Deep Purple's Jon Lord dies aged 71

[Arch Stanton]

Deep Purple's Jon Lord dies aged 71

Jon Lord of Deep Purple has died at the age of 71.

The co-founder and keyboard player with the metal pioneers passed away today (July 16) after suffering a pulmonary embolism. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer and was surrounded by his family at the London Clinic.

Lord founded Deep Purple in 1968, and along with drummer Ian Pace was a constant in the band during their existence from 1968 to 1970. Her co-wrote many of the band's songs, including the seminal 'Smoke On The Water' and was responsible for the legendary organ riff on 'Child Of Our Time'.

Read more:http://www.nme.com/news/deep-purple/64953

A sad day. RIP Jon Lord.

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Sucks! Highway Star is one of the coolest songs of all time. I'm a big Purple fan and he'll be missed. A lot of the band members still jam with Gov't Mule...hopefully we'll still get to see them there.

[Lodeus]

Sad news. Greatest rock keyboardist if all time. RIP.

[03EBZ06]

Man, I was just a huge Deep Purple fan during HS days. RIP Mr Lord!

Lazy was my favorite song by them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uflsjU95lRM

[arglebargle]

Sad to hear.

Saw them once at a great show in San Antonio. Great setting. Sigh, gotta go spin some Machine Head....

[Arch Stanton]

From one of the greatest albums of all time.....

...not the MiJ version but still good...

[Lodeus]

He is up there with guys like Page when it comes to the keyboard.