Deep Purple Releasing DVD Of Jon Lord Farewell Performance

(hennemusic) Deep Purple will release "Live At The NEC", a 2002 concert recorded at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, next month. Due August 26, the DVD captures a landmark September 14, 2002 show at the venue as the group bid farewell to founding member and keyboard legend Jon Lord, who would retire from the lineup less than a week later.

"Live At The NEC" features both of the band's keyboard players - Lord and Don Airey, who would go on to take over his duties. Airey serves as the principal keyboardist throughout the show, culminating in a solo before the lights drop, with Lord appearing for "Perfect Strangers." The two share keyboard duties for the rest of the night, in a fitting passing-of-the-torch moment.

Lord passed away July 16, 2012 at the age of 71 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. With Purple, the keyboardist co-wrote many of the group's legendary songs, including "Smoke On The Water," and played with many bands and musicians throughout his career.

In addition to the concert, "Live At The NEC" also includes bonus interviews with vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover. Read more including the tracklisting here.

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