Thousands of fans got “down down, deeper and down” at Rochester Castle for what could be one of Status Quo’s last ever electric gigs.

Guitarist Rick Parfitt was absent following a heart attack last month, but love for the band was undimmed with the faithful determined to enjoy the gig, which was rescheduled after Parfitt fell ill hours before the band was due to play last year.

Quo were never one to leave fans wanting, and as this tour could be one of their last it was no surprise they rattled through the hits – Caroline; Down Down; Rockin’ All Over The World; The Wanderer; You’re in the Army Now; Roll Over Lay Down – all masterfully played by Francis Rossi and co, with Freddie Edwards (son of bass player John ‘Rhino’ Edwards) doing a stalwart job in place of Parfitt.

Among the crowd was Peter Smith, from Melbourne, Australia, who’d made his second trip to England to see his favourite band on British soil following disappointment last year, this time alongside daughter Jessica. But disappointment last year now turned to joy as Peter got to meet Rossi and co backstage before the gig.

“It’s sensational,” said Peter after the gig. “You just understand why this band is an institution in this country.

“They come to Australia and it’s less of an event than this was. Here they’re just part of English society. You’ve got two or three generations of people here, it’s a big event.”

If Peter had been starstruck meeting frontman Rossi, he was soon put at ease.

Status Quo at Rochester Castle Concerts

“I put my arm round him and he said I tweaked his bum. I didn’t! The thing that grabbed me was they gave us the time. They spoke to us like they cared. The drummer asked if I knew any good Italian restaurants in Melbourne.”

Even the absence of his idol Parfitt didn’t diminish the experience.

“It didn’t make a difference,” he added. “When I grew up I wanted to be Rick Parfitt. I had a white telecaster, long hair, but him not being here didn’t make a difference.

“Tonight was all about seeing this band on British soil. This band is an institution.

“That was everything I thought. If someone said to me that I could come back this year after what happened last year and meet the band, as opposed to seeing them last year, I would’ve chosen this.”

The support act on last night was Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel.