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Jon Lord

(June 9, 1941-July 16, 2012)

Keyboards have often had a rocky status in rock and particularly heavy metal, but if there’s anybody who knew how to make not only work but excel, it was none other than Jon Lord. Composer, pianist, organist, and orchestral arranger, Lord was no small part of what made Deep Purple so special and so impactful for years to come.

Born and raised in Leicester as the son of an amateur saxophonist, Lord took up lessons in classical piano at age:5 under the tutelage of Frederick Allt. All while studying the great composers such as Bach, Lord soaked in several sources such as Medieval popular music, in addition to the likes of jazz, blues, and rock and roll. It was particularly through the latter influences that he would end up taking up the Hammond B3, that mighty beast of an instrument that has enriched many bands and left many roadies with hernia.

Though initially moving to London to study dramatic acting, he would continue playing all the clubs and sessions to make a living. He’d begin his career with jazz ensemble The Bill Ashton Combo before moving onto The Artwoods with Keef Hartley and Art Wood, Santa Barbara Machine Head with Art’s brother and future Stone Ronnie, and then touring with The Flower Pot Men, where he would meet bassist Nick Simper. Not long after, he’d get an offer from the Searchers’ Chris Curtis and Tony Edwards about joining a group called Roundabout, meant to be a revolving door of musicians. That may have been a bit of foreshadowing. Curtis started having issues, but Edwards liked Lord and the band proceeded; as the lineup gradually built to consist of Lord, Simper, Ritchie Blackmore, Rod Evans, and Ian Paice, “Roundabout” gradually evolved into what we now know as Deep Purple and the rest is history.

Deep Purple went through many reinventions and revamps throughout its existence, but Jon was an ever reliable presence. From psychedelia to baroque, hard rock to proto-metal, prog to symphonic, even the occasional dash of pop, soul, and funk, Jon did so much to take what could have potentially been a very formulaic and conventical band and instead allow it to become such a creative, versatile, and vital outfit, one that could survive the loss of a key player repeatedly. And of course, he made that Hammond ROCK. Funny what a Marshall can do, ya know? Anybody who says keyboards are wimpy, point them to Jon Lord and then smack 'em. Even beyond the Hammond, he could be just as capable on piano, the Fender Rhodes, snythesizers, and clavinet.

As he ruled the world with Deep Purple, he would continue pursuing composing orchestral records. His and Deep Purple's Concerto for Group and Orchestra would become one of the very first meetings of a rock band with an orchestra, and it has rarely been done as well since. Jon would also serve a stint with former DP singer David Coverdale's band Whitesnake as well as collaborating with artists such as George Harrison, David Gilmour, Nazareth, Cozy Powell, and Rick Wakeman. All while scoring television programs and films such as Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady, The Last Rebel, and White Fire.

Simply put, Jon Lord left an indelible mark that can never be duplicated. Happy birthday to Jon Lord, may he rest in peace.

Description

Jon Lord

(June 9, 1941-July 16, 2012)

Keyboards have often had a rocky status in rock and particularly heavy metal, but if there’s anybody who knew how to make not only work but excel, it was none other than Jon Lord. Composer, pianist, organist, and orchestral arranger, Lord was no small part of what made Deep Purple so special and so impactful for years to come.

Born and raised in Leicester as the son of an amateur saxophonist, Lord took up lessons in classical piano at age:5 under the tutelage of Frederick Allt. All while studying the great composers such as Bach, Lord soaked in several sources such as Medieval popular music, in addition to the likes of jazz, blues, and rock and roll. It was particularly through the latter influences that he would end up taking up the Hammond B3, that mighty beast of an instrument that has enriched many bands and left many roadies with hernia.

Though initially moving to London to study dramatic acting, he would continue playing all the clubs and sessions to make a living. He’d begin his career with jazz ensemble The Bill Ashton Combo before moving onto The Artwoods with Keef Hartley and Art Wood, Santa Barbara Machine Head with Art’s brother and future Stone Ronnie, and then touring with The Flower Pot Men, where he would meet bassist Nick Simper. Not long after, he’d get an offer from the Searchers’ Chris Curtis and Tony Edwards about joining a group called Roundabout, meant to be a revolving door of musicians. That may have been a bit of foreshadowing. Curtis started having issues, but Edwards liked Lord and the band proceeded; as the lineup gradually built to consist of Lord, Simper, Ritchie Blackmore, Rod Evans, and Ian Paice, “Roundabout” gradually evolved into what we now know as Deep Purple and the rest is history.

Deep Purple went through many reinventions and revamps throughout its existence, but Jon was an ever reliable presence. From psychedelia to baroque, hard rock to proto-metal, prog to symphonic, even the occasional dash of pop, soul, and funk, Jon did so much to take what could have potentially been a very formulaic and conventical band and instead allow it to become such a creative, versatile, and vital outfit, one that could survive the loss of a key player repeatedly. And of course, he made that Hammond ROCK. Funny what a Marshall can do, ya know? Anybody who says keyboards are wimpy, point them to Jon Lord and then smack 'em. Even beyond the Hammond, he could be just as capable on piano, the Fender Rhodes, snythesizers, and clavinet.

As he ruled the world with Deep Purple, he would continue pursuing composing orchestral records. His and Deep Purple's Concerto for Group and Orchestra would become one of the very first meetings of a rock band with an orchestra, and it has rarely been done as well since. Jon would also serve a stint with former DP singer David Coverdale's band Whitesnake as well as collaborating with artists such as George Harrison, David Gilmour, Nazareth, Cozy Powell, and Rick Wakeman. All while scoring television programs and films such as Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady, The Last Rebel, and White Fire.

Simply put, Jon Lord left an indelible mark that can never be duplicated. Happy birthday to Jon Lord, may he rest in peace.