Top of feature

Your testimonials
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12

Testimonials - page 6

Robert B Brown, UK:
I have many great memories of Jon, especially at the old Apollo Theatre in Glasgow. From the heady days of the Burn tour, through the penultimate Mark 4 gig. The fantastic early shows with David and Whitesnake. Along with DC's voice, Jon was the difference between them and every other band. The reformation of Mark 2, Knebworth and the inevitable downwards spiral with Ritchie. The subsequent rejuvenation and re-affirmation of a vibrant band with Steve Morse. Jon was always the constant: A consumate musician, always retaining his identity and his dignity in a band full of egos. I'm just sorry DP had to cancel their gig in February as it meant Glasgow couldn't say farewell properly. To quote Jon himself from Melody Maker, October 1971 and included on the cover of Who Do We Think We are: "I think the sound of Deep Purple has got a hell of a lot to do with my organ". Thanks, Jon.

Bob Mayo, Boston, MA, USA:
The time will come when all of our heroes will make the decision to step away from their 'legend'... Some we'd like to hang on to for all eternity, as they've been a constant in our lives for decades. Others we may feel have hung on too long and perhaps should gracefully bow out, lest they tarnish their legacy. Jon Lord has made his decision and I will miss him greatly. Not as a person, but as a body of work, not as a musician, but as his music. That's the only real insight I've ever been given to his true nature, to the real person. And his musical legacy is the 'person' I feel like I've known intimately for 25 years. His work has enriched my life immensely; and though I've never met the man I feel I've known him anyway. I sincerely wish him all the best and thank him for the gifts he's given me.
Favorite Lord Musical Moment: The mid section in Rat Bat Blue. Picking up the slack after Ritchie's lack of input, Jon arranges and performs what is not only the highlight of the WDWTWA album, but one of the great moments in Mark 2 history. Dazzling, dynamic, and dangerous, it was over a decade before I realized there was no guitar solo in this song. When Ritchie Blackmore is the absent soloist, and you don't even notice... That says a lot, in my book.

N. Daingerd, Vancouver BC, Canada:
Thank you Jon: For years of wonderful entertainment. For keeping my imagination and my dreams alive all this time, even as the family man and father that I am today. In advance, for the years of enjoyment to come from your future work. You have changed and added class to rock'n'roll - even if rock'n'roll doesn't always acknowledge you as it knows it should. Please note that in your wonderfully unique way - your departure leaves your lifelong co-worker Ian Paice in a very unique position. In a world where drummers are the first to go - he will be the only drummer/founder to hold the fort as the constant member of a rock group for 34 years. Thank you again. I hope you are as proud of yourself and your work as your fans are.

Boomer:
As I sit here at my computer, I am deeply saddened. I have just read that Mr. Lord is leaving and suddenly purple seems blue. Fare thee well from a friend.

Arnd Roessler, Germany:
Mr.Lord, thank you for the wonderful time. My best wishes for your future.

Koos Vendel, Holland:
Thanks Jon for everything. When I think of you, I listen to the solo of High Ball Shooter from Stormbringer. It's a nice long solo with everything. It gives me a good feeling.

Teddy Lindgren, Sweden:
IŽll miss Jon an awful lot, though Don is probably the best filler of his shoes. Today IŽll be listening to my favourite solos, the ones from Rat Bat Blue and Burn, (very Bach). Still one of the best records I have ever heard is Sarabande and I hope Jon will give us much more like this.

Jimmy Whitefield, Sweden:
It was the sound of Jon's Hammond that got me into Deep Purple and into playing keyboards myself. The first record I heard with Deep Purple was Made In Japan and Jon's solo in Highway Star completely blew me away. I have never heard anyone play anything like that. Everyone who plays the Hammond must know that part of that song.

Andy Spiller, UK:
Remember the good times. I read the news this morning, it almost feels like losing a relative - but of course, Jon Lord is still with us. I suppose that it is the band that has suffered the bereavement, not just individuals. How can you sum up the input that Jon has given to Purple over the years? Probably impossible to quantify, except to ask the question - would Purple still be around had they had a different keyboard player? I hope the band will take up Jon's offer of playing on the next album. Jon was the guy that brought a bit of fun into the music by sliding different bits and pieces into the middle of his solos, and you never knew what was coming up next. Above all else he appeared to be having fun. Good luck to him, and thanks for the 32 years of musical pleasure he has given me.

Matt Boyle, UK:
Having been a Purple fan since 1968 I was shocked to learn of Jon's departure from the band. Even more as the Glasgow concert was cancelled, and this could have been an opportunity to say farewell. Enough of my moaning. I would like to wish Jon and his family every happiness and health for the future. I also hope the band carries on, and maybe Jon will get bored with his new life of leisure and maybe return. All the best Mr Lord.

