I liked Jon Lord's contribution to the band more than what Ritchie Blackmore did. My favorite song is off the 'Come Taste the Band' record called 'Getting Tighter' and features Tommy Bolin on guitar. I really believe that Jon Lord served as the brick and mortar for Deep Purple. I thought as well that Jon Lord's musicality was restricted inside the demarcations of Deep Purple, which I suppose could explain why he took on more involved projects outside of the group. Jon Lord could certainly play a mean Hammond and I'd put him at the top along with Melvin Seals (just my personal taste of course).
Jon Lord Deep Purple
Sad to hear of his passing from a battle of pancreatic cancer at 71.
Jon will always be remembered RIP.
Jon will always be remembered RIP.