Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt was the ultimate rocker who lived the dream, the band's manager said Sunday after he died aged 68 following a severe infection.
"We all thought that Rick was invincible," said Simon Porter, given his numerous recoveries from heart attacks and health scares.
Parfitt was taken into hospital in southern Spain on Thursday due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury. He died on Saturday.
In nearly five decades in the business, marked by hard rock, hard drugs, hard drinking and an unwavering style, Status Quo were synonymous with rock and roll.
Queen guitarist Brian May said Parfitt had "joyfully rocked our world", and Live Aid co-organiser Midge Ure said he was a "lovely man". The Who and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi sent their condolences.
Def Leppard said they "grew up on Status Quo" and had great respect for the band's legacy.
Parfitt had been forced to withdraw from his band's recent tour after he collapsed and briefly "died". He had survived multiple heart attacks.
Porter said he had dinner with Parfitt in Malaga earlier this week, adding he was in "good spirits".
"Rick had come to terms that he would be unable to tour with Quo again, but he continued to be very much part of the Quo machine and we discussed future plans for the band," he said.
"We all thought that Rick was invincible, given his numerous and astounding recoveries from situations which would certainly have killed the average human being.
"Sadly, as we now know, his luck had run out and his line that 'it will take more than death to kill me' has taken a hollow ring."
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