Slash, Metallica's Lars Ulrich Pay Tribute to Late Deep Purple Keyboardist Jon Lord

Slash, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich Pay Tribute to Late Deep Purple Keyboardist Jon Lord

2012-07-17

Story by Anne Erickson

Rock and metal heavyweights offer their condolences to late Deep Purple founder

Original Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord passed on Monday (July 16) at age 71, and the death has brought a flood of comments and support from famous rockers offering their condolences to Lord’s family and friends.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich had this to say about Lord’s passing: “I’m beyond bummed, saddened and devastated by [the] news of the untimely passing of keyboardist Jon Lord…There was nobody that played like him. There was nobody that sounded like him. There was nobody that wrote like him. There was nobody that looked like him. There was nobody more articulate, gentlemanly, warm, or … cooler that ever played keyboards or got anywhere near a keyboard.”

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash echoed Ulrich’s sadness: “Sad day in Rock & Roll; Jon Lord has passed on. One of the biggest, baddest, heaviest sounds in Heavy Metal. One [of] a kind. RIP.” Another Guns N’ Roses name, former drummer Matt Sorum, added his sentiments regarding Lord: “Rip Jon Lord of Deep Purple The greatest rock keyboardist ever.”

The members of Deep Purple have also issued an official statement regarding the loss of their founding member, who died as a result of a pulmonary embolism after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. “We have lost a dear friend, a brother and a wonderful musician,” reads the message. “His dignity and graciousness touched us all. His music was an inspiration and took us to places beyond our imagination…A truly great man.” The staff of Audio Ink Radio send our thoughts and prayers to Lord’s family and friends during this difficult time.

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.