CONCERTO FOR JON

CHRIS WELCH - WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF RICK WAKEMAN - REMEMBERS DEEP PURPLE’S RECENTLY DEPARTED LORD AND MAESTRO

Jon Lord was a hero to a generation of Deep Purple fans and a true gentleman, much loved and revered by his fellow musicians. Alongside Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson, Lord was one of the great keyboard virtuosos of the golden age of progressive rock.

His death at the age of 71 at the London Clinic on 16 July was not just a tragedy for his family and friends, it was a great loss to the music world. He clearly had much more to give. During the past year, even while he was fighting the cancer that eventually took his life, he was working on a new studio version of his Concerto For Group And Orchestra.

The concerto was a seminal work that helped launch the concept of rock and classical fusion when it was performed live at the Royal Albert Hall with Deep Purple back in 1969. It was revived again by the group in 1999, and after leaving Purple in 2002, Jon dedicated himself to performing the concerto on tour with a variety of orchestras. He was also excited about a joint album with Rick Wakeman.

Classically trained as child and with early aspirations to be an actor, Jon Lord retained old-world charm, good manners and courtesy amid the rough and tumble of life in the world of heavy rock. His career choices finally led him to success, with Deep Purple and Whitesnake.

In an age when keyboard players rivalled lead guitarists for solo …

by CHRIS WELCH
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