Jon Lord, the former keyboard player with heavy rock band
Deep Purple, has died aged 71.
Lord co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and co-wrote many of the group's songs
including Smoke On The Water. He also played with bands including
Whitesnake.
He had been receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer since last August.


He died at the London Clinic on Monday, surrounded by family, a statement
said. "Jon passes from Darkness to Light," it added.
Lord was influenced by classical, blues and jazz but played his Hammond organ
with a rock attitude and helped Deep Purple become pioneers of progressive and
heavy rock.
Tributes have been paid by musicians including one-time Deep Purple bandmate
Joe Satriani, Iron Maiden and Anthrax.
Ex-Rage Against the Machine star Tom Morello wrote on Twitter: "RIP the great
Jon Lord, Deep Purple's cornerstone/keyboardist. So many great great songs and
that incredible SOUND of his! Thankyou."
Former Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman was a friend and said he was "a great
fan".
Lord's Concerto for Group and
Orchestra was performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969
"We were going to write and record an album before he become ill," he said.
"His contribution to music and to classic rock was immeasurable and I will miss
him terribly."
Born in Leicester, Lord learned classical piano at an early age before being
seduced by watching early rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis and jazz organist Jimmy Smith.