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Remembering Jon Lord

Royal Albert Hall; Photo © 2008 Paul Collins CC-BY-SA

As I write this, a special event is about to start at the Royal Albert Hall in London — a concert to celebrate life and music of the late Jon Lord.

Probably quite a few of our readers will be attending, and quite probably even more couldn’t make it. The lucky ones, please share your experience.



36 Comments to “Remembering Jon Lord”:

  1. 1
    Heru Wahyudi says:

    Jon lord is my favorite

  2. 2
    Jouko Juntunen says:

    My sister and my brother-in-law are there. Shit. 😉

  3. 3
    Duncan Leask says:

    Wearing my Purple Records (DPAS) T shirt as I write. I’d still rather he was with us, but this should indeed be a very special gig. Doors have just opened.

  4. 4
    Wolfgang Pointner says:

    In spirit i’ll be there! JON LORD R.I. P. We will never forget you&your music ever will be with us!

  5. 5
    Mike Tfirn says:

    My sweet Lord R.I.P.

  6. 6
    Julian Woodward says:

    I am here. 🙂

  7. 7
    Raymond Verster says:

    RIP Jon Lord – King of the Hammond.

  8. 8
    David Hall says:

    I’m here too, what a magnificent setting to celebrate a magnificent man.

  9. 9
    Paulo Roberto says:

    MAIS DO QUE MERECIDO!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. 10
    Carlos Guzman S says:

    La mejor banda d todos los tiempos

  11. 11
    Anthony Oussin says:

    Just listened the Concerto re-issue this afternoon to pay a tribute to our late friend… Having Ritchie Blackmore tonight at the RAH would have been the perfect event and a possibility of a cease fire between the guys and him… Jon would have appreciated that… Mr.Coverdale have the excuse of recovering his knees… Glenn’s there too… Let´s celebrate the memory of a genius…

  12. 12
    Scott W. says:

    I look forward to watching this event when the DVD comes out! I do not have the funds to attend. I hope all who do attend from this site and fellow DPAS members forward their experiences to their respective website forums to share with us unforunates! Someday i will make a ‘Pilgrimage’ overseas to take in some DP ‘Sites” like The Royal Albert Hall, Montreux, Hanwell Community Center, Abbey Road Studio, Deeves Hall Etc. But for now i hope the “Remembering Jon Lord” event at the Royal Albert Hall is a success and i know Jon will be there in spirit. God bless you Jon!!!!

  13. 13
    Mads Rud Larsen says:

    Wanted to be there so much!

  14. 14
    kraatzy says:

    Blackmore there … what a wish .. what a dream come true …

    Maybe what a wonderful surprise this will be … I will not expect it,
    but why not ??

    No – he wouldn´t – there is so many trouble in the air …

    No, only a dream !!

    LLRnR

    kraatzy

  15. 15
    César Granados says:

    Me too.

  16. 16
    Charles Bongiorno says:

    i wish they could put ego,s aside to celebrate. a great musician

  17. 17
    Leon Rodziewicz says:

    I really wanted to be there tonight but just couldn’t afford it. Last time at the RAH was for the 30th anniversary Concerto gig, a very special night indeed which I can thankfully relive anytime (and do so regularly) courtesy of the CD & DVD.

    Have a feeling tonight will be equally special if not more so and look forward to the CD and DVD in due course.

    Your music always was and still is a hug part of my life. God bless you.

  18. 18
    Anders says:

    A sensational night!

    The first half with Jon’s solo work from Sarabande, Pictured within and To notice such things etc. Tears in my eyes for most of that part.

    The second half started with Paul Weller doing tracks from The Artwoods, then a couple of songs from PAL with Paice, Airey & Marsden. The roof almost lifted when Glenn Hughes entered the stage and did You keep on moving and Burn together with Bruce Dickinsson. The Glenn did a marvellous version of This time around.
    Glenn was a tough act to follow, but Purple were superb tonight and finished the night in grand style.

    Truly a night to remember.

    Those of you who weren’t there, get the DVD!

  19. 19
    Mike says:

    Just came out from the concert at RAH, and I must say that it was the absolute best concert that I’ve ever been at. Everybody performed at their best capacity, and Glenn Hughes absolutely stole the show! His singing was not of this world, it was as if there was some kind of divine intervention going on! Stunning night, will always remember this!

