ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 16, 2012
Sad news out of England. Classicrockmagazine.com just reported that legendary keyboardist Jon Lord of Deep Purple fame passed away in London today (July 16), after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71 years old.
Anyone who’s listened to rock music since the late ’60s has no doubt heard Lord’s organ playing, which was an integral part of such huge Deep Purple hits as “Smoke on the Water”, “Highway Star”, and “Space Truckin'”.
Lord is best known for trading speedy licks with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, as well as for his own extended solos on classic Purple tracks like “Child in Time” and “Lazy”. He was a member of the band from 1968 to 2002.
The classically trained Lord is also noted for for his orchestral work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra, with whom he recorded in 1969 and 1999, respectively.
Heaven’s house band just found itself one helluva keys player.