Ex-MEGADETH guitarist Glen Drover has issued the following message via BW&BK in the wake of Lord's passing:
"It's an absolute horrible day in music. I just found out that Jon Lord passed today, and I'm truly depressed about it. John was and always will be the best keyboard player ever! His style influenced me a ton even though I'm a guitar player. His phrasing and ability to ad-lib as well as he did was just incredible. Listen to any recording he ever did, and notice how flawless he was, every single time.
Play one of our favourite Deep Purple albums in memory of John Lord today. R.I.P. John."
Glen Drover
A message at Lord's website states:
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jon Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism today, Monday, July 16th at the London Clinic, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jon was surrounded by his loving family.
Jon Lord, the legendary keyboard player with Deep Purple co-wrote many of the bands legendary songs including 'Smoke On The Water' and played with many bands and musicians throughout his career.
Best known for his Orchestral work Concerto For Group & Orchestra first performed at Royal Albert Hall with Deep Purple and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969 and conducted by the renowned Malcolm Arnold, a feat repeated in 1999 when it was again performed at the Royal Albert Hall by the London Symphony Orchestra and Deep Purple.
Jon’s solo work was universally acclaimed when he eventually retired from Deep Purple in 2002.
Jon passes from Darkness to Light.
Jon Lord - June 9, 1941 – July 16, 2012.
