Deep Purple’s Jon Lord dies

Jon Lord, former keyboard player with British rock band Deep Purple, has died aged 71.

He passed away on Monday, at a hospital in London, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Lord co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and co-wrote many of their legendary songs, including ‘Smoke on the Water.’

He went on to play with a string of other rock bands and musicians during his career, including Whitesnake. A message on Lord’s official website said he died “surrounded by his loving family.”

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