Chad P Robertson", Rochester, NY, USA:
The first time I saw Jon Lord was on August 20, 1985 at the Rochester War Memorial in Rochester, NY. I was 14 and this was my first Deep Purple show. When it came time for Jon's solo, he began rocking his Hammond back and forth in what looked to be a tiraid. I thought for sure he was going to lose it and knock it over. He didn't. He finished his solo and the crowd erupted with screams and cheers. I have not seen anything like it since. Jon, thank you for the memory. Best Wishes.

Moe Cullity, Toronto, Canada:
Jon Lord: He will be missed. I have been a fan of Purple for the past 20 years, and, to my mind, Jon Lord has always been the soul of the band. From his playing in Hush and Highway Star to Burn, Under The Gun and Cascades - topping everything off at the Royal Albert Hall performance with the Concerto. You could tell he is the king of rock and roll piano/organ/keyboard playing. In my opinion, his lineup of Whitesnake was clearly the most likeable. When Purple reformed in 1984, Ritchie Blackmore was mentioning to him that he could not find an organist with a sound he was happy with in Rainbow. He asked Jon how he did it. Jon replied, "Well, first you have to be me." When he was interviewed, one got an immediate sense of a genuine gentleman who never said anything bad about anyone. Why did he leave? You could clearly tell he was having a ball with Steve Morse in the band. My guess is that he grew tired of the constant touring and decided it was time to do things at his own pace. Jon, your recordings and your Toronto shows were impeccable. Thank you for decades of amazing music.
My favourite solos: Wring That Neck, Chasing Shadows, Fireball, Highway Star, Maybe I'm A Leo, Rat Bat Blue, Burn, Nobody's Home, Dead Or Alive,The Cut Runs Deep, Cascades and Rosa's Cantina.

Magda & Pelle, Sweden:
Why Jon? Why?

Stian Buhagen, Norway:
I have several favourite Jon Lord moments. The majestic moment in the middle section of the song The Battle Rages On and the final part of the same song. Great! And Burn - the keyboard solo.

Gary Smith, Spofford, NH, USA:
I am quite saddened to hear that Jon has left the band. I still find it difficult to believe so much time has passed since the Mk 2 reunion in 1984. Jon Lord's playing in Deep Purple has always added such flair to their music. Of all the shows I have seen Jon play, he always put on a quality performance. It's difficult enough for me that there is no Ritchie, I cannot fathom them without Mr. Lord. I just want to wish Jon all the happiness that is possible and I miss him already.
My favorite Jon Lord moment was February 28, 1985. The band were playing in New Haven, CT in the States. When it came to the long keyboard solo at one point Jon was rocking the organ back and forth. Loads of volume and then he let the keyboard fall over, crashing to the stage floor. Very loud. My friend next to me commented "I don't think you're supposed to do that." Although for the rest of the night Jon had some problems with the Hammond it was a sight that I'll never forget. It also ended up being the best show I ever saw the band play.
Now maybe Ritchie and Jon can do an instrumental project together and give us another glimpse of two wonderful players working together. I guess that is asking a bit much. I look forward to any new work from Jon. Goodbye Mr. Lord and thank you very much for all the happiness you have given me over the years.

Luca Bariffi:
Thank you Jon! You're just the best, I love you. I know we'll never forget...

Mike Whiteley, Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
27 years ago I bought my first record album, Machine Head. Soon after I bought In Rock. This was my introduction to Deep Purple. As with many teenaged guitar players, Blackmore was a huge inspiration to me. However, I quickly noticed that the backbone of the band lay in the Hammond organ, as played by Jon Lord. I grew up in a small Canadian province where there was no chance I'd ever get to see DP perform live. In 1985, I left home for a large city and my chances greatly improved. I finally saw Purple in 1996 on the Purpendicular tour. The bar was named, quite aptly, The Warehouse. With a few good friends, and 3000 total strangers, I heard the familiar roar of Hush. For the next two hours I soaked up every note that came off the stage (I knew most of them by heart). I stood close enough to realize that Jon was indeed the musical director of the group, tossings hand cues and smiles to everyone onstage. My musical highlights of Jon include Lazy, Child In Time, Our Lady, High Ball Shooter, Perfect Strangers, A Time To Kill, and many more. His contributions to Slaves & Masters prevented Blackmore and Turner from making it a Rainbow album. I wish the post-Lord Purple all the best, and hope they return to Toronto this summer. But gentlemen, a new studio album is a must, we've all grown weary of live product and the seemingly endless repackaged compilations. In closing, I thank you Jon for your music. It never ceases to bring me great joy.

Caldeep Singh, New Zealand:
It is sad to see Jon retire but life moves on. Good luck, Jon.

Thierry Pierron, France:
It's a sad day for me, Deep Purple without Lord - I can't imagine this.

Photo by Wolf Schneider

More testimonials