Died On This Date (July 16, 2012) Jon Lord / Deep Purple; Whitesnake
themusicsover Jon Lord
June 9, 1941 – July 16, 2012
Jon Lord was an influential English keyboardist who, as co-founder of Deep Purple, has been recognized for pioneering the use of baroque and classical elements in rock music. Lord was just 5 years old when he began studying classical piano. As he grew older, he started gravitating toward the raw organ sounds coming from American blues artists like Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. After settling in London during the late ’50s, Lord did session work (he can be heard on the Kinks‘ “You Really Got Me”) and played in various jazz and blues groups. In 1968, he and drummer, Ian Paice formed Deep Purple. Lord went on to play in all variations of the group through 2002. With worldwide hits like “Hush,” “Smoke On The Water,” and “Highway Star,” – all prominently featuring Lord’s iconic organ sounds – Deep Purple, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, are considered the flash point of heavy metal. They would go on to sell over 100 million albums are were even recognized as the “Globe’s Loudest Band” by Guinness Book Of World Records. In 1978, Lord joined up with one-time Deep Purple band mate, David Coverdale in his new group, Whitesnake. Although more a hired-gun than a full-time member, Lord’s tenure with Whitesnake lasted until 1984. The collaborators with whom he worked throughout his career seems endless. He also made several albums of his own. During the early months of 2012, Lord was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which ultimately contributed to his death by pulmonary embolism on July 16, 2012. John Lord was 71 when he passed away.
Thanks to Bruce Kilgour at Slipped Disc Entertainment for the assist.
What You Should Own
Scott Columbus is best remembered as a two-time drummer for popular American metal band, Manowar. Formed in 1980, the band eventually built a worldwide following for their raw and heavy sound that has been likened to that of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Hawkwind. Their songs have tended to be aggressive and thematically violent, with the band dawning animal skins in concert to add to their primal image. The band was once recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for putting on the loudest concert, and for performing the longest metal concert which clocked in at just over five hours. Columbus joined the band in 1983 but was forced to leave in 1990 to care for his ill son. He rejoined the group in 1996 and stayed on board until 2008. He made occasional concert appearances with them in recent years. Scott Columbus was 56 when he passed away on April 4, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Mike Starr was the original bassist for Seattle grunge band, Alice In Chains. Morphed from Diamond Lie, a band made up of Starr, Jerry Cantrell, 
Gordon Paterson was a beloved sound engineer who worked the “front of house” at countless shows for some of popular music’s biggest acts. He also worked as a tour manager and production manager for many as well. Throughout his career, Paterson worked tours for the likes of Deep Purple, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Megadeth, A Perfect Circle, Tears For Fears, and Fiona Apple. Gordon “Gungi” Paterson passed away on September 28, 2009 following a three year battle with cancer. More about Gungi can be found at 
With his band, Samson, Paul Samson helped usher in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal of the late ’70s. With contemporaries like Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Girlschool, Samson brought a cleaner, more progressive sound to the metal that originated from the likes of Black Sabbath. Forming the band in 1978, Samson built a steady cult following over it’s six-year existence. At one point, the band was fronted by Bruce Bruce who later changed his name back to Bruce Dickinson and left to join Iron Maiden. Samson’s guitar could also be heard on Ram Jam’s 1977 hit, “Black Betty.” Samson died of cancer while recording a Samson comeback album in 2002.