Growing up, Deep Purple was one of the first real Heavy Metal groups I ever listened to and bought albums (along with Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath). Reports are that Jon Lord, co-founder and keyboardist, has passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 71.
Deep Purple was truly revolutionary in creating that British metal sound, influencing so many bands with the use of singer, bassist, drums, 1 guitarist, and 1 keyboardist, featuring lots with keyboards, rather than just background. Here’s to you, John: crank it up! (music starts about 1:41)
