JON LORD 1941-2012 R.I.P

Both Corinna and I tried to write obituaries for Jon Lord last night. He was probably my favourite prog musician, and responsible for a large chunk of the soundtrack to Corinna's and my lives, together and separately. But neither of us could do him justice. So We asked the people most qualified to do so; his fellow musicians; two who knew him and one who was influenced by him.

RICK WAKEMAN

I first became aware of Jon Lord in the mid-sixties when Hush was released and I bought the album Shades of Deep Purple which was an album way ahead of its time. For obvious reasons I paid special attention to the organ style and sound as it was quite different from how other Hammond players were using the instrument. I became a genuine admirer and fan of Jon that day and remained so with everything he did

We became real friends just a few years ago although we had met on numerous occasions prior to that. We did talks together at music conservatories, we met for lunch and most importantly made music together. We wrote a piece 12 months ago for the Sunflower Jam at the Royal Albert Hall. We wrote this piece together at John Henry's rehearsal studios in London and it was so easy because we had such different styles and because Jon was concentrating heavily on the Hammond and I on synthesizers, the blend was quite magical. The piece was performed just the once and I am told was filmed. although I have never seen the footage.

We sat in the dressing room which we shared at the Royal Albert Hall and made plans to do an album together. We were both utterly convinced that we could come up with something very special as our styles blended so well together. Our love of classical music and also working that style within that of rock music also completed the bond . We arranged to meet up later that month

One week before we were due to meet Jon called me with the news he was ill. He was very positive and actually said he'd never felt better in his life and so he would beat it however long it took and so to bear with our project which went on hold.

We spoke a couple of times after that and the last message I got was that he was responding well to his treatment. The news today has hurt me like no other loss of a musician I have known. I can only thank him for the legacy he has left us all with his great music, great vision and for his kindness as he was one of the most gentle and kind persons I have ever had the pleasure of being able to call my friend. My heart goes out to Vicki his wife and all his family.

MICHAEL DES BARRES

Very saddened by the passing of the brilliant Jon Lord. In the early '70s Silverhead were signed to his label. We toured the world with Deep Purple. He was a gentle man indeed. He synthesised classicism with hard rock in an elegant and powerful way. I had, and have, the deepest respect for him, his music and his generosity.

Concertos in another dimension from a true innovator tonight.

ERIK NORLANDER

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest rock keyboardists of all-time. R.I.P. Jon Lord. There are very few people that I would consider landmark influences on me and that paved the wave for what I do now. Jon was one of them. As a keyboardist, how many times have I heard (and used) the expression, "that Jon Lord sound." Let's raise a glass to this legendary artist, his sonic legacy and all the wonderful music he leaves behind with us! With reverence, Erik "

ROB AYLING

"Jon Lords keyboard playing was the backbone of the Deep Purple sound. As innovative as Blackmore's riffs, Lord's style, sound and much emulated but never superceded. Jon will be sadly missed.