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Former Deep Purple Keyboardist Jon Lord Passes Away Aged 71

Band Photo: Deep Purple (?)

Former Deep Purple keyboardist, Jon Lord, who was with the band from 1968 until 2002, has passed away at the age of 71, after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. A message from his official website reads as follows:

"It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jon Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism today, Monday, July 16th 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 - June 9, 1941 – July 16, 2012."

Jon Lord was born in the East Midlands city of Leicester in 1941 and originally intended on becoming an actor, moving to London to do so in his late teenage years. A highly skilled musician, he joined a number of London jazz bands before forming the now legendary band Deep Purple in 1968 with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice, singer Rod Evans and bass player Nick Simpler. He was also a member of Whitesnake from 1978 until 1984 and released two studio albums, "Beyond The Notes" and "To Notice Such Things" after his retirement from Deep Purple in 2002. Most recently, he had been working with the supergroup WhoCares, which features his former bandmate Ian Gillan, as well as Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain.