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Deep Purple Keyboardist Jon Lord Dead at 71

Deep Purple keyboard player and founding member Jon Lord died earlier today, July 16, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71.

Lord helped found legendary hard rock group Deep Purple in the late 60s, going on to co-write many of the bands best-known songs including “Smoke On The Water” and helping to define their sound with his distinctive playing style.

A statement posted on Lord’s official website ends, “Jon passes from Darkness to Light.”

As we reflect on this sad news, here’s 10 of our favorite Deep Purple tracks to help us remember the great Jon Lord.