Jon-Lord-Obituary

Jon Lord

Obituary

LONDON (AP) - British rocker Jon Lord, former keyboardist for the band Deep Purple, died Monday. He was 71 years old.

A statement on Lord's official website says the Leicester, England-born musician suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism in London after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Lord co-wrote some of Deep Purple's most famous tunes, including "Smoke on the Water," and later had a successful solo career following his retirement from the band in 2002. The statement posted on Lord's website said he died "surrounded by his loving family."

Earlier this month, Lord canceled a performance of his Durham Concerto in Germany. At the time, his website assured fans that it was "not a matter for concern, but it is a continuation of his regular treatment that has just taken longer than anticipated."

Lord had written to fans last year saying he was fighting cancer and would be taking a break from performing "while getting the treatment and c ure."

"I shall of course be continuing to write music - in my world it just has to be part of the therapy - and I fully expect to be back in good shape next year," he wrote in August 2011.

Lord got his musical start playing piano, first taking classical music lessons before shifting to rock and 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 went on to sell more than 100 million albums before splitting in 1976.

Lord went on to play with Whitesnake and later, a re-formed Deep Purple.


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

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You'll be missed Mr Lord!

I feel as if I have lost a family member even though I never knew Jon personally. I grew up on his music.

My Dear Jon Lord. It is almost four years You leave oss. Today is like when was yesterday You was which oss. Nothing is changing except pain because You are gone. Almost every day I looking You playing hamond on my pc. I miss you very much. I can't believe that you will never again show up your self on stage. Rest in peace.

Maestro descanse en paz

Jon has influenced and inspired many musicians and music fans. His sound and his kind to play his Hammond were fantastic, unique and full spirit. He was for me the father of the classical rock music and my ideal. I thank Jon for his wonderful and timeless music and for his great live concerts where I could see him. He did alltimes an excellent job and he was always friendly ad full of enthusiasm.
The great master has gone. I will take his music into my own grave.
Rest in Peace,...

A gentlemen,a friend,a genius of music. The best bloody organist ever. Thank you Jon.i can see you sitting with Ludwig,all your peers composing one hellava piece of music.

Thanks for showing us your skills and your knowledge of music, you created the best melodies of all the history. RIP, Sir Jon Lord.

-Jose Matute(Venezuela).

Best keyboardist ever!
Jon, thanks for the tunes you brought to us!
I had th chance to attend your concert on 21st of November 2010 - it was overwhelming!!

God luck for your where ever you are now ...