  20. 20
    The Highway Star says:

    Duncan Leask, nice to meet you. Did you get the programme? /Rasmus

  21. 21
    James Pickering says:

    Glenn was incredible. Probably the highlight of the whole show.

  22. 22
    byron says:

    Seems everybody was there for Jon.Except RB ansd DC.What a shame.DC was not on tour,can’t understand why he refused to play the RAH.Because Mick Moody was there?
    Burn and You keep on moving with Glenn would have been something..

  23. 23
    Jahn says:

    Anders describes it well, it was truly an amazing evening! Big Ian sang beautiful! But What was he wearing???

  24. 24
    MikeD says:

    Second row seats = what a GIG! Whispering Bob set the scene, Vicky, supported by brotherinlaw Paicy made a very emotional speech at the start, then the first half was Jon’s solo & orchestral work. Second half rocked! Glen was brilliant with Burn and This Time Around. Purple played brilliantly, and the evening ended with all the cast all on stage jamming Hush. No time for SOTW, what a lovely night. Jon’s presence was with us, and he was proud of us all – audience and performers. God bless.

  25. 25
    Wojak says:

    It was a great night. Glenn did indeed steal the show. But strangely no Whitesnake numbers despite 4 band members being there and certain people didn’t materialise for the encore (Glenn for instance). It was great to hear some PAL though ( a highlight for me). A shame we didn’t get the fabled night of all Purple members on stage, this would have been the time. It was still good though.

  26. 26
    Daniel Miller says:

    Last night was a truly momentous event. While walking to the Royal Albert Hall I spotted Roger Glover outside a stage door. I’ve waited 32 years for this moment so, after apologising for interrupting, I finally had my chance to thank Roger for providing the soundtrack to my life. Roger was charming and gracious. We spoke for a minute or so about the bittersweet emotion of the night then parted wishing each other a good concert.
    The whole evening exceeded my expectations in every way. I was sat at the front in the arena and the sound and surroundings were perfect.
    The evening started with an introduction from Vicky Lord and Ian Paice. We were all moved by her eloquent words and many tears were shed as we listened in silence to this brave woman speaking of her life with and without Jon.
    The first half comprised a selection from Jon’s classical works, my favourites being from Pictured Within and Sarabande. I’ve known these pieces for so long but never before heard them performed live. It was exquisite!
    In the second half we enjoyed a wide variety of music from Jon’s rock portfolio all performed with skill and respect befitting the event. Glenn Hughes and Bruce Dickinson gave us a blistering version of Burn. Glenn’s voice was spot on and, when I closed my eyes, the 40 odd years since he recorded the song just fell away.
    The evening ended with an extended set by the masters, Deep Purple. We heard, Above & Beyond, Uncommon Man, Black Night and Perfect Strangers. All songs were arranged to blend the band and orchestra. Ian Gillan brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye with his memories of Jon and their past times at the Royal Albert Hall. The evening ended with almost everyone on stage for a joyful rendition of Hush with extensive improvised solos from Rick Wakeman, Micky Moody, Don Airey, Steve Morse and others. The players left the stage and we all made our way home knowing we had witnessed a very special event brought about by a combination of talent and love for a very uncommon man, Jon Lord.

  27. 27
    Andy says:

    Just got back home after attending the concert and it was a very fitting tribute to the great man.
    A very enjoyable evening all round except I have to say I was a little disappointed in Purple. They started the show off with two lesser numbers rather than steaming in with, say, Highway Star.
    Steve Morse for me doesn’t cut it I’m sorry to say, but the rest of the guys put in a good performance.
    Anyway, I think overall a great evening in honour of Jon Lord.

