Monday, July 16, 2012

Former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord dead at 71



Jon Lord 9 June 1941 – 16 July 2012


Former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord has passed away today at the age of 71.

Jon’s website revealed the news that Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism Monday at the London Clinic, passed after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jon was surrounded by his loving family.

Lord, the legendary keyboard player with Deep Purple, co-wrote many of the bands legendary songs including “Smoke On The Water,” and played with many bands and musicians throughout his career.

Best known for his Orchestral work “Concerto for Group & Orchestra” first performed at Royal Albert Hall with Deep Purple and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969 and conducted by the renowned Malcolm Arnold, a feat repeated in 1999 when it was again performed at the Royal Albert Hall by the London Symphony Orchestra and Deep Purple.

Jon’s solo work was universally acclaimed when he eventually retired from Deep Purple in 2002.

Jon passes from Darkness to Light.

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