R.I.P. Deep Purple’s Jon Lord

Keyboardist Jon Lord of Deep Purple passed away after suffering pulmonary embolism as a result from pancreatic cancer. He was 71 years old.

Jonathan Douglas Lord was born June 9, 1941 and spent time in Whitesnake, Paice, Ashton & Lord, The Artwoods and The Flower Pot Men. He is best known for his time in Deep Purple, the band he co-founded in 1968 with drummer Ian Paice, who was the consistent members in the band until 1976. Lord co-wrote many of the band’s many songs over the years, including “Smoke On The Water” and “Hard Lovin Man,” as well as the organ riff on “Child In Time.” He returned with Deep Purple in 1984 until his retirement in 2002

Lord played in Whitesnake from 1978 to 1984, joining his one time former vocalist David Coverdale’s band. During his time, he helped enhance their dual guitar sound on songs such as “Here I Go Again,” “Wine, Women and Song,” “She’s A Woman” and “Till the Day I Die.”

In his later years, he was best known for his Orchestral works on “Concerto For Group and Orchestra,” which was first performed at Royal Albert Hall with Deep Purple and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969 and conducted by Malcolm Arnold. He did it again in 1999 at the Royal Albert Hall, this time with the London Symphony Orchestra and Deep Purple.

The last known project Lord participated on was the rock supergroup WhoCares, which featured vocalist Ian Gillian (Deep Purple), guitarist Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), guitarist Mikko Lindstrom (HIM), bassist Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica) and drummer Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden).