EARLY LIFE:
Jon Lord was born in Leicester on 9 June 1941 to Miriam (1912–1995, née
Hudson) and Reg. He studied classical piano from the age of five, and
those influences are a recurring trademark in his work. His influences
range from Bach (a constant connection in his music and his keyboard improvisation) to Medieval popular music and the English tradition of Edward Elgar. He attended Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys where he gained an A-level in music and then worked as a clerk in a solicitor's office for two years.He started his London band career in 1960 with jazz ensemble the Bill Ashton Combo. Ashton, now an MBE, became a key figure in jazz education in the UK, creating what later became the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Between 1960 and 1963, Lord (along with Ashton) moved onto Red Bludd's
Bluesicians (also known as The Don Wilson's Quartet), the latter of
which featured singer Arthur "Art" Wood. Wood had previously sung with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and was a junior figure in the British blues movement. In this period, Lord's session credits included playing keyboards on You Really Got Me (The Kinks 1964 classic)
In early 1967, through his roommate Chris Curtis of The Searchers, Lord met businessman Tony Edwards who was looking to invest in the music business. Ritchie Blackmore was called in and met Lord for the first time. But Chris Curtis' erratic behavior led the trio nowhere. Edwards was impressed enough by Jon Lord to ask him to form a band after Curtis faded out. Simper was contacted, and Blackmore recalled from Hamburg. Top English drummer Bobby Woodman was the initial choice for the drums, but during the auditions for a singer, Rod Evans of the Maze came in with his drummer, Ian Paice. Blackmore, who had been impressed by Paice's drumming when he'd met him in 1967, quickly ensured an audition for Paice as well. The band was initially called Roundabout, which by March 1968 had morphed into the "Mark 1" lineup of Deep Purple: Lord, Simper, Blackmore, Paice and Evans.
Lord also helped form Boz, which did some recordings produced by Derek Lawrence, featuring Boz Burrell (later of Bad Company), session guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice, and bassist Chas Hodges (later of 'Cockney' pop group Chas & Dave).
English rocker Jon Lord, who founded Deep Purple and co-wrote their most famous song, Smoke On The Water, has died aged 71.
The Leicester-born keyboard player, who had pancreatic cancer, died in London today.
A statement on his website said he had passed “from Darkness to Light”.
The statement said Lord was “surrounded by his loving family” when he died
In early 1967, through his roommate Chris Curtis of The Searchers, Lord met businessman Tony Edwards who was looking to invest in the music business. Ritchie Blackmore was called in and met Lord for the first time. But Chris Curtis' erratic behavior led the trio nowhere. Edwards was impressed enough by Jon Lord to ask him to form a band after Curtis faded out. Simper was contacted, and Blackmore recalled from Hamburg. Top English drummer Bobby Woodman was the initial choice for the drums, but during the auditions for a singer, Rod Evans of the Maze came in with his drummer, Ian Paice. Blackmore, who had been impressed by Paice's drumming when he'd met him in 1967, quickly ensured an audition for Paice as well. The band was initially called Roundabout, which by March 1968 had morphed into the "Mark 1" lineup of Deep Purple: Lord, Simper, Blackmore, Paice and Evans.
Lord also helped form Boz, which did some recordings produced by Derek Lawrence, featuring Boz Burrell (later of Bad Company), session guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice, and bassist Chas Hodges (later of 'Cockney' pop group Chas & Dave).
PERSONAL LIFE:
Jon Lord was married to Vickie Lord, the twin sister of Ian Paice's
wife, Jackie. The twin girls were the daughters of Frank Gibbs, owner of
the Oakley House Country Club, Brewood, Staffs. They both live in the
United Kingdom. He had two daughters, Amy, with Vickie, and Sara, with
his first wife Judith Feldman, to whom he was married from 1969 until
they divorced in 1981
DEATH:
The Leicester-born keyboard player, who had pancreatic cancer, died in London today.
A statement on his website said he had passed “from Darkness to Light”.
The statement said Lord was “surrounded by his loving family” when he died
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jon Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism today, Monday 16th July at the London Clinic, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jon was surrounded by his loving family.
" Jon passes from Darkness to Light"
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