Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord passed away today at the age of 71.

An official press statement reads: “It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jon Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism toady, Monday 16 July, at the London Clinic after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.”

Lord was a founding member of Deep Purple and co-wrote many of the hard rock/metal pioneers’ songs including the classic hit “Smoke On The Water”. He was also renowned for his fusion of rock and classical music, such as his Orchestral work “Concerto For Group And Orchestra”. The composition was first performed at Royal Albert Hall with Deep Purple and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969. The performance was reprised in 1999, again at the Royal Albert Hall, with the London Symphony Orchestra and Deep Purple. Throughout his career Lord also worked with Whitesnake, Paice, Ashton And Lord, The Artwoods and Flower Pot Men.

The statement from Lord’s representatives concluded very simply with “Jon passes from Darkness to Light”.