Parfitt had been recuperating since June when he suffered a heart attack but died after suffering from a severe infection.
His son, Rick Jr, paid his own emotional tribute online, writing that, although he was a rock star to many, to him 'he was simply 'Dad', and I loved him hugely'.
It comes after the veteran musician was taken into hospital in Marbella on Thursday evening due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury.
He died there at lunchtime on Saturday, his manager and family said in a statement.
Similar outpourings of sadness came from across the musical community, where he was praised as 'a lovely man' and 'one of the nicest guys in rock 'n' roll'.
May, 69, said: 'Shocked and so sad to hear of the passing of Rick Parfitt. Hard to find words. You truly joyfully rocked our world. RIP dear buddy.'...read more>>>...