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Jon Lord - 1941-2012
Jon Lord, Deep Purple keyboard player, classical composer and actor, died at the age of 71. We celebrate his life in a picture gallery, starting from his days as a rockstar to his latest work introducing children into classical music.
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1. Jon Lord with Deep Purple - January 1969
On the roof of London's Dorchester hotel in January 1969. Jon Lord (second from left) and Deep Purple bandmates Ron Evans, Richie Blackmore, Nicky Simper and Ian Paice. As well as being credited as the pioneers of heavy metal and modern rock, Deep Purple defied categorisation by fusing prog rock with classical styles. This particular fusion can in part be credited to Jon Lord himself, who went on to compose the band's ambitious 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra'.
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2. Jon Lord in rehearsal for Deep Purple's 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra'
Jon Lord rehearses for Deep Purple's 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra', which Jon himself composed. It was first performed by Deep Purple and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold on 24 September 1969, and released on vinyl the same year.
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3. Malcolm Arnold conducts Jon Lord
Malcolm Arnold conducts The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra through Deep Purple's 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra', composed by Jon Lord.
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4. Jon Lord and conductor Malcolm Arnold
Composer and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conductor, Malcolm Arnold and Jon Lord talking during the rehearsal for Concerto for Group and Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall , London.
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5. Jon Lord takes to the conductor's podium
The first performance of Lord’s Concerto for Group and Orchestra at Deep Purple’s Royal Albert Hall appearance in September 1969. Lord’s talent for combining classical music with rock continued throughout his career, and even though the original score of his Concerto was lost, the piece was re-performed in 1999 from a recreated score.
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6. Jon Lord on stage in Munich, 2004
Jon Lord sits on stage during the taping of the television show 'Sunday Night Classics' in Munich, Germany, 6 September 2004. Several international artists performed in the show which will be broadcast on 19 September 2004.
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7. Jon Lord at ‘Childline Rocks’ at London’s Indig02
Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Bob Harris, Justin Hawkins of Hot Leg, Esther Rantzen and Jon Lord are photographed ahead of their charity performance at ‘Childline Rocks’ at London’s Indig02.
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8. Jon Lord at Beyond The Notes in Cologne, Germany
Lord plays piano for a test run of his Beyond The Notes concert in Cologne, Germany, in October 2004. A live album was released off the back of the show, featuring performances by Frida, Sam Brown, Miller Anderson and The Trondheim Soloists.
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9. Jon Lord backstage at Munich, Germany
Jon Lord arrives for the taping of the television show 'Sunday Night Classics' in Munich, Germany.
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10. Jon Lord joins the Sydney Symphonic Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House
In 2003 Jon Lord joined Australian band George at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphonic Orchestra for a performance of 'Concerto for Group and Orchestra', as part of the Sydney Festival.
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11. Jon Lord
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12. Jon Lord
Jon Lord performs at the Childline Rocks Concert at the Indigo2, London in 2009
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13. Jon Lord
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14. Jon Lord
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15. Jon Lord with the Henley Festival Orchestra
On becoming an honorary patron of Henley Festival’s Patron’s Club, Lord suggested writing a classical piece for children’s orchestra. He is pictured here with the 70 children from the Henley Festival Orchestra, marking the his first commission for young musicians.
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16. Jon Lord
Jon Lord lost his battle with cancer on Monday 16th July
