Deep Purple's Jon Lord Passes

JON LORD, 71, of Deep Purple, one of rock's premier organists, died of a pulmonary embolism after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lord, who was known for his dexterity, dynamic phrasing and heavy, biting Hammond B-3 tone, joined the band in 1968 as one of its original members. He was a co-writer of the band’s signature tune, "Smoke on the Water." When Deep Purple reunited in 1984, Lord played organ, and remained until his retirement from the band in 2002, when he was replaced, amicably, by Don Airey. The classically trained Lord was also interested in jazz, blues and avant-garde music. His Concerto for Group and Orchestra, which had its debut performance in 1969 at the Royal Albert Hall, paired Deep Purple with London's Royal Philharmonic, one of the first attempts to harness the grandeur of classical music to the drive of rock. Lord also proved himself a master of the electric harpsichord; his sound on Deep Purple's "Space Truckin'" was frequently copied. Lord appeared on 16 Deep Purple studio albums, and also lent his talents to sets by Whitesnake, David Gilmour, Cozy Powell, Nazareth and others. (7/16p)