Jon Lord
Deep Purple keyboard player
Jon Lord, 71, a British keyboardist for Deep Purple and Whitesnake, died in London on Monday of a pulmonary embolism after a battle with pancreatic cancer, said a statement on his official website.
Lord co-wrote some of Deep Purple's most famous tunes, including "Smoke on the Water," and later had a successful solo career after his retirement from the band in 2002.
The Leicester, England-born musician got his start playing piano, first taking classical music lessons before shifting to rock 'n' roll.
After moving to London to attend drama school, he joined blues band the Artwoods in 1964 and later toured with the Flowerpot Men — known for their hit "Let's Go to San Francisco" — before joining Deep Purple in 1968.
Deep Purple — which at its peak featured Lord along with singer Ian Gillan, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice and bassist Roger Glover — was one of the top hard-rock bands of the 1970s. Influenced by classical music, blues and jazz, Lord took his Hammond organ and distorted its sound to powerful effect on songs including "Hush," "Highway Star," "Lazy" and "Child in Time."
The group sold more than 100 million albums before splitting in 1976.
Lord went on to play with hard rock group Whitesnake in the late '70s and early '80s and, later, a re-formed Deep Purple.
Jon Lord has sadly passed away
July 16, 2012
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jon Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism today, Monday 16th July at the London Clinic, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jon was surrounded by his loving family.
Jon 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.
Jon Lord 9 June 1941 – 16 July 2012.
Personal message from Ritchie about Jon Lord's passing:
Jon was not only a great musician, he was my favorite dinner companion. We are all deeply saddened. We knew he was sick but the word was that he was recovering and doing much better.
This news came as a complete shock. Without Jon there would be no Deep Purple. He lives on in our hearts and memories.
TributesHearing of Lord's death, Richard Jones of Welsh band Stereophonics, commented, "Deep Purple in Rock was the 1st album I bought. RIP Jon Lord." Geezer Butler of the band Black Sabbath wrote, "One of the great musicians of my generation", while jazz musician Jamie Cullum said, "RIP Jon Lord – a hero of the keys." American rock guitarist Tom Morello commented, "Deep Purple's cornerstone/keyboardist. So many great great songs and that incredible SOUND of his!"[1]
Former keyboard player of rock band Yes, Rick Wakeman, who was a friend of Lord's, said he was "a great fan" and added "We were going to write and record an album before he become ill. His contribution to music and to classic rock was immeasurable and I will miss him terribly."
The Kinks posted at their website: "RIP Jon Lord. A fantastic pianist and composer. With The Kinks, he played keyboards on You Really Got Me. Legend." Dee Snider of heavy metal band Twisted Sister tweeted: "What an amazing musician and a true gentleman. We lost a great one", while Slash, former guitarist with Guns n' Roses commented, "One of the biggest, baddest, heaviest sounds in heavy metal. One of a kind."[18]
Singer Bryan Adams wrote online, "RIP Jon Lord – incredible organist for Deep Purple, one of my fave bands growing up" while veteran DJ Bob Harris said Lord was "a gentleman." Actor Ewan McGregor tweeted, "Jon played with my great friend Tony Ashton. They'll be jamming upstairs now!"[19]
National Turk commented, "Every kid who gets a guitar quickly learns to bat out the guitar riffs of "Smoke on the Water". But listeners should be just as aware of the fat, satisfying chords of Jon Lord’s organ, a force which gave Blackmore’s iconic chords their ideal answer."[20
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Lord
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My most embarassing moment on this newsgroup: Lord responds 5/11/01
Date: 1999/05/09
LordYewden wrote:
> Vince wrote
>
> >there IS a difference with IG: there's the one who used to be able to
> >sing...then there's this other guy nowadays called IGwho can't
(except in >the
> studio alittle bit).
>
> Then there's the one I stand behind on stage every night who sings
like an
> absolute dream. Mind you what do I know - I've only been playing organ
for him
> to sing to for the past 30 years.
> Regards
> Jon
Wow---is this REALLY Jon Lord? 8-)
If so, I'm only agreeing with Ritchie regarding Ian's voice nowadays.
Then again,
I'm basing this largely on the "Come Hell or High Water" video.
Vince
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