Guitarist
Damon Johnson (pictured below;
THIN LIZZY,
ALICE COOPER,
BROTHER CANE) has released the following statement regarding the passing of former
DEEP PURPLE/
WHITESNAKE keyboardist
Jon Lord:
"Love and respect to the legendary
Jon Lord. Condolences to his family. His mark in contemporary music is long and permanent. R.I.P."
Jon Lord died earlier today (Monday, July 16) in a U.K. hospital at the age of 71. He suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism at the London Clinic after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jon was "surrounded by his loving family," a message on his official web site said.
In addition to
DEEP PURPLE,
Lord played in
WHITESNAKE — the band led by ex-
PURPLE singer
David Coverdale — from 1978 to 1984, having appeared on the albums
"Trouble",
"Lovehunter",
"Ready An' Willing",
"Come An' Get It",
"Saints & Sinners" and
"Slide It In".
Jon Lord is survived by his wife
Vickie and two daughters —
Amy and
Sara.
