Deep Purple's Jon Lord passes away in London

Jon Lord, British rocker, composer, former keyboardist for the band 'Deep Purple', died on Monday, July 16 at the London Clinic. He was 71 years old.

According to a statement released on Lord's official website, the England-born musician and composer suffered a severe pulmonary embolism in London on Monday and died after a long drawn battle with pancreatic cancer. The statement also said that Jon Lord died "surrounded by his loving family".

Jon Lord, who co-wrote few of Deep Purple's all time popular tunes, including 'Smoke on the Water', went on to have a very successful career after he split from the band in the year 2002.

Jon Lord was born in Leicester on 9 June 1941 to his parents Miriam (1912-1995, née Hudson) and Reg. He began studying classical piano since the age of five, and those influences are a recurring trademark in his work.

The music composer is survived by his two daughters (Amy with second wife Vickie and Sara with his first wife Judith Feldman).