Deep Purple have been officially confirmed for the Jon Lord tribute concert next April in London.
The April 4, 2014 event at the Royal Albert Hall will see Deep Purple performing songs that honour and remember their founder and they will also perform with the Orion Orchestra, led by conductor Paul Mann.
Deep Purple join Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Rick Wakeman, Alfie Boe, Joe Brown, Miller Anderson and Steve Balsamo for the tribute event.
The evening will be hosted by the BBC’s Bob Harris.
Lord passed away July 16, 2012 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
With Purple, Lord co-wrote many of the group’s legendary songs, including “Smoke On The Water,” and played with many bands and musicians throughout his career.
Lord is 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 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.
Deep Purple are currently playing a European tour in support of their latest album, “NOW What?!”
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