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Testimonials - page 8

Geof Baddock, UK:
Having been a Purple fan since I was first introduced to them 24 years ago by my older brother at the tender age of 12, I have been a fan of the great man ever since. I've followed his career closely, seen him in concert with both Whitesnake and Purple on a number of occasions, and have a large number of albums that he both plays on and has written. Most importantly he was the inspiration for me first learning the organ. I now play regularly at church and in a local rock band. There isn't a week goes by without my listening to something which has him playing on it. Throughout his career he has been an inspirational musician, a gentleman and one of rock's great performers. I can't imagine Purple without him (but then I also thought this when Ritchie left). Hopefully, this marks change of direction, not an end to an incredible career. Best wishes to Jon. To quote a well known vocalist, we wish you well.

Ed P.:
Jon Lord = Hammond. The Child In Time intro changed the format of rock music.

T. Dixon:
Jon has been an inspiration to the music that is Deep Purple. Each song - whether credited or not in the latter RB days - benefitted from his unique talent. The Hammond sound that underpinned the music came from the soul of a man with vision, emotion and skill second to no one. I remember the days of musician polls, where 'battles' between Jon and Keith Emerson et al raged. Jon never said a word - we all knew who gave us the satisfaction that mattered. Sometimes full of flair, sometimes so subtle that you had to listen hard to realise he was playing. His live appearances were just as sublime, and humour was also at the top of his list. Anyone lucky enough to be at the Tony Ashton Memorial this year will attest to this. His solo projects gave us the extra dimension that is always close to the surface in Jon's playing. Of all of these Pictured Within stands out as an achievement unrivalled. At least we can take consolation that we may hear such beauty more often if Jon is going to hang up his touring wardrobe (black trousers and t-shirt every time). I wish you all the very best, Jon. Thank you for over thirty years of pure joy - every new album was and remains a trip through a kaleidoscope of music. Above all, enjoy yourself and pass this onto us with as many releases as you can manage. An end of an era and the beginning of a new one, a new stage in the story of the greatest band to grace any and every stage they appear on.

Nijam, Singapore:
Life without Jon Lord would never be the same again. I'm too sad and confused. But mix and match is part of Deep Purple any way. I hope it will be a short departure. Jon, please come back in force with Deep Purple. One in a million fans from Singapore.

Harrie Hendriksen, Holland:
It feels strange to write down my memories of Jon Lord in Purple. It makes the departure seem final and although I'm sure there's more music to come in the future, the fact that it won't be with Purple makes me sad. The first time I heard you was on the intro to Child In Time. It must have been on the radio where that song always ended in the Top 3 in a Top 100 of All Time Greatest songs. That intro blew me away at the age of 13. I didn't know who or what Purple was, but I sure liked that song. My second encounter was when I got the WDWTWA LP from a nephew. I remember listning to the piano piece in Woman From Tokyo, thinking "I like this, but is it hard rock?" Next I started to explore the full Deep Purple catalog, and every album had that unbelievable Hammond sound, which made me love the band more and more each time I heard something new. I hunted down the side projects and heard Jon's work in Whitesnake. It was more in the background, but what was there was still wonderful. Then the solo work. First Windows, then Sarabande and Before I Forget. On that last album is a song called Lady, sung beautifully by Miss Vicky Brown. At that certain time in our lives it brought tears to the eyes of me and my wife. It has been 'our special song' since that day. A friend of mine, who I turned onto Purple has a similar feeling with Pictured Within. So I became a fan, whatever that word means, but Mr Lord was far away. A celebrity. I would never meet a man like that. I started to roam the alt.music.deep-purple newsgroup, and that was the place where I first met the Lord. I saw him respond here and there. "Wow this guy talks with us," I thought. And the first time he responded to me, it was a wee tap on the fingers. I was discussing the fact whether or not the stabbing incident of the late and sadly missed George Harrison should be discussed on the newsgroup. Your comments and a few more years made me a wiser man, Mr. Lord. Later on I received a few mails on my personal address. They were highly appreciated, and made me stop feeling like you were the star and I was the fan, but more like we were one big family. Finally a few years back I had the chance to finally meet Jon backstage at the Rotterdam Concerto show. We were able to shake hands, chat a little and I got Jon's autograph. That night will be remembered by me forever. So no goodbye's, as I'm sure we will hear loads of amazing music yet to come. But a big thank you for accompanying me for the last 20 years of my life on a wonderful journey through the music of Deep Purple, and for making me part of that big DP family. All the best, and please don't make us wait too long for that new piece of music.

Gerard Alberts, Holland:
Dear Jon, your music means a lot to me. Especially Pictured Within - I have no words for how deeply that album touched me. Now your days in Deep Purple are over, I hope you will continue to make such beautiful light classic music. I am not really sad about you leaving the band because I think you will be making much more music in the future, and you have all my trust and best wishes.

M. Ferit Karsli, Turkey:
Dear Lord, I would like to specially thank you for showing everybody what by Deep Purple means. Best regards.

Jone B. Bringeland, Stavanger, Norway:
By slightly changing them, I will make Jon's words from Come Hell Or High Water mine: If it is possible to be sad and curious at the same time, then that's how I feel. I sincerely wish Jon all the best, I will always hear his Hammond in my head. Goodbye, and good luck, Jon.

Tina Holen, Berlin, Germany:
I will never forget the quiet and devoted atmosphere at Purple's concert in Berlin 2000. At the end of the concert Jon returned onstage with a glass of red wine in his hand and tears in his eyes. He bowed in front of the standing applauding audience. I will never forget this moment. Jon is such a dignified person. I thank you so much for these wonderful years, Jon.

Roberto Principe, Milano, Italy:
Thank you for creating Deep Purple when I was just two years old - now my daughter, who is six years old, sings Highway Star with me. Thank you for every emotion Purple has given to me.

Jildou Slofstra, Holland:
I'm only 20, but a major fan of Purple. Lord, you're a genius, I really enjoyed your Concerto (addicted), and I 'll miss you. All the best in the years to come. Hugs and kisses.

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