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Music stars pay tribute to Jon Lord

Tributes have been paid to musician Jon Lord, who founded Deep Purple and co-wrote their most famous song, Smoke On The Water.

The Leicester-born keyboard player, who had pancreatic cancer, died in London yesterday (Monday) aged 71.

Rocker Bryan Adams paid tribute online. He wrote: "RIP Jon Lord - incredible organist for Deep Purple, one of my fave bands growing up."

Friend and fellow keyboard player Rick Wakeman said: "I was first made aware of Jon with Shades Of Deep Purple in the mid 1960s and I was a great fan. We became great friends and wrote stuff for (regular fundraising event) Sunflower Jam. And we were going to write and record an album before he become ill.

"His contribution to music and to classic rock was immeasurable and I will miss him terribly."

Veteran DJ Bob Harris said Lord was "a gentleman" and Jamie Cullum said he was "a hero of the keys".

Actor Ewan McGregor tweeted: "Jon played with my great friend Tony Ashton. They'll be jamming upstairs now!"

A statement on Lord's website said he has passed "from Darkness to Light" and was "surrounded by his loving family" when he died.

Last year Lord told fans he was "fighting cancer" but would continue to make music as "part of the therapy".

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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