Celebrating Jon Lord out on September 26

Celebrating Jon Lord at Royal Albert Hall last April will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and CD by earMUSIC on September 26, 2014. It marks the 45th anniversary of the world debut performance of Jon Lord‘s Concerto for Group and Orchestra at the same venue in 1969.

Featuring Deep Purple, Rick Wakeman, Bruce Dickinson, Glenn Hughes, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Paul Weller and many more, the release comprises the full two-set concert from April 4 2014.

Celebrating Jon Lord was the brain child of Jacky Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice. She also runs the annual Sunflower Jam, which started in London in 2006 and has seen a string of high profile music alumni – including Jon – every year giving their efforts to the cause of cancer relief.

After Jon sadly passed away in 2012, plans soon evolved for a celebratory evening of his music. Considering the amount of respect and love expressed by anybody who had worked or played with or simply met Jon, it is not a surprise that the 2014 Sunflower Jam turned into an evening dedicated totally to his music.

The night turned out to be an historical moment in music. A full symphony orchestra conducted by Paul Mann, custodian of Jon’s compositional works, and as many of Jon Lord’s musical friends as could be possibly crammed into two sets of his music. The Royal Albert Hall was of course sold out for the event.

JonLord.org is preparing an in-depth exclusive interview series with Paul Mann, on his role in assisting the Sunflower Jam crew get the celebration concert on its feet. Watch this space.

Every musician who played at Celebrating Jon Lord left a precious mark – including Deep Purple’s 55 minute finale, the DP Mk III songs played by Paice with Glenn Hughes and Bruce Dickinson including Burn with Rick Wakeman of Yes and Don Airey battling time, a couple of Paice Ashton Lord tracks, ex-members Moody, Marsden and Murray of Whitesnake, Steve Balsamo (who sang in Jon’s touring band and on his studio recording of the Concerto), as well as members of The Temperance Movement and the “modfather” Paul Weller performing tracks from Jon’s first band The Artwoods.

The evening was a full on musical affair – with the first set focused on Jon’s (semi-)classical works and the second set celebrating Jon’s rockier side. Everybody attending the show left the venue with an expression that clearly said “one day I will be able to say I was there”… Now everybody will be able to see why.

Celebrating Jon Lord to be released as 2DVD, Blu-Ray, 1CD “The Composer”, 2CD “The Rocker” and Boxset by earMUSIC on September 26 2014. Pre-release orders of Celebrating Jon Lord to be taken shortly. Watch this space.

Read more:
How we celebrated Jon Lord – full setlist and artist credits.
Nigel Hopkins remembers RAH: Humbling and very emotional.
2007 Sunflower Jam report: Jon Lord played for the first time again with Deep Purple.
2011 Sunflower Jam report: Jon Lord’s outstanding performances with Joe Bonamassa and Rick Wakeman and his solo set.