Jon Lord

JON LORD d2012. English composer, pianist and Hammond Organ player known for his pioneering work in fusing rock with classical or baroque forms, especially with Deep Purple as well as Whitesnake / The Artwoods and the Flowerpot Men. In 1968 he co-founded Deep Purple, a hard rock band of which he was regarded as the leader until 1970. Together with the other members, he collaborated on most of his band's most popular songs. He and drummer Ian Paice were the only continuous presence in the band during the period from 1968 to 1976 and also from when it was reestablished in 1984 (until his retirement from Deep Purple in 2002). He died aged 71 in 2012.