Former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord passed away July 16 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Darker Than Blue reports Lord's funeral service was held on July 31 at St. Mary's Church in Hambleden, England, and was attended by family and close friends.
A memorial service is planned for later in the year in London.
With Purple, Lord 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.
Deep Purple
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