Kerrang! are saddened to learn that former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord has passed away in a London hospital.
Lord, who was 71 years of age, suffered a blood clot on the lung and died earlier today (July 16) following a battle with pancreatic cancer. According to an official statement, he was surrounded by his family at the time.
He was a founding member of Deep Purple and co-wrote their classic 1973 single Smoke On The Water. He retired from the band in 2002 in order to concentrate on a solo career.
We send our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.