During his time at Harley Street's London Clinic, he remarked that writing music was a form of 'therapy' during his treatment. Jon Lord is best known for the rock classic Smoke On The Water, which he co-wrote with the rest of the band. Citing all kinds of musical influences, including jazz, blues and classical, he added a new dimension to rock music playing his organ in Deep Purple, the band he co-founded in 1968.
Tributes have been offered by fellow musicians, including one-time Deep Purple bandmate Joe Satriani, the members of Iron Maiden and Anthrax. On Twitter, former Rage Against The Machine member Tom Morello had this to say about Jon Lord:
Jon Lord's musical talent was ignited at a young age, when he learned to play classical piano as a boy in his home town of Leicester. However, he soon got the rock bug after watching acts Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Smith, and at 19 moved to London and performed in bands in the clubs and pubs circuit with Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood and his brother as The Artwoods.
Then, in 1968, he co-founded Deep Purple. The band went on to produce what are still considered staple classic rock albums, including Deep Purple In Rock and Machine Head. The band have sold over 150 million albums since their inception.
Jon Lord continued to play with the band until 2002, but left to compose, and was signed to a classical label while he continued to write music.
He broke the news of his cancer via his website last year. Jon's publicist said that he was surrounded by his family yesterday. Our thoughts go out to them during this upsetting time.
Tributes have been offered by fellow musicians, including one-time Deep Purple bandmate Joe Satriani, the members of Iron Maiden and Anthrax. On Twitter, former Rage Against The Machine member Tom Morello had this to say about Jon Lord:
RIP the great Jon Lord, Deep Purple's cornerstone/keyboardist. So many great great songs and that incredible SOUND of his! Thankyou.
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) July 16, 2012
Jon Lord's musical talent was ignited at a young age, when he learned to play classical piano as a boy in his home town of Leicester. However, he soon got the rock bug after watching acts Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Smith, and at 19 moved to London and performed in bands in the clubs and pubs circuit with Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood and his brother as The Artwoods.
Then, in 1968, he co-founded Deep Purple. The band went on to produce what are still considered staple classic rock albums, including Deep Purple In Rock and Machine Head. The band have sold over 150 million albums since their inception.
Jon Lord continued to play with the band until 2002, but left to compose, and was signed to a classical label while he continued to write music.
He broke the news of his cancer via his website last year. Jon's publicist said that he was surrounded by his family yesterday. Our thoughts go out to them during this upsetting time.
