in hospital in Spain

Double-disc reissues of a selection of the Quo's diversde '70s output

Ale! Ale! Rock'n'roll

Rick Parfitt will miss his first ever Status Quo gig due to illness. The band recently cancelled six concerts on their European tour because 65-year-old Parfitt was rushed to hospital. Parfitt had a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 after doctors said he was in danger of dying as a result of his lifestyle. After surgery, Parfitt said he was not planning on becoming a "born-again Christian" and would still have the "odd pint".

The Quo are currently on a UK tour, hitting London’s O2 on December 15 – and here’s one song that they are sure to be playing. In this piece from the Uncut archives (Take 190, March 2013), Nick Hasted hears all about the denim-clad, ‘boogie-shuffle’ giants’ 1974 hit. “We were the most uncool band in the world, yet the coolest DJ in the world was saying nice things about us…” _________________

Milestone record will be the veteran rockers first ever festive song!

New album and HUGE tour also announced

The prolific rockers to support the Forestry Commission's annual tour