  28. 28
    Guttorm says:

    Amazing night full of highlights. In the spirit of the (Jon) Lord

  29. 29
    neil says:

    I thought Paul Weller gave two excellent performances of the Artwoods songs, with no real connection to heavy rock I felt genuinely touched he put himself forward to pay tribute to Jon .
    Glenn Hughes was good also, but his screeches still grind with me, as they always have with Mk3, he`s a good enough vocalist not to have to resort to self indulgence, I thought it spoilt “This Time Around”
    Let down of the evening was Bruce Dickinson, he dressed like he had just walked in from an
    allotment ! and just seemed to amble aimlessly around the stage . His vocals were not terrific either, should have just left this set to Glenn .
    Deep Purple were good, Ian`s vocals better than when I last saw them at The Roundhouse last year , When a Blind Man Cries, though spoilt by Steve, why does he not play the solo just pure Blues as it is on the record ! Was hoping for more leaning towards “In Rock” also considering it very much part of Jon`s best work.
    Orchestra parts very good if your familiar with Jon`s solo work, but if not at times a little self indulgent. All in all though a good evening, overpriced at £60 up in the circle, but a fitting tribute to Jon, perhaps not as great as I was hoping , but then what I was “really” hoping for , was a surprise showing by Ritchie Blackmore ! I guess I was just hoping for a bit too much
    .. Cheers

  30. 30
    Tommy H. says:

    I just came back to Germany a few hours ago and I’m still deeply impressed. What an evening … maybe the most brilliant musical moment I’ve ever witnessed. The classical stuff, performed in absolut perfection with a never reached orchestral version of Bourree … and then the rock-section … – the first highlight … Don Airey, Ian Paice and GLENN HUGHES … entered the stage to celebrate “You keep on moving” (duet with Bruce Dickinson), “Burn” and “This time around” together with the 89-piece Orion Orchestra and the “houseband” (u.a. Micky Moody, Rick Wakeman, Niel Murray…). Amazing vocals by Glenn! I thought: Now What? How will the band put a crown on it? They did! Probably the best performance (I saw) within the last ten years … it (the whole evening) was a dignified celebration and a honouring obeisance of the work and life of one of the biggest IN ROCK (and beyond): Jon Lord
    For me, one of the most fascinating musical moments ever … really great music … but also heart-touching and soul-moving moments and I was ore than one time close to tears … and above and beyond… .
    I’m blessed, having been a part of it! The 2014 Sunflower Jam – Celebrating Jon Lord. Thank you all!

  31. 31
    MacGregor says:

    neil@29- thanks for the warning regarding Hughes & his screeching/screaming, I was worried about that, why oh why does he continually do it?????
    I thought Dickinson’s voice is much more suited for the verse sections on Burn, than Hughes with his vocal being higher & singing out of the range of that part of the song. Although I am yet to hear Morse playing on ‘Blind Man’ I know what you mean. He is an 80’s guitarist, brilliant but not an old school blues rocker from the classic era! Cheers.

  32. 32
    Mr Dahlbom says:

    I came over from Sweden to attend this magical night…Jon has influenced my life since I was a kid and made me become a conductor myself.
    In 99 I happened to meet Jon and his wife on our way to hear Deep Purple perform in Gothenburg.
    Thank you all for making this moment very special!
    RIP Jon!

  33. 33
    GhostofCain says:

    Brilliant night. Bruce Dickinson’s duet with Glenn Hughes was possibly the highlight of a great evening (even though some of Glenn’s wailing was a tad irritating). Two of the best hard rock vocalists singing together and paying respect to Jon Lord.

  34. 34
    Purple Sitner says:

    Dear Daniel Miller (post no. 26)….thanks for your words…every single one hits what it was like…I made all the long way from Austria and I was over the moon…and Pictured Within made me cry…long live rock and roll…long live Deep Purple…I am about to see them twice this summer in Kufstein, Austria and Lubljana, Slovenia…greetings from Graz, Austria (remember Made in Europe partly recorded in my hometown…my first Purple gig at the age of 14)…keep on rocking….

  35. 35
    MacGregor says:

    I braced myself last night & watched the 3 songs with Hughes, the duet with Dickinson sounded very ordinary to me, both vocalist not in sync very well & it sounded a bit out in many ways! I couldn’t get through the This Time Around song, not my cup of tea! A wonderful song on the original album, but at this concert, Hughes was too annoying for me, I just wish he would keep it simple & forget all the ‘extra’ vocal bits that seem to annoy so many! But that is Glenn Hughes, he is what he is! Cheers.

  36. 36
    bowfekk says:

    The DVD has been anounced
    http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bruce-dickinson-glenn-hughes-deep-purple-featured-on-celebrating-jon-lord-at-the-royal-albert-hall